PIRATES put one hand on the Elite League Championship trophy with a ruthless display at Wolves where they won 49-41 in the title play-off final, first leg, on Monday.

But team manager Neil Middleditch still stressed it was not a job already done before the second leg at Wimborne Road next Monday.

Antonio Lindback was an inspiration for Poole RIAS as they impressively pulled back an early four-point deficit to finally stretch out their first leg winning margin to eight points.

However, a cautious Middleditch said: "It is not all over yet, especially as Poole is such a fair race track.

"Wolves know they have nothing to lose and all their riders know they can perform well on our track.

"We've got to make sure we don't get carried away. We have to keep grounded.

"We would have been happy with a six point deficit going into next week's meeting, so I am delighted we have come here and beaten Wolves on their home track.

"But it is never over until it is over.

"I congratulated the boys after the meeting, but at the same time I stressed we have to remain focused and finish the job next Monday."

Middleditch added: "I was a little bit concerned after the first couple of races when we fell 8-4 behind but then we whacked in a 5-1, 5-1 and 4-2 to quickly turn things around.

"Everyone rode brilliantly for us but I will pick out Magnus Zetterstrom for special praise because he was an inspiration.

"He hasn't had the best of times recently but he stepped up to the plate tonight and did a magnificent job.

"Not only did he ride brilliantly but he also kept inspiring the other guys in the pits throughout the meeting.

"He did a fantastic captains job and it was great to see him pile up a decent score tonight. Magnus loves Poole Pirates and he puts so much effort in, so he fully deserved a good night."

Wolves team manager Peter Adams said: "Our lads are pretty down in the dressing room. They are blaming the wet track conditions but it is not like we rode on one track and they rode on another.

"Poole were superb in all departments. We were just beaten by a better team and you can't take anything away from them.

"They didn't finish on top of the league table for no reason and it looked as though this was a meeting too far for us. We are capable of winning at Poole and it would be ironic if we won by six points there."

Poole used Leigh Adams as a guest for the injured Ryan Sullivan last night and it is still unclear whether Sullivan will line up for Pirates in the second leg.

Middleditch said: "Ryan has to go for more X-rays today on his left hand, which he injured in the Norwegian Grand Prix.

"He is also going to have more physio today and we will take it from there.

"Ryan is hoping to be back for our cup match against Swindon on Wednesday but we will know more tomorrow about whether he can ride or not."