KRZYSZTOF Kasprzak admitted 'Lady Luck' played a big part in his first full Pirates maximum as they crushed Coventry 57-36 at home on May 11.

The young Pole reeled off five scintillating heat wins as Poole RIAS came on strong in the second half of the Elite League clash at Wimborne Road.

Pirates' sixth straight home triumph, coupled with a 99-82 aggregate victory, kept them hot on the heels of leaders Belle Vue, who grabbed a last heat 5-1 to win 47-43 at Arena-Essex.

But Poole will draw level with the Aces at the top of the table if they beat Oxford at Sandy Lane on May 12 (7.30pm).

Kasprzak was the star of the show as he reeled off four tapes-to-flag race victories after Antonio Lindback had got out first in their opener and allowed the Pole to storm ahead to take the chequered flag.

KK could still have been looking for his first full British maximum, however, if he had fallen off his bike while leading heat nine when it lifted violently as he came off the second bend on the first lap.

He said: "The track was very slippery and I was turning on it okay when suddenly there was no grip on my wheel and my bike lifted up.

"I don't know how, but I kept control. It just happened, good luck I suppose.

"I'm glad I did manage to hang on because I'm over the moon that I went through the card for the first time in England.

"I tried to concentrate on my gating, which was working well. On top of that, I rode tremendously.

"After gating, everything was on my side except the one time I lifted up.

"I nearly collided with Antonio, but apart from that everything was as smooth as ever for me and the team."