Cook keeping his cool despite Poole's sublime start to season

Poole Pirates charger Zach Cook was keen to keep a cool head after his team’s resounding opening to the season on Good Friday.

The Aussie helped lead the charge as Neil Middleditch’s side romped to a 61-29 victory over the Oxford Cheetahs at Wimborne Road.

Cook totalled 11+1 to go with a Richard Lawson 15-point maximum, as the Pirates stunned an Oxford side who were tipped to be vying for success this season.

But 24-year-old Cook insisted the Dorset club would not take for granted their impressive opening to the campaign.

He told British Speedway’s official podcast: “I think it’s probably a mixture of all of our guys having a good night and a few of the Oxford boys not having the best night.

“It’s early in the season. A lot of things are going to change during the season but it’s definitely a good start for us.

“Nothing is won in the first meeting over the season but it’s a good stepping stone, something to build off and we know what most of the boys are capable in our team now.

“There were two of them who had never raced the Poole track apart from the practice day and they went out and had a good night, so it’s definitely something to work on for later in the season.”

?? BRENNAN & COOK THWART CHEETAHS TACTICAL

?? Tom Brennan | ?? Sam Masters | ?? Zach Cook | ?? Scott Nicholls

??? TICKETS for upcoming fixtures ?? https://t.co/XmSfh76v7b

??‍?? #PiratePride pic.twitter.com/4CIFv5xCPI

— Poole Pirates Speedway (@poolespeedway) April 4, 2024

After a postponement of fixtures at both Plymouth and Oxford, Poole will hope to be back in action when they host the Plymouth Gladiators in the BSN Series on Wednesday (7.30pm).

“Every team is built different and we’ve got a solid team one through five,” said Cook.

“Rich is leading the way, is a solid number one. If we can all do our part and he does his, we are in for some good meetings.”

(Picture: Anthony Burchall)