TEAM manager Neil Middleditch admitted the right decision had been made after Pirates’ meeting at Birmingham was called off last night without a wheel being turned.

Poole had been hoping to extend their 100 per cent winning record in the Elite League in 2014, but were thwarted by wet conditions at Perry Barr.

Tapes-up had been scheduled for 7.30pm but the start was delayed by rain and the meeting was eventually postponed just before 7.45pm.

Although disappointed not to complete the fixture, Middleditch said the safety of his riders was paramount.

He told the Daily Echo: “It is very frustrating to come up here and not race with all the boys changed, warmed up and ready to go, but it comes down to the safety of the track.

“They had to put a bit of water on the track in order to prepare it and the rain on top just finished it off.

“At the end of the day I want to come home with seven fit riders and it was the right decision to rain it off.”

Pirates promoter Matt Ford was also downbeat at the lack of racing but confirmed Darcy Ward would be available for the rescheduled date.

He said: “There’s no new date for the fixture yet but at least Darcy is happy as he will be available.”

The Wimborne Road outfit are next in action on Monday when they travel to Belle Vue.

Meanwhile, Poole have made two fixture changes with the Saturday, May 10 visit to Eastbourne now scheduled for Monday, June 30.

The June 30 trip to Belle Vue has been shifted back a week to Monday, July 7.

The first fixture change means that Ward is now freed up to race alongside Chris Holder in the second round of the European Best Pairs in Landshut, Germany on May 10.