RYAN Sullivan shrugged off serious injury to his left hand by scorching to a full 12-point maximum against Swindon as Pirates kept their double hopes alive in thrilling style last night (October 6).

The Aussie ace, who still doesn't know whether his hand is broken or not following a track spill in the Norwegian Grand Prix on Saturday, was simply sensational as Poole RIAS swept the Robins aside 61-30 at Wimborne Road.

It was Pirates' biggest home league or cup victory of the season and put them on course for their second successive appearance in the BSPA Knockout Cup final.

The cup holders, they travel to Swindon tonight (7.30pm) for the semi-final, second leg, expecting to complete an aggregate victory.

It would be a major surprise if Poole don't progress to meet either Arena-Essex or Ipswich in the final, especially after Sullivan more than proved his fitness last night.

He missed the Dorset club's 49-41 win at Wolves in the Elite League title play-off final, first leg, on Monday because of the injury.

But he returned last night and rode through the pain barrier to inspire Pirates to a whopping victory over the only side to have beaten them at Wimborne Road this year.

Sullivan said: "My hand is a bit sore but it held up okay throughout the meeting.

"I have ridden with broken bones before. You just have to get on and do the job, try not to think about it.

"My hand stiffened up after my second race so I took the final race off and let the other boys do it.

"I didn't even have to strap my hand up because there is nothing you can do like that anyway to help.

"It was all okay. It was just a matter of the soreness, but I am all right.

"I only rode four races, which is not so bad. I'll have more physio and get ready for tonight's meeting at Swindon."

Sullivan, who had notched 14 and 15 points in his previous appearances at Poole, added: "I have only dropped one point in my last three home meetings so my form is not too bad.

"It is good timing for the cup and title play-off. It is the end of the season but finally I have my equipment set up so that I feel I have a chance out on the track. It is all coming together.

"It is very pleasing after such a hard season."

Looking ahead to the cup second leg tie at Blunsdon tonight, Sullivan said: "It is going to be tough but I think we are good enough to go there and get through on aggregate.

"I just hope Wolves look at the score last night at Poole and have taken note. Everyone in the team has their confidence up.

"We know what we have to do this is the time we have to win some silverware.

"Everyone has the bit between their teeth to do the job."

Arena-Essex lost at home to Ipswich 46-43 in their semi-final, first leg, last night. The return is at Foxhall tonight (October 7).