Havelock says Pirates have "great confidence"

POOLE co-team manager Gary Havelock says his side go into the Grand Final with “great confidence”.

The Wessex Marine Pirates comfortably progressed past Edinburgh with a 39-33 win in the Cab Direct Championship Play-Off semi on Friday night.

Already holding a whopping 24-point lead from the first leg, the result was never in doubt before the meeting was abandoned after 12 races due to rain. 

Kyle Newman was the unlikely star for the Pirates with an excellent paid 14 on a tricky wet surface. 

Havelock said: “A thoroughly professional job done. We had a massive lead but with the track conditions, that can sometimes make you come unstuck. 

“The boys dug in early on. I think the 5-1 in Heat 2 was really massive. Kyle 'Zmarzlik' tonight was sensational. 

“The reserves have been great for us. Slater has gashed his hand really badly. It’s his right hand so hopefully he’ll be OK.

“I believe it’s the first time Edinburgh have been beaten at home this season.”

Next up for Poole is Redcar in the BSN Series final on Tuesday and Wednesday night. 

Then it will be either Scunthorpe or Glasgow in the Championship Grand Final. 

He added: “I don’t particularly worry about what the other teams think.

“I’m confident in this team that when we perform, we can beat anybody on any track on any given day. We go into the Grand Final with great confidence.”

Next on BSN: Monday night - Ipswich v Belle Vue, ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Play-Off semi-final, first leg. 7pm.

Words and images: Phil Lanning