PIRATES boss Neil Middleditch gave a glowing assessment of his Australian triumvirate after their heroic efforts were acknowledged by the Poole faithful.

Captain Davey Watt and Turbo Twins Chris Holder and Darcy Ward all collected gongs at the club’s annual presentation evening on Saturday.

Headline-grabbers Holder and Ward made Pirates history by becoming the first duo to share the Poole rider-of-the-year award.

After starring in the club’s Elite League treble campaign in 2011, they polled an equal number of votes from Pirates supporters.

Skipper Watt, who rode through the pain of a broken collarbone to complete the season, was a deserving winner of the team-man-of-the-year accolade.

Discussing Holder and Ward, team manager Middleditch said: “I think that was a forgone conclusion.

“You couldn’t separate them on the track and you couldn’t separate them off the track. That was a just reward.

“Sometimes, Davey was a little bit overshadowed by the Darcy and Chris partnership, but he has certainly been a huge driving force in the team.

“Even when he was hurt, he was in the pits all the time to help out the boys. He played a real captain’s role.”

Pirates chief Matt Ford said Holder and Ward had provided “some of the best ever speedway racing witnessed at Poole”.

Promoter Ford added: “They have been the perfect guys to work with and I feel extremely privileged to have seen them ride together.”

Ward was also named riders’ rider of the year, while Dennis Andersson was best newcomer.

More than 200 fans, sponsors, riders and members of the club’s management celebrated Pirates’ Elite League, Knockout Cup and Best Pairs triumphs at the presentation evening at the Premier Inn, Westover Road, Bournemouth.