PIRATES co-promoter Matt Ford hailed a captain's performance from Edward Kennett, which helped Poole scrape into the Craven Shield Final.

The Hastings-based star bagged 10 paid 11 points at Lakeside last night, as the Dorset side notched 29 overall.

This meant Poole reached the final by having the highest point average over the group stages with 40.5 - beating Peterborough's by half a point.

But, while every point was pivotal, Kennett's spectacular return to form gave Pirates plenty to shout about.

With Grand Prix giants Jason Crump and Bjarne Pedersen in Germany, Ford was delighted to see the 21-year-old step up and give Poole the leadership they needed.

He said: "Eddie was just outstanding - he rode beyond his years last night.

"The boy was made captain and I was saying to his father that it brought the best out of him.

"Eddie was speaking to the boys all night and doing everything he could to help out.

"He paired well with Troy and when Batch woke up after his first two rides, they both looked very good together."

The duo could have had an even better night, had Batchelor enjoyed some luck in race five.

With Kennett clearing off into the distance, the Aussie tried to round Peterborough duo, Ulrich Ostergaard and Claus Vissing, to join him.

But Batchelor appeared to catch Ostergaard's back wheel coming out of turn two and did incredibly well to stay aboard his machine.

The Pirates youngster instantly raised his hands in protest towards referee Paul Carrington.

His appeals fell on deaf ears, though, and Ford felt the race should have been restarted.

He added: "I don't agree with the referee's decision but it was probably a hard one to call from where he was sat.

"In fairness, Troy was on the outside and he was the one attacking the Peterborough riders, rather than leading.

"But the race deserved to be pulled back and Troy should have had a second chance."

Despite this decision going against Pirates, Ford was delighted to see his side reach their third straight Shield final.

He added: "It was hard work but the main thing is that we're in a final.

"Let's enjoy it for what it is - we're certainly not going to be the favourites, as everyone will fancy Coventry.

"But with this format, you can never tell."