PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch conceded that Coventry were on course for the treble after his side and Swindon were destroyed by the Bees at Blunsdon last night.

The Dorset club were left trailing in third place after two legs of the Craven Shield final when Coventry chalked up 45 points to beat Swindon Robins (35) and Poole Castle Cover (28).

It means the Bees are well clear on aggregate with 85 points in front of Swindon (68) and Pirates (63) ahead of tonight's third and final leg at Brandon (8pm).

Middleditch said: "On their form at the moment, it looks as though they are going to make a clean sweep.

"We know how that feels ourselves but unfortunately not this season.

"Coventry Bees are just too powerful. They are on the crest of a wave.

"They have got team spirit, great strength in depth and are worthy league champions.

"Coventry are going for the treble and I can't see anyone stopping them."

Poole lost five of their first six heats last night, leaving them 18 points adrift of leaders Coventry at the half way stage of the meeting.

Middleditch said: "We went out to keep close to Coventry and Swindon early but we always knew it would be hard and the Bees, in particular, went away from us.

"We didn't get down though. The boys kept plugging away, particularly when Troy Batchelor beat Leigh Adams.

"That is a massive scalp for Troy, beating Leigh on his home track because it is not often Leigh gets beaten around here.

"It was a big boost for him. He hadn't made any changes to his bike after his first two rides when he struggled so I said you've got to try something', he did and it worked."

Poole are only five points adrift of Swindon on aggregate, so could yet snatch runners-up spot.

Middleditch said: "Second place will be small consolation for the riders and our fans.

"But we are going to Coventry to try and get second place overall."