Bjarne aiming for Shield win (From Bournemouth Echo)

Bjarne aiming for Shield win

9:44am Saturday 19th April 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share

PIRATES skipper Bjarne Pedersen believes they can beat Coventry over two legs to reach the Craven Shield final - despite his side losing 48-45 at Brandon on Friday night.

Pedersen was in electric form as he reeled off a scintillating five-ride 18-point maximum for Poole Castle Cover.

But a penultimate race 5-1 from the Bees wrapped up their Elite League triumph just when it looked as though Pirates would take it to a last-heat decider after they'd been 10 points behind.

The Dorset club, who crushed Coventry 53-39 at home on Wednesday in the league, would have won 98-87 on aggregate and taken the bonus point if they had still been in use this year.

A big home win and narrow away defeat augers well for Pedersen's side when they host Coventry on April 31 and visit the Bees on May 2 in the shield semi-final.

The aggregate result then will decide who meets Lakeside over two legs in the final before the end of May.

Asked if Pirates would be confident of overall victory going into the shield tie, Pedersen said: "Yes, we have a very good chance.

"The best thing we can take from tonight is that it was a good practice for all of our riders.

"Now let's get the bikes ready for the Craven Shield because it would be great to get into the final.

"We were not at full strength at home when we had two guests and were without Adam Skornicki, and we weren't at full strength tonight.

"But, with a bit of luck, we should have everyone back fully fit before the semi-final and I think it will lift the whole team when we have our own seven riders again.

"I feel team spirit had gone a bit tonight. We should have a team talk and get back to how we were at the beginning of the season.

"I'll have a talk with the boys before our next meeting against Eastbourne at home on Wednesday and get all the boys back on track.

"We really need some away wins and when we are a full team it will take the pressure of Karol (Zabik).

"I think he is disappointed by tonight (Zabik failed to score from five rides).

"But he is young and just needs to get his head right, get on the bike, get a few wins and he will be back on track.

"Just like me at the beginning of the season, when you are not confident and have problems with equipment, it is hard to beat the best boys, especially at Coventry.

"It is a hard track. I have been here seven or eight years and it is a hard track.

"You have to race it hard to improve here."

• Print
• Email
• Share