POOLE are BSN Series champions once again after defeating Redcar in Wednesday night's Grand Final, second leg in Dorset.
In a repeat of last year's Final won by the Bears, the Pirates overturned a six-point deficit from Tuesday night's first leg on Teesside with a 52-38 win on the night, which gave them a relatively comfortable eight-point aggregate triumph. But Redcar put up stout resistance for much of the return encounter and were still clinging onto an overall lead when they trailed by only 22-20 after seven races. But the tie turned on a mid-match burst by Poole, which yielded 14 points in three races between heats 8 and 10. Pirates manager Neil Middleditch said: “Early doors, we just didn’t seem to have that much fire in us. I had a chat with them and Zach (Cook) was screaming at them being the captain, and just saying we need to get some guts going, and they responded brilliantly. “We got there in the end, but fair play to Redcar for a fantastic performance. My boys were brilliant and big up to Havvy (Gary Havelock) who has been a big part of this trophy win. I’m very, very pleased.” Bears boss Gavin Parr said: “To get them to Heat 14, I can’t ask for much more from most of them. They’ve all given a good shift and put in 110 per cent. Unfortunately, as we knew from the start, Poole are excellent, they’re a brilliant team and they’re not where they are for nothing." Picture: TAYLOR LANNING
