Rowe happy with return to Poole, despite defeat at Plymouth

Anders Rowe insisted he was glad to be back in Pirates colours despite them suffering a first defeat of the season on Saturday.

The 22-year-old was speaking after Poole were edged out 46-44 by the Gladiators at the Coliseum, following a heat 15 decider.

Poole needed a 5-1 heat advantage to force a superheat, with Richard Lawson (12+1) out in front, Joe Thompson (14+1) just got the better of Rowe.

Nevertheless, the Weymouth-born youngster top-scored on the night for Poole with 13, as they picked up the aggregate bonus point in their BSN Series Southern group.

Reflecting on heat 15, Rowe said: "I didn't make the best of starts because I got gate one and I really would have liked three, but I got one and beggars can't be choosers.

“I tried to make it work and was prepared to line up a dive bomb up the inside going into bend three but he (Thompson) had it covered too well and if I'd have done it then we both would have ended up in a pile and that would have been no good.

“So I just tried to stick in there and hope a chance would come. I ended up with third and that wasn't enough, unfortunately we didn't get it done, but we are still in with a good chance of getting through the group and that is where we want to be.

“It's important for us as it means more meetings, more time on the bikes and more money.

“I am glad I made the move back to Poole. It was the right decision at the right time and I'm enjoying it.”

Pirates are set to take on Oxford Cheetahs at Wimborne Road in the group decider on Wednesday, May 7 (7.30pm).