Pirates 12 points down after first leg of SGB Championship play-off final

Team manager Neil Middleditch labelled Poole Pirates’ 12-point deficit in the SGB Championship play-off final as “a very steep hill” to climb in the second leg.

The Dorset club fell to a 51-39 defeat against Oxford Cheetahs away from home in the opening leg of the finale on Saturday night.

Zach Cook top scored for Poole with 10+1, while there were off nights for heat leaders Ben Cook (7+1), Richard Lawson (pictured) (7) and Tom Brennan (4+1).

Experienced duo Sam Masters (12+3) and Scott Nicholls (10+1) led the charge to put Oxford in the box seat at the halfway stage.

Pirates host Oxford in the second leg at Wimborne Road on Wednesday (7.30pm).

Looking ahead to the task at hand for his team, Middleditch said: “It is not exactly a mountain, I would say it is more of a very steep hill.

“Twelve points is a little bit disappointing, especially as we worked so very hard in the early stages to stop them from getting away from us.

“We knew we had to do that because they are always going to be strong in heats 13 and 15 with Sam and Scotty.

“But it was just one of those nights. Tom had an off night and was sort of left scratching his head as to what happened and well, you don't see Richard drop so many points.

"But it is what it is and you know, we have just got to hit them hard early doors and try and make up as much of the deficit as early as we possibly can.

“Okay, we lost tonight but we had the two best teams in the league going head-to-head on a good track so let's hope that the weather doesn't intervene on Wednesday and we can go again.

“There is all to ride for and one thing is for sure with matches like this, speedway is alive and kicking."

(Picture: Tony Hartmann)