MAGNUS Zetterstrom scorched to the first full maximum of his Pirates career against Somerset then, jokingly, said: "I'm like an old wine, I get better and better with age".

The 31-year-old Swede originally joined Poole in 1996 and though he has never held down a regularly team place for more than two seasons in a row he is a cult hero to most Meridian Lifts Pirates fans.

That's because of his extravagant on-track showmanship after races have finished - his heat win celebrations are legendary - and his superb rapport with the Wimborne Road faithful, from the youngest of children to the oldest of adult Poole fans.

But until yesterday Zorro, as he is known, had never reeled off a full maximum for Pirates in 115 previous league, cup and Craven Shield matches while wearing the skull and crossbones race jacket.

He finally did in his 116th appearance for the club against the Rebels though as five excellent gates earned him five superb race wins and a 15-point maximum.

It made up, in some way, for the unlucky last-heat episode that saw Zorro's chain fall off when he was in a match-winning 5-1 position with team-mate Bjarne Pedersen in heat 15 against Wolves last week.

Then his chain fell off on the second lap with the result that Wolves won the cup-tie at Wimborne Road 46-44.

Zorro, who rode off with the Daily Echo's rider of the meeting accolade, outgated Graeme Gordon and Mario Jirout to win heat three and then Mark Lemon to triumph in the fifth race.

The Swede jetted away from the tapes brilliantly off gate four to edge ahead of Glenn Cunningham on his inside going into the first turn in heat nine.

Then Zorro worked hard to peg the Rebel behind him on the second turn before he scorched on to take the chequered flag.

He outgated Jirout to win the 12th race and then outsmarted Lemon and Cunningham out from the tapes in heat 15 to complete a scintillating individual performance.

Zetterstrom said: "It is nice to get my first full maximum for Poole.

"I had one for Peterborough when I was riding on loan for them in 1999 and now I have finally done it for Pirates.

"It is always a nice feeling to get a maximum in any meeting, whether it is in the Elite League, KO Cup, British League Cup, Craven Shield, in Sweden or in Poland.

"That is why I am here, to get as many points as I can for the club and I'm pleased with my efforts today."

Poole's win, and aggregate bonus point success, took their tally of points up to 17 from nine matches with one meeting to go in the Western Group, away at Wolves on Monday, September 15.

Wolves are favourites to top the group and qualify automatically for the quarter-finals, while Pirates should progress into the knockout stage as one of the three best runners-up from the five groups.

Zetterstrom, who had scored an 11 paid 15 paid maximum for Pirates in a 68-22 home win over Exeter in 1999, said: "As a team, we hope we will make the quarter-finals and as an individual I hope we do as well.

"I have been told I will be in the British League Cup team for the rest of the season and I just love riding for the Poole team."