Pirates: Middlo believes Poole will be in title mix (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates: Middlo believes Poole will be in title mix

7:00am Saturday 15th December 2012 in Sport

BULLISH Neil Middleditch is convinced Pirates have built a team with genuine Elite League championship credentials.

Poole chiefs have signed six of their seven riders for the 2013 campaign during a productive close-season recruitment drive.

Promoter Matt Ford this week confirmed Maciej Janowski as the third heat leader alongside big-scoring Turbo Twins Chris Holder and Darcy Ward.

Robert Miskowiak has also been snapped up for a mid-order berth while new recruit Rohan Tungate looks set to start at reserve with Kyle Howarth.

Middleditch, who guided Pirates to the play-off final last term, is confident the new-look line-up can challenge to reclaim the title silverware after losing out to Swindon Robins.

He told the Daily Echo: “I am very pleased. We have got Chris and Darcy back, which is what everybody wanted.

“Magic is good friends with Darcy and Chris so, straight away, the team spirit is not going to be difficult to get.

“Robert Miskowiak is a very capable rider and I know Matt has wanted to work with him for a while and now he has got him.

“Kyle desperately wanted to come back to Poole again and he has really enjoyed his time at the club.

“Rohan Tungate is also a friend of Chris and Darcy’s and I am looking forward to working with him.

“I think it is a very exciting team so far. I am very pleased with the team and I think we are certainly going to be challenging again for the title.”

Pirates are hoping to secure their final signing before Christmas and they have 4.20 points remaining in their team-building limit.