RICHARD Lawson led his Poole Pirates side to a convincing 56-34 triumph over the Roger Warnes Transport All Stars in his testimonial.

Lawson, immediately after thanking the crowd for their support, was offered a contract to ride for Pirates for 2025.

The man of the moment scored a paid 13 from five rides and was only beaten by young Oxford rider Ashton Boughen.

Lawson told the crowd: “It has been a long few months and a lot of work has gone into making this day possible and seeing you all guys out there makes me very, very thankful and it is pulling at my heart strings to be fair.

“It is quite emotional I but really appreciate it and there are loads of people involved in putting this meeting on and like Nigel (Leahy) has said all night, my wife Chantelle has been working her arse off.

(Image: Richard Crease)

“We were up to three o'clock this morning, finishing things off, it has just been a lot of hard work.

“I can't thank Thermohome enough and David from Wessex Marine.

“I would be lost without that bloke for sure, and whilst they are the main sponsors there is also the heat sponsors, rider sponsors, the tyre guys, it has just been totally overwhelming, and I can't thank them enough.”

‘Rocketman’ Lawson has been taken to the hearts of the Poole faithful since he signed in 2022.

While cheers for him were still ringing around the stadium, he was presented with his 2025 contract, admitting: “Since the first wheels turned here my career has just gone upwards and that's a lot to do with everyone involved in this club and just being here every week, the confidence just grows and I just don't want to be anywhere else.”

(Image: Richard Crease)

Promoter Danny Ford said on the Pirates unprecedented early signing: “We don't even know what the points limit is going to be for next year yet but my Dad and I were discussing potential things and we just couldn't see a team, no matter what the points is, be it high or low without Richard in it.

“We just wanted to get his signature as early as possible.

“He is a man in demand, he is the best rider in the league as it stands at the minute and so to have him back in 2025 is the right thing.

“It is good to see just how much the Poole supporters have got behind him and I would just like to thank everyone for making him so welcome.”

In the testimonial meeting itself, Poole flew out of the blocks, taking four 5-1s in the opening five heats.

(Image: Richard Crease)

The hosts went on to take three more 5-1s across the remaining heats, but the highlight of the meeting was heat 11, featuring ‘Silver Fox’ Scott Nicholls and Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris.

Nicholls led for much of the heat but Bomber dug deep and overhauled his senior to snatch victory on his way to a perfect maximum.

Harris then went on to claim the special Dash for Cash heat 16 big money race.

Poole Wessex Marine Pirates: 56: Chris Harris: 12 (3,3,3,3); Richard Lawson: 11+2 (2',2,3,2',2); Ben Cook: 10+1 (3,3,1',3); Zach Cook: 9+1 (1,2',3,3,0); Charles Wright: 8+3 (2',2',2,2'); Adam Ellis: 5+1 (3,R,0,2'); Sam Hagon: 1 (0,1,0,0).

Roger Warnes All Stars: 34: Ashton Boughen: 8+1 (2',3,0,0,3); Josh Pickering: 7 (1,1,3,1,1); Lewis Kerr: 6+1 (3,0,1',2); Craig Cook: 5 (1,2,1,1); Troy Batchelor: 4+1 (1,0,2,1'); Scott Nicholls: 3 (0,1,2,0); Tobias Thomsen: 1+1 (F,0,0,1').