GARY Havelock was left pleased after Poole Pirates “knuckled down” to progress past Edinburgh Monarchs and into the Knockout Cup semi-finals.

The two sides were separated by just one point on aggregate after four heats of the second leg, Poole getting off to a slow start at Armadale.

But Pirates rallied to make their way through with relative ease, a maximum for Edinburgh in heat 15 when the tie was already settled adding some gloss to the score for Alex Harkess’s side, Poole winning 92-87 overall.

Havelock, who was in the Poole pits alongside Danny Ford, said: “I’m really pleased.

“Only having nine points (lead) from the home match could’ve been really tricky because Edinburgh are usually pretty good on their home track.

“But the boys have really applied themselves.

“We’ve knuckled down and done what was needed.”