REACTION: PIRATES GLIDE INTO SEMI-FINALS

POOLE glided into the semi-finals of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup with an aggregate 104-73 victory over Oxford, but their second win against the Thames Valley side was marred by the loss of Fraser Bowes, who crashed heavily whilst leading heat seven.

Having just returned to the side following a workshop incident in which a heavy spring struck him in the eye, Bowes was showing the form that the Poole management had always believed he possessed. After backing up Richard Lawson in heat one to secure an opening 5-1 for the Pirates, the roles were reversed in heat six. Bowes looked set to take the win, but he hit a troublesome patch on the first bend of the fourth lap — where other riders had also been struggling — and was launched into the air fence.
The luckless Bowes was taken to hospital complaining of lower back pain, although he remained in good spirits, and it is hoped that his injuries will not prove to be as serious as they first appeared. Confirmation is, however, still awaited.
The track underwent radical remedial work following the incident, with the meeting delayed for around an hour and, whilst promoter Dan Ford was quick to apologise afterwards, the circuit did ride much better once the work had been completed. Ford took to the microphone and told the crowd:

“It has been a really challenging evening and I just want to say thank you so much to everyone. I’m really, really sorry for tonight. I’m so disappointed in what we put out there in terms of the track preparation. No excuses — we will put our hands up — we absolutely got it wrong. Full credit to the riders for doing what they could in racing in those conditions. Of course, we are sending our messages of support to Fraser, but yes, we are just really sorry and would ask you all to stick with us. We are going to get it sorted.”

Whilst skipper Zach Cook scooped the Rider of the Night award — not least for his ruthless move on Sam Masters in heat eleven — Richard Lawson dropped just a single point to an opponent and Lewis Kerr reached double figures with 10 points from four outings, perhaps the biggest winner of the evening was youngster Charlie Southwick, who marked his Championship debut by getting on the scoresheet.
The Poole youngster was unfortunate in his opening ride, finishing third, but at one stage he crossed the inside line with both wheels — a disqualifiable offence — and was denied the point amid jeers from the crowd when the decision was announced. However, in a heat twelve that took four attempts to complete, and after falling at the second attempt, he passed Senna Summers at the first turn and followed Lewis Kerr home for a paid second place, much to the delight of both the fans and the rider himself. He enthused:

“Well, I’m really happy with how things went. It’s boosted my confidence, knowing I can mix it with the big boys now. I can carry that into the National League. I knew I was under pressure having to replace Cooper [Rushen], because he always goes so well round here. But yes, I’m happy with the way things went. It was a really special night. I’m not going to lie — starting my Championship racing with Poole, the club I have grown up with, is just brilliant.”

Poole join Plymouth, Berwick and Redcar in the semi-finals.
Scorers
POOLE 55 (104) -   Richard Lawson 13+1 (3,3,2,3,2');  Zach Cook 12 (2,3,3,1,3); William Cairns 11 (3,1,3,R,1,3);  Lewis Kerr 10 (2,3,3,2);  Kyle Newman 6+2 (1',1,1,2',1);   Fraser Bowes 2+1 (2',FD,IRR,IRR);   Charlie Southwick 1+1 (X0,0,RS,1')
OXFORD 34 (73) -  Nick Morris 10 (3,F,2,3,2);  Sam Masters 8 (1,2,2,2,1);  Anders Rowe 6 (3,2,1,R);  Mitch McDiarmid 6 (FD,0,2,1,3,0);  Senna Summers 3+1 (2,RS,1',RS,0,0,RS);  Dayle Wood 1 (0,FD,1,RS,0,RS,FD,XE,0)

Meeting Report and full Heat details

Photo credit: Liam Cockwell