Darcy Ward back as Poole Pirates go top of SGB Championship table

The 97-83 victory on aggregate sees Pirates pick up three league points, moving them ahead of Oxford Cheetahs on points difference with four meetings of the campaign remaining.

Pirates had a very special guest in the pits in Darcy Ward. The 31-year-old fans' favourite spent four years with Poole, forging a memorable partnership with fellow Aussie Chris Holder.

Ward’s career was heartbreakingly cut short in 2015, when he suffered spinal injuries after a crash whilst riding in Poland, which left him unable to walk.

He took the adulation of the Wimborne Road faithful as he came out onto track with son Charlie during the interval, before Poole went on to see off the challenge of the Bears.

Pirates trailed early on, before pulling clear with Steve Worrall (12+1) top scoring.

Redcar were a man light, missing number one and captain Charles Wright due to an injury suffered in Monday’s British Final.

They operated rider replacement for him, while Connor Coles came in as a guest at reserve for the injured Jake Mulford.

Pirates were still without Adam Roynon due to a shoulder problem, with teenager Joe Thompson drafted in to replace him.

With the reverse meeting between these two sides ending 45-45, Pirates winning in a super heat, the aggregate bonus point was all to play for.

Redcar got off to a dream start. Erik Riss and former Pirate Danyon Hume combined for an opening heat maximum, Richard Lawson struggling at the back and finishing last in a race at Wimborne Road for the first time all season.

Anders Rowe impressed to win a shared heat two, before Riss led again in heat three.

However, this time the German was reeled in. Ben Cook carved a route past him on the home straight of lap two, with Zach Cook very nearly following suit on the final bend of the race, only for Riss to shut the door on him just in time.

Danny King, who spent the previous two seasons as Pirates captain before departing, gated well before securing victory in a shared heat four.

After the track grade, Pirates put their foot to the floor with four straight 5-1s.

The first saw Ben and Zach Cook again involved in a thrilling battle. Ben Cook battled with Hume before edging in front, Zach eventually also passing the Bears number two on the final lap.

Lawson put his earlier woe behind him by getting himself to the front of the pack in heat six, where he was joined by Kyle Newman, who did well to get ahead of King, who slid off in third. The result was awarded.

Pirates then enjoyed a slice of good fortune. With Worrall a clear leader in heat seven, Rowe overtook Connor Bailey to move up into third, before Riss’s bike packed up, allowing the Great Britain youngster into second, Pirates going 26-16 ahead on the night.

The run continued in heat eight, Rowe brought in as a reserve switch in place of Thompson, and combining with Newman for another 5-1.

Bears stopped the rot in heat nine, but it could have been so much better. Boss Gavin Parr opted for a tactical substitute, Riss replacing Jason Edwards to link up with King. The pair were on for a maximum, only for Riss to be caught napping by Ben Cook, before then being pipped on the line by Zach Cook as the spoils were shared.

The next two heats also saw the scores shared. Newman had a worrying looking spill in heat 10, flying off on the back straight, but fortunately made it back to the pits on his feet.

Lawson eased to victory in the re-run, before Worrall then secured his second race win of the night.

Mechanical gremlins for Ben Cook hampered Pirates as Redcar kept their slim hopes alive with a maximum in heat 12.

But Poole got back on track with a shared heat 13, Hume flying into the air fence on the final bend.

Riss reached the flag first as the spoils were again shared, meaning Pirates needed at least a 3-3 in heat 15 to go top of the table.

The German then came out for his seventh ride of the night, but found himself in the fence after first bend bunching.

Poole dominated the re-run, Worrall and Lawson storming to victory.

Pirates 52 (97): Lawson 10+1, Newman 6+1, B Cook 8, Z Cook 6+2, Worrall 12+1, Rowe 8+3, Thompson 2+1.

Redcar 38 (83): Hume 5+2, Bailey 6, Riss 9+1, King 12, Edwards 5+1, Coles 1+1.