Poole Pirates defeat reign Championship title holders Glasgow Tigers

Scores were level after five heats, but five heats later, Poole led by 14 points, a lead they would not relinquish.

Richard Lawson top scored with a perfect 15-point maximum, while there was also a notable contribution of eight points from teenage reserve Vinnie Foord.

Pirates move seven points clear at the top of the table, having also claimed a 101-79 aggregate win.

Poole were back up to full strength with Tobias Thomsen returning from the ankle injury he suffered in last week’s win over Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Last season’s Pirates captain Steve Worrall was not available for his return to Wimborne Road due to illness, with Ben Barker coming in to guest for Glasgow.

After Lawson won a shared opening heat, Pirates got their noses in front after a notable result in heat two.

Foord, 18, claimed his first race win in Pirates colours, shooting out of the gate and getting clear.

Vinnie Foord claimed his first Championship race wins (Image: Richard Crease)

Glasgow hit straight back with a surprise maximum to defeat the Cook brothers. Matic Ivacic, making his first appearance at Wimborne Road, took the chequered flag in an impressive ride alongside Leon Flint.

The result of race four was awarded, Tom Brennan well out in front, as Jason Garrad fell at the back. He would withdraw from the rest of the meeting with a collarbone injury sustained in the fall.

Chris ‘Bomber’ Harris then showed his speed in a shared heat, coming across the line in 58.66 seconds, the fastest an away rider has managed all season at the Dorset venue.

Poole got back in front as Lawson moved to the outside line before controlling proceedings in heat six, before Brennan also continued his perfect start in the following race.

Sam Hagon held off four-time Slovenian champion Ivacic in the minor placings as the hosts moved 23-19 ahead.

Foord continued his impressive night with another race win, in a re-run heat eight, combining with Tobias Thomsen for a maximum.

Glasgow boss Cami Brown then looked to his tactical substitute to save his side, drafting in Harris to take the ride of reserve James Pearson.

But it did not do the trick, Ben and Zach Cook finally clicking into gear to impressively claim a 5-1, Harris and Barker trailing in their wake as Poole moved 33-21 up.

That lead extended as Lawson battled back to overtake Ivacic and win heat 10.

Tigers then stopped the rot with an advantage of their own, Harris becoming the first man on the night to lower the colours of Brennan, while Jack Smith saw off Hagon, who was struggling to get things going.

Poole all but secured victory straight after the interval, Ben Cook coming out well, while Foord split the Glasgow pair of Pearson and Flint, pushing the former all the way to the line.

Lawson and Brennan then teamed up for a maximum to add further gloss to the score, before Lawson completed his perfect night in heat 15, Ben Cook coming up the inside to go from last to second alongside him.

Poole face second-placed Scunthorpe twice next week, at home on Wednesday before going to Eddie Wright Raceway on Friday (both 7.30pm).

Meanwhile this month's meeting at Edinburgh Monarchs has been pushed back from Friday, August 23 to Friday, August 30.

Pirates 55 (101): Lawson 15, Thomsen 4+1, B Cook 11+1, Z Cook 5+2, Brennan 10+1, Hagon 2, Foord 8.

Glasgow 35 (79): Harris 11, Smith 2+1, Flint 4+1, Ivacic 8, Barker 4, Pearson 6, Garrad 0.