PIRATES chief Matt Ford has labelled Leigh Adams as "quite simply an incredible scoring machine" in the build- up to Saturday's Slovenian Grand Prix.

The 32-year-old Australian returned to Poole at the beginning of this season for the first time since he had began his British career at Wimborne Road in 1989.

And he has waltzed to the top of Meridian Lifts Pirates' rider averages and helped them scorch to first place in the Sky Sports Elite League.

Adams, who went into Saturday's fifth round of the World Championship in Krsko in fifth place, is averaging 9.91 after 22 matches in the top-flight.

He is second only to Jason Crump, of Belle Vue, and even has a higher figure than Poole's spearhead and the reigning World champion Tony Rickardsson.

Ford, who watched Adams break Rickardsson's Poole track record against Coventry in midweek before the Swede then equalled the new time of 57.25 secs, said: "I am really delighted with the way Leigh has bedded in at Poole.

"It has been quite incredible. He is the consummate professional.

"I can understand why every promoter Leigh has ever ridden for has been upset at the loss when he has moved on.

"He has given us that extra bite in those very important heats 13 and 15 but has also become the most consistent rider away from home, even outscoring Tony.

"Leigh's average over the past five years shows he was always going to be this consistent for Poole.

"But working with someone who is such a points-scoring machine can make things so much simpler.

"Leigh is not the type of guy who hangs around after a meeting going into the bar.

"He would prefer to spend time at home with his wife and children and I think this hinders him in obtaining sponsors.

"Leigh isn't picking up anything locally and for such a world-class rider I am very shocked.

"But who knows, maybe someone reading this now may just feel that he is the person who can endorse their company or products in the right manner and help Leigh in his testimonial year."