PIRATES were last night sweating over an injury to Darcy Ward after Kyle Howarth had inspired them to a dramatic victory over King’s Lynn.

Boss Neil Middleditch, pictured below, confirmed that star rider Ward was this morning likely to have an X-ray on his left hand after taking an ugly fall while battling for the lead on the back straight in heat 10.

Although club officials reported that Ward had a “full range of movement”, the Australian Tweeted after the meeting: “Too early to tell what's wrong in my left hand. Tomorrow, I will know more.”

Pirates will be desperate to see Ward emerge unscathed after somehow managing to do the same themselves – despite missing Robert Miskowiak and Ward during the closing stages at Wimborne Road.

The 48-45 win over much-fancied King’s Lynn owed much to a stunning display from young British reserve Kyle Howarth.

The Manchester-based prospect showed exactly why Matt Ford acted quickly in making him a full asset during his Bournemouth Buccaneers days by producing an exceptional performance.

Howarth’s form earned him a full seven rides and he delivered when needed most by returning a highly-impressive 11 paid 13-point haul, while also treating spectators to some spectacular racing including a breathtaking fourth-to-second burst in heat seven.

Impressed skipper Chris Holder was quick to hail Howarth’s fine showing when he said: “It was the best I had ever seen him go.”

The Stars arrived strongly tipped to challenge for silverware this season and on the back of a convincing Easter double over Peterborough.

For long periods, they underlined why so many believe they will make the play-offs, although Ward’s absence and an 8-1 in heat eight meant the meeting was per haps closer than it would otherwise have been.

Pirates, unbeaten in 26 home matches prior to the clash, just about maintained that proud record with a solid team effort led by Holder and Howarth.

The two clubs had a stormy relationship last year but, this time, the fireworks were kept on track during an entertaining evening.

After enduring mixed fortunes against Swindon last week, Ward resumed normal service by rocketing from the traps to lead home Iversen in a shared first heat.

Seb Alden and Kozza Smith sandwiched Howarth as Stars edged ahead before Holder made it look easy with the most routine of wins in race three.

The first Wimborne Road roar of the league campaign arrived in heat four as the Poole faithful rose to greet an exceptional effort from rookie reserve Rohan Tungate. After a blistering getaway, the Australian simply refused to concede position to big-hitting compatriot Rory Schlein as he defied the odds to partner Maciej Janowski to a popular 5-1.

Howarth then got the better of Stead to ensure a share of the spoils after Iversen had stormed under Holder on the back straight to take the chequered flag.

Fast-starting Dawid Stachyra, pointless from his opening two outings, profited from Ward’s superb team-riding skills as the Pirates number one guided his colleague to a masterful maximum next up.

Leading 21-15, things got even better for Pirates after Howarth briefly morphed into Ward. Taking the Aussie’s trademark outside route past the pits, the Brit blasted from last to second to leave Korneliussen and Klindt trailing in a cloud of dust as he joined smooth frontrunner Janowski for another 5-1.

Most of the good work was undone in heat eight, though, as the Stars hit back. With the deficit at 10 points, Stead was dispatched in search of double points and the former Swindon man did not disappoint as he and Alden delivered the 8-1 full house to make things interesting.

Alden continued his fine night’s work by storming to victory over world champion Holder, whose attempts to help Howarth hold off Schlein were finally ended on the last bend.

Following Ward’s nasty-looking spill, the Grand Prix ace was excluded from the re-run of heat 10, but Stachyra produced another eye-catching effort to beat Korneliussen and Klindt to retain the slender lead.

The impressive Howarth and Janowski sensibly stuck together to keep at bay Stead behind comfortable winner Iversen.

All set up for a gripping finale, Pirates eased the tension as Holder and Tungate made the start to grab a big 4-2 and stretch the lead to 39-36.

Pirates were hit by a huge setback as Schlein and Iversen seized on the hosts’ misfortune to deliver a 5-1 which handed the Stars a 41-40 lead. After the injured Ward had been unable to take his place at the tapes, Howarth was the last Poole man standing when Janowski suffered an untimely mechanical failure.

But the same pairing delivered in the penultimate race as Howarth again did exactly what was asked of him – and more – as he displayed his rapid gating skills to lead Janowski to a sparkling maximum.

With the Wimborne Road faithful in expectant mood, Holder completed an against-the-odds win by storming clear of Schlein and Iversen.