Ben Cook maximum leads Poole Pirates to win over Scunthorpe

In what could well be a pre-cursor to the grand final later in the year, Poole were made to work for their win, but always looked like coming away victorious with big contributions also from Tom Brennan (11+1), Richard Lawson (9+2) and Zach Cook (7+2).

Poole, now six points clear at the top of the table, will look to secure the aggregate bonus point when they travel to the Eddie Wright Raceway for the reverse fixture on Friday (7.30pm).

Pirates were dealt a blow with in-form reserve Vinnie Foord unavailable for the meeting, having suffered a shoulder injury during a National League event on Sunday.

Guest Ben Trigger (Image: Richard Crease)

Redcar’s Ben Trigger stepped in to take his place as a guest at reserve, where he was joined by Tobias Thomsen, following a change of team order due to updated August averages. That saw Sam Hagon move up into the main body of the team.

Scunthorpe were at full strength, naming the same septet who were soundly beaten 60-29 by Poole in the Knockout Cup at this venue just last month.

And the Scorpions were immediately on the back foot again. Poole’s opening pair made the gate and never looked back, Lawson easing up just before the line to allow Hagon through to take the race win.

The next three heats before the track grade were all shared, with Nathan Ablitt, Ben Cook and Brennan crossing the line first as the lead remained at four points.

But Poole extended their advantage to 19-11 after the restart, Scunthorpe pair Michael Palm Toft and Simon Lambert well off the pace as they were easily seen off by the Cook brothers.

Scorpions quickly reduced the arrears, former Pirate Kyle Howarth winning a good battle out in front against Lawson, while Ablitt beat Hagon in the minor placings.

A thrilling finale in heat seven denied the visitors the chance to cut the gap further. All four riders pushed hard throughout, Connor Mountain holding off Thomsen at the back, while Brennan came from behind to pip Aussie Jake Allen on the line.

Both managers made reserve switches for heat eight and they paid dividends, with those who came in taking first and second. Ablitt impressed again to record his second win of the night, ahead of Thomsen as Hagon struggled at the back to reel in Lambert.

Any hopes Scorpions had of building some momentum were quickly dashed, courtesy of another maximum from Ben and Zach Cook, the former sealing his third race victory of the evening.

Ben and Zach Cook teamed up for two maximums (Image: Richard Crease)

Lawson then breezed to victory in a shared heat 10, before team manager Rob Godfrey opted for a tactical substitute, swapping out number one Palm Toft for Howarth.

Between bends one and two, Howarth and Brennan went wheel-to-wheel, the latter slipping off and into the fence.

Brennan was controversially excluded from the re-run, allowing Howarth and skipper Lambert to team up for Scunthorpe’s first maximum of the night, reducing the arrears to 35-31 going into the interval.

Ben Cook showed great pace to seal a fourth win out of four as spoils were shared in heat 12, before Pirates kicked into gear. Lawson and Brennan teamed up for a timely maximum to put the hosts eight points clear.

And the win was sealed after Zach Cook completed a pass on Ablitt to claim heat 14.

Ben Cook then completed his perfect night, coming over the line alongside Brennan for another maximum.

Pirates 52: Lawson 9+2, Hagon 3, B Cook 15, Z Cook 7+2, Brennan 11+1, Thomsen 6, Trigger 1+1.

Scunthorpe 38: Palm Toft 0, Lambert 5+1, Allen 6+2, Mountain 5+1, Howarth 11, Ablitt 10+1, Harrison 1+1.