FORMER Pirates hero Pete Smith has told the class of 2012 that a traditional team mentality will be crucial to Elite League title glory.

Smith believes that solid scoring throughout the line-up remains just as vital in speedway as it was during his 1960s and 70s heyday.

Turbo Twins Chris Holder and Darcy Ward scored big points as Pirates twice downed Coventry in a glorious Good Friday double.

And Poole Coastal Aluminium’s less high-profile riders, including Todd Kurtz and Sam Masters, also looked promising, playing their part in Friday’s winning start to the club’s Elite League title defence.

Ex-Poole skipper Smith knows what it takes to succeed at Wimborne Road having amassed 3,427.5 points during a fine career with the Dorset club.

And he insists that good returns from the top, middle and lower order will be key – as displayed during the club’s recent Elite Shield triumph.

Smith told the Daily Echo: “Like anything, it has got to be a team thing.

“When you look at speedway, that is something you don’t want to see it roll away from.

“Without teams, these guys wouldn’t be individuals, and it has got to have that aspect to it.

“The boys at the bottom have got to get encouragement from the boys at the top to get them buzzing – then you have got the team and then you win.

“Your top guys can go and win every race but if your bottom reserves don’t do well, they are the guys that can lose you the match.

“It is all about the team. That is how I was brought up in the sport.

“Reserves win matches and they always have done.

“If you look at it on another score and not so much at the guy getting 15 points every meeting, if you have got a continual good average all the way through the squad, home and away, then you are going to win the league.

“It is all about that and having a bit of luck to go with it as well.”

Smith remains a keen Pirates follower and he supports the club through a sponsorship package with his Verwood Ford car dealership.

He added: “I don’t get down there as much as I would like.

“But I keep up to date with it from talking to colleagues. The customers come in and tell me how well they are doing, if I haven’t been able to see it, and I read the reports in the Echo.”