Comeback king Covatti hailed by Ford as Pirates go top

Danny Ford hailed comeback king Nico Covatti as the power-packed reserve helped propel the No1 Carpet Cleaning Poole Pirates back to the top of the SGB Premiership.

Covatti bagged a paid 12 return in his first top-flight meeting since a sickening crash with team-mate Richie Worrall on June 27.

The Argentine racer suffered a serious chest injury, with Worrall breaking an ankle, and was hospitalised for several days with breathing difficulties.

Covatti, though, showed he had completely recovered by top-scoring alongside Jack Holder, Nicolai Klindt and Josh Grajczonek as the Pirates saw off Ipswich 48-42 at Wimborne Road last night.

Ford said: “It never ceases to amaze me how resilient these riders are.

“Less than a month ago, Nico was involved in a horrifying crash and was left struggling to breath.

“Yet last night you’d never have known he had suffered a serious injury at all. He was absolutely superb and, alongside Ricky Wells, I believe we have two of the most powerful reserves in the league.

“It was a superb meeting with some great racing between two very good teams who I think will be right in the mix at the end of the season.”

The Witches were without number one Chris Harris, who is involved in Speedway of Nations final preparation in Russia, and guest Scott Nicholls could only muster paid five in his place.

And although Brit Danny King plundered 13 from six rides, the Pirates’ consistency from Klindt (10+2), Holder (10+2), Grajczonek (10) and Covatti proved the difference.

In the Midland & Southern Development League meeting that followed the Pirates’ clash, meanwhile, Weymouth went down 23-13 to Exeter.

Read the full report from last night’s meetings here.