POOLE Pirates are in a very strong position as they aim to retain the BSN Series title after their victory away at Scunthorpe Scorpions in the first leg of the final.

Zach Cook inspired the Poole side as he stood in as captain in the absence of his brother Ben, scoring an impressive five-ride maximum.

Pirates seemed to have all the answers to their hosts, who managed to win just two heats across the meeting.

Richard Lawson also went unbeaten in his five outings, while Tom Brennan dropped just one point and guest Charles Wright was unbeaten in his final three.

The entire side contributed as Pirates will defend a 53-37 lead in the second leg at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.

Poole began the meeting well, with Lawson winning the first heat to move into a 4-2 lead.

The hosts hit back with a maximum score in the second, before a 4-2 win for Pirates, led through by Cook, saw the scores levelled.

(Image: Richard Crease)

Tom Brennan won the tied third heat, before Pirates moved into a lead that they would not relinquish.

Lawson and Sam Hagon took the maximum points from the fourth, before Cook led Wright for a maximum score in the seventh, after a tied sixth heat.

Scorpions closed the gap to four points in the eight, with a 5-1 win, before Brennan took the win in the shared ninth heat.

But Cook once again led Wright for a 5-1 victory for Poole in the tenth, and after back-to-back tied heats in the 11th and 12th, Lawson and Brennan took the 13th heat 5-1.

Cook won the 14th after Vinnie Foord was disqualified after falling, before Cook rounded out the night by leading Lawson over for a maximum in the 15th.

Cook said: “I just went out there and done what I could do and gave it everything and yeah, it was a really good night personally and obviously all the team did an awesome job as well and leaves us with a good lead for Wednesday.

“I had plenty of speed in the bikes and that always helps and you can put it in places where you wouldn't normally and makes life a lot easier.”

Lawson added: “I didn't expect that kind of lead.

“I knew we would be definitely in the mix, you know, and looking for a win but everyone impressed today and we have a strong lead now to set us up nicely for the final.

On riding under Zach Cook as captain, Lawson smiled and said: “It was a pleasure.

“He took on the job well. He won the coin toss and got a fifteen-point maximum. What else can you ask for?”

SCUNTHORPE 37: Luke Harrison: 12 (3,2,3,2,1,1); Connor Mountain: 8+1 (2,3,2',1,0); Jake Allen: 6 (2,0,2,2); Nathan Ablitt: 4+3 (2',0,1',1'); Kyle Howarth: 4+1 (1',1,2,0); Simon Lambert: 3+2 (0,1,1',1'); Ashton Boughen: 0 (F,0,0,RS).

POOLE 53: Zach Cook: 15 (3,3,3,3,3); Richard Lawson: 14+1 (3,3,3,3,2'); Tom Brennan: 10+1 (3,2,3,2'); Charles Wright: 8+2 (1,2',2',3); Sam Hagon: 3+1 (1,2',0,0); Tobias Thomsen: 2+1 (1,1',0,0); Vinnie Foord: 1 (0,0,1,FD).