KING'S LYNN 40 - POOLE PIRATES 50

POOLE produced a storming finish just when it looked as if they would slip up for a second time within a month at King's Lynn on Saturday.

After easing into an eight-point lead, thanks to an immaculate performance from Tony Rickardsson, the Pirates lost two races in succession and the match was all-square.

But with Rickardsson so in command - and backed up by some stunning rides from Grzegorz Walasek and Premier League guest Adam Shields - Poole regained the initiative to leave the home fans stunned.

Team manager Neil Middleditch admitted that he feared the match could have gone the other way: "After losing the lead I really thought we had blown our chances. But we kept it together and the riders were covering for eachother.

"Tony was outstanding, but he has been all season, and young Adam has come in and done really well.

"Gary Havelock had bad luck with a blown engine, but then he comes back witha vital point in Heat 13 which puts us back in front."

Shields, who has been setting the Premier League alight with his performances for Isle of Wight, recently helped Coventry to a victory at King's Lynn and he again showed his liking for the track with a couple of wins when stepping in as replacement for Tomasz Chrzanowski.

With Bjarne Pedersen out with a back injury, Shields was in for a busy night and he responded with some sparkling rides, including a 5-1 with Rickardsson in heta nine which put Poole 31-23 ahead.

Just four races earlier, the Pirates were robbed of points as Havelock pulled up with engine problems when he was on course for a 5-1 with Walasek.

The match then swung the way of the home side thanks to their new reserve, Ronni Pedersen, who featured in successive 5-1 results to make it level at 33-33.

In stepped Shields with an excellent win in 12, beating Pedersen in the process, to stop the King's Lynn charge.

A 4-2 from Rickardsson and Havelock in Heat 13 put the Pirates back in front before Walasek and Shields claimed victory in the next. The home fans were then heading for the exits as Rickardsson completed his maximum and kept Poole firmly in line for a play-off place.