DANNY Ford says “there were a few fighting words” before and during Poole Pirates’ Knockout Cup semi-final against Scunthorpe Scorpions, adding: “We’ve certainly shut them up now.”

Pirates’ two-year reign as cup holders was ended in the final by Scunthorpe last year.

However, Poole look set to reach a fourth final in a row, cruising to a 60-29 win over the Scorpions in the first leg of the semis at Wimborne Road on Wednesday night.

At the first track grading pause after heat four, water was applied to the track, only for the bowser to malfunction and briefly flood an area between bends three and four.

Scorpions team boss and promoter Godfrey, who is also chairman of British Speedway, came out to inspect the damage and got into a heated debate with Pirates promoter Ford on the centre green.

Referee Chris Durno also intervened, before all three went off smiling after work had been done to rectify the issue.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Ford said: “I know there were a few fighting words before the meeting and maybe perhaps during it! But we’ve certainly shut them up now.

“Me and Rob get on great. We’re both on the British speedway board of directors and there were a was an exchange of words when we had the mechanical problems, but we’ve got a lot of respect for each other.

“It’s still only half the job done. We’ve got to go there and get a result, whenever they actually organise that. Hopefully soon.”

He added: “It was a frustrating night for us on the machinery side of things. The spray bar broke and then we should’ve taken it off the track but didn’t. Apologies for that delay.

“We were worried all day in case the rain came, so we perhaps didn’t water the track as much as we would’ve liked to. But then the rain didn’t really come too heavy, so it dried out a little bit.

“But I think under the circumstances, it rode quite well and certainly our boys were happy.

“The boys were absolutely fantastic, so hats off to them. After a stop-start meeting, it’s going to be really hard to stay in the race mindset.”

Discussing the large winning margin, Ford said: “I can’t believe it. I think Scunny are probably one of the best teams in the league.

“So to go there with a 31-point lead, that’s amazing.”