SURPRISE package Todd Kurtz is determined to continue his rapid rise with Pirates and admits: I want to stay at Wimborne Road.

Kurtz is hoping to cause a shock by earning an extended deal with the reigning Elite League champions.

The Australian rookie has surpassed expectations since arriving on a short-term basis at the start of the 2012 season.

Kurtz has been widely tipped to make way for Mateusz Szczepaniak in an early-season reshuffle – with Poole Coastal Aluminium likely to have more team-building points to play with when Sam Masters qualifies for a new average.

But the 19-year-old has given Pirates chiefs food for thought by delivering a series of eye-catching efforts in the skull and crossbones.

Kurtz further enhanced his CV with his latest performances during the Good Friday double-header against Coventry.

His fast starting failed to yield any points at Brandon but it helped the Aussie secure seven paid points in the return evening fixture.

Kurtz, who has proved popular with the Wimborne Road crowd, is keen to get the chance to continue showcasing his skills in Dorset.

He told the Daily Echo: “I just told everybody that I would come here and give 100 per cent – and that is all you can do.

“Sometimes, it works and, sometimes, it doesn’t. I just put my head down and go for it.

“Hopefully, I can stay in the team a bit longer than expected.

“I have got Matt Ford to thank for the learning experience – for giving me the opportunity to come to Poole in the first place.

“I have really enjoyed it. I love it at Poole and, hopefully, I can stay here.”

Discussing his mixed fortunes against Coventry, Kurtz said: “It was a bit of an up and down meeting at Coventry.

“I was in a few points-scoring positions and threw it away, so I was a bit disappointed with that.

“But I told Matt on the way back to Poole that I would make it up to him in the evening meeting so, hopefully, I did a good job for him.”

Kurtz’s evening display against the Bees included a thrilling heat-14 5-1 behind Darcy Ward. He described it as “one of my career highlights”.

He thanked Ward for guiding him to second place and added: “It was a good result and there is nothing better than coming round to the Poole fans after a 5-1.”