THE message from the reigning champions could not have been any clearer: We mean business.

If they had not already realised, Pirates’ Elite League rivals now know Poole will again take some beating.

Pirates last night sent the biggest signal yet of their intent to successfully defend their title.

Lakeside are likely to be one of the major challengers but they simply had no answer to the Dorset big guns.

If this is what ‘top heavy’ gets you, then you won’t hear Pirates supporters complaining any time soon.

Some of Poole’s counterparts have suggested that they are little more than a two-man team led by supreme performers Chris Holder and Darcy Ward.

But when the Turbo Twins are in this sort of dominant form, Pirates have more than enough lower down the order to complete the job in the face of even the sternest of Elite League tests.

That is what they encountered in Essex – an extremely difficult challenge. Not many teams will expect to head back to the M25 with points this season. But Poole proved they were more than up to the task with a truly outstanding display.

The two teams arrived at Arena Essex Raceway defending unbeaten records and something had to give.

It would have taken a brave pundit to call the outcome after the two sides battled out a ding-dong opening to a captivating night of speedway.

Holder showed a sign of things to come as he got Pirates off to a flyer alongside Ricky Kling.

The Lakeside response was instant, though, with reserves Richie Worrall and Robert Mear combining expertly.

Ward defended well from the front under pressure from old pal Davey Watt in race three but with Dennis Andersson taking a tumble, the points were shared.

The two title frontrunners then began to really slug it out.

Hosts Lakeside stamped their authority with another 5-1 when Mear flew past Adrian Miedzinski to help Lee Richard-son register a routine maximum.

But not to be outdone, World Championship star Holder, fresh from his Grand Prix win last weekend, joined forces with ex-Hammers man Kling to spearhead a tapes-to-flag 5-1 of his own.

Peter Karlsson hit back with a heat advantage, only for Ward to respond in style by diving under Richardson and roaring clear.

Mear defied Kling’s track knowledge to hold off the chasing Poole man to increase the cushion to 26-22 after eight.

Watt flew round the outside of Miedzinski as Hammers secured a second consecutive heat advantage to extend their lead.

But just when it looked as if the hosts might press on, Pirates’ trademark late surge arrived.

Ward produced yet another example of his excellent team-riding skills to bring Poole back into it.

The Aussie ace led from the front and guided Andersson to ensure there was no way past for Karlsson, leaving the 20-year-old Swedish star to take the 5-1.

It was level at 33-33 after Holder showed terrific speed, supported by Kling, in heat 11.

By the time Ward had cut ruthlessly under Watt to bag a 4-2, a success which was followed up by Holder, Pirates had victory within their sights after 13 heats.

Richie Worrall continued his fine form but Andersson and Lindgren ensured Poole maintained their two-point cushion with one race remaining.

And there was little doubt Holder and Ward would complete the job when sent out in heat 15.

Despite birthday boy Ward getting badly out of shape on the opening bend, he called on all his speed to rocket round the outside and hit the front. Once there, it was all over for the Hammers as Ward and Holder stormed over the line in unison.

It was a fitting finale on a night when Pirates proved their credentials.

Hammers 42: 1 Peter Karlsson (2-3-1-1*-1) 8+1, 2 Stuart Robson (0-1-1) 2, 3 Davey Watt (2-1-3-2-0) 8, 4 Kim Nilsson (1*-0-1-0) 2+1, 5 Lee Richardson (3-2-0-2) 7, 6 Richie Worrall (3-0-2-3) 8, 7 Robert Mear (2*-2*-3-0-0) 7+2.

Team manager: Neil Vatcher.

Pirates 48: 1 Chris Holder (3-3-3-3-2*) 14+1, 2 Ricky Kling (1-2*-2-1) 6+1, 3 Darcy Ward (3-3-2*-3-3) 14+1, 4 Dennis Andersson (0-1-3-2) 6, 5 Adrian Miedzinski (1-2-2-0) 5, 6 Ludvig Lindgren (0-0-0-1-1*) 2+1, 7 Kyle Howarth (1-0-0) 1.

Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

League points: Hammers 0 Pirates 3 Referee: Chris Gay.

Ht 1: (re-run) Holder, Karlsson, Kling, Robson, 58.5 (2-4) Ht 2: Worrall, Mear, Howarth, Lindgren, 60.3 (7-5) Ht 3: Ward, Watt, Nilsson, Andersson (fell), 58.5 (10-8) Ht 4: Richardson, Mear, Miedzinski, Howarth, 59.2 (15-9) Ht 5: Holder, Kling, Watt, Nilsson, 58.5 (16-14) Ht 6: Karlsson, Miedzinski, Robson, Lindgren, 59.2 (20-16) Ht 7: Ward, Richardson, Andersson, Worrall, 59.4 (22-20) Ht 8: Mear, Kling, Robson, Howarth, 59.9 (26-22) Ht 9: Watt, Miedzinski, Nilsson, Lindgren, 58.2 (30-24) Ht 10: Andersson, Ward, Karlsson, Mear, 59.7 (31-29) Ht 11: Holder, Worrall, Kling, Richardson, 58.8 (33-33) Ht 12: Ward, Watt, Lindgren, Mear, 58.8 (35-37) Ht 13: Holder, Richardson, Karlsson, Miedzinski, 59.0 (38-40) Ht 14: Worrall, Andersson, Lindgren, Nilsson, 60.3 (41-43) Ht 15: Ward, Holder, Karlsson, Watt, 59.5 (42-48)