PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch has stressed his delight following a 52-41 home win over Peterborough that propelled the Dorset club to the top of the Elite League on May 18.

But he was also quick to warn the Wimborne Road faithful not to get carried away about Poole RIAS' championship hopes as they chase a third successive title.

Middleditch saw his side pick up three points - two on the night and one for a 102-81 aggregate success - to leapfrog Belle Vue into first place by one point.

The Aces, however, have two matches in hand, while everyone else in the chasing pack have ridden fewer meetings than Pirates as well.

Celebrating Poole's elevation to the top, Middleditch said: "It is nice to be back where we belong.

"Realistically, though, we have to look to reach the top four play-offs and take it from there with regard to the title.

"First or second place is what we are aiming for to give us a home draw in the semi-finals.

"Things are going fine and we are doing well at home. But we are losing too heavily away which is making it harder to get the bonus points.

"So the message to our supporters is 'yes it is great to be top, but don't get too carried away'.

"Just like when everyone was complaining when we didn't get off to such a great start earlier in the season, I'd just say to them 'don't carried away now that we have hit the top'.

"It is a long old season and we do have the team to get in the play-offs.

"Let's just concentrate on that at the moment because if we finish in first or second place we would have had a very successful season.

"Having said that, we'd rather be top now than not because it is always good to have the points in the bag rather than still be chasing them."

Middleditch praised all of the Pirates on a night when Matej Ferjan was the only rider not to impress.

The Slovenian, however, was handicapped by engine problems, which restricted his tally to five.

His engine blew as he crossed the line while finishing last in heat nine and Middleditch felt that was the reason why Ferjan had also trailed at the back in heat five.

"His engine would have been starting to go in his previous ride and we saw that Matej had won his opening race, so he was on the pace then," said Middleditch.

"Luckily, he got on his second bike and finished second in heat 12 which was good.

"Our reserves, Ricky Ashworth and Tobias Johansson, got seven paid eight between them and did their jobs.

"Their 5-1 in heat two was very important for us and it will have been good for Tobias' confidence."