SPEEDWAY legend Greg Hancock helped keep alive Pirates’ play-off dream and then insisted the underdogs could still get their paws on the silverware.

Poole bounced back from successive losses at the hands of Peterborough and Lakeside to defeat arch rivals Swindon 49-41 in front of a bumper Bank Holiday Monday crowd at Wimborne Road.

Veteran Hancock, 43, led the way with an outstanding 11 paid 12-point haul as Pirates produced a timely performance for the Sky Sports cameras.

The two-times world champion, drafted in as a replacement for injured Poole captain Chris Holder, delivered three wins in his best display so far in the skull and crossbones.

Pirates’ victory saw them close to within three points of fourth-placed Lakeside, with Thursday’s trip to Swindon followed by a key home clash with the Hammers on Monday and a trip to Belle Vue on September 9.

And Hancock, who had not appeared in the Elite League since riding for Reading in 2007, is hoping this could be the year to finally end his search for a British top-flight title, having never landed the trophy.

Hancock said: “I have never had a league title in England and I would like nothing more than to win something like that. It would be awesome.

“That was probably one of the biggest carrots when Matt asked me to ride for Poole – that they are underdogs and that there is a shot at it. And if we can get to the play-offs, then I am sure we can go all the way. I am riding with that right now.”

Discussing his own impact since his high-profile signing, Hancock said: “I haven’t really found the form yet that I wanted to find here, but it is getting better every time.

“We are making small changes so that I can be comfortable on my bike and win some more races.

“I have ridden all these tracks so many times and you think you know them, but it is like coming back to school again. You have to de-tune and re-tune yourself to these kind of tracks. It is an education.”

Josh Grajczonek (8+1) was deservedly named Pirates’ rider of the night for his eye-catching efforts against Swindon.

Hancock added: “In the meetings I have ridden here with Josh, he has been amazing.

“He never gives up and he got a valuable point for us at one stage in the meeting (in a thrilling finish to heat 14) and those are the kind of points you need to get to win meetings.

“It is great to have people like him and Rohan Tungate in the team.”