MATT Ford and Chris Holder hailed Darcy Ward’s “top-drawer” heat-13 heroics after the Australian prodigy lit up Pirates’ semi-final win over King’s Lynn.

Maximum man Ward was the headline act as Poole Castle Cover booked their place in the Elite League grand final with a thumping 63-27 second-leg victory against Stars on Monday night.

While Pirates’ all-round dominance was clear from the outset, it was Ward’s dramatic defeating of Kenneth Bjerre that raised the roof at Wimborne Road.

After Bjerre had worked overtime to hold off hard-chasing Holder and Ward, Ward produced the move of the meeting.

Diving under both Holder and Bjerre, he forced the Lynn number one wide enough to not only get past on the final bend, but also leave a sizeable gap for his compatriot to do likewise and complete a memorable 5-1.

Promoter Ford and Grand Prix star Holder were both quick to lavish praise on Ward for the magical manoeuvre – which came with Pirates’ final place already secured.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “The move by Darcy on Kenneth Bjerre that opened the door for Chris as well was just from the top-drawer of speedway. It was amazing for everybody to watch.

“Darcy amazes me because the way he thinks on a bike is quicker than almost anybody I have ever seen.

“Chris was absolutely dumbfounded with the move. It was so very good.

“You saw the roof come off the stadium at the time.”

Holder explained: “I had some pretty good speed and I was trying to line up Kenneth, but he was covering the line pretty well. I was a little bit too close to him to do what I wanted.

“The best thing that ever happened was Darcy steaming under the pair of us.

“That opened it up, I turned back and got a good corner off it, and Darcy managed to hit the dirt and block him.

“We got the 5-1 and that was awesome. It couldn’t have gone any better.

“It fired everyone up and went from a 3-3 to a 5-1 in the space of half a corner. We were pretty happy with it, too.”

Ward and Holder again topped the Pirates scores as they went unbeaten by an opposing rider.

Holder collected a paid maximum, while Ward won all six of his races.

Ford added: “With the help of the Echo, I have been telling people for weeks and months to come and see these two kids because it really is as good as it gets.

“I think people saw exactly what I meant again on Monday night.

“Those that come every week get to see every week just how incredible they are on speedway bikes.”