POOLE have been crowned Cab Direct Championship champions for the fourth time in five seasons – after a Super Heat victory over Glasgow in Friday night's Play-Off Final.
The Pirates took a 12-point lead with them to Ashfield following a 51-39 victory in the opening encounter at Wimborne Road on Wednesday. But after a thrilling, topsy-turvy second leg, the sides finished level on aggregate at the end of 15 races after Tigers' Chris Harris produced a stunning last-to-first ride to thwart a potential title-winning 5-1 from Pirates pair Zach Cook and Richard Lawson. The same duo were not to be denied in the Super Heat, however, trapping first and second and leading home Harris and Kyle Howarth to seal the deal for Poole. Cook said afterwards: “I said at the start of the season that I wanted to emulate my brother (Ben) and win the treble as they don't come around too often, but I am truly lost for words as to how we settled this trophy. If there is one way you want to win it, then it’s that way. “Everything was riding on that, and if we were going to do something we had to do it over the next minute. We had a game plan and we just told each other, this is the time to do it. “So much pressure and a long four laps, but in fairness all the lads dug deep this whole Final and the club deserves it. They put a lot of effort into us and are the most successful club, which is why everyone hates us!” PICTURE: TAYLOR LANNING
