MACIEJ Janowski’s much-anticipated return to British shale did not disappoint as the Pirates skipper delivered an outstanding display in the 47-43 win at strugglers Leicester last night.

Janowski, who had not ridden for Poole since suffering a knee injury at Coventry on April 10, had signalled his return to top form when he scooped the bronze medal in Saturday’s Czech Grand Prix.

And the 23-year-old continued in that vein as he bagged a 15-point maximum at Beaumont Park in a Pirates team that was at full strength for the first time since March 25.

Pirates got off to a solid start with Kacper Gomolski and number one Davey Watt splitting Jason Doyle and Grzegorz Zengota.

Poole reserve Paul Starke, who had hot-footed it from a Premier League meeting at Scunthorpe, flew out of the blocks with victory in heat two, securing a 4-2 with Kyle Newman.

The setting sun caused a delay due to reduced visibility but when matters resumed, Janowski took the chequered flag.

A further sun delay ensued before Pirates retained their advantage as Chris Holder and Newman made sure that Szymon Wozniak’s victory counted for little.

Lions levelled matters in heat five when guest duo Charles Wright and Zengota racked up the first maximum, only for Janowski to make it two wins out of two in heat six.

Doyle’s superior speed paid dividends when he found a route past Dakota North in heat seven, the home skipper’s win helping to draw his team level.

Wozniak’s stellar effort continued as he led in the pack next, with Gomolski getting the better of Wright for second.

A triumph for the improved Zengota meant that Poole had won just three of the opening nine races but still found themselves only two points behind.

That trend shifted in heat 10 with Watt at the front but an initial maximum became a 4-2 after Grajczonek reeled in former team-mate Gomolski.

The Pirates charge continued thanks to a 4-2 from Janowski and North, the duo sandwiching Doyle in heat 11. And the flying Starke and Newman increased to six points the lead with a 5-1 over their opposite numbers.

Once again Janowski was peerless in heat 13 but Watt trailed at the back, setting up a tense penultimate heat.

Grajczonek pulled out his first win at the most opportune moment, the support of Wozniak handing the hosts a critical 5-1.

Two re-runs were required in the final showdown but once more Janowski got the better of Doyle and the visitors grasped a three-point win.

RIDERS' SCORES AND HEAT DETAILS

LIONS 43: 1 Jason Doyle (3-2-3-2- 2-2) 14, 2 Grzegorz Zengota, guest (0-2*-1-3-0) 6+1, 3 Josh Grajczonek, guest (fx-0-2-1*-3-0) 6+1, 4 Szymon Wozniak (3-2-3-0-2*) 10+1, 5 Lewis Bridger r/r, 6 Charles Wright, guest (2-3-1-0-0) 6, 7 Simon Lambert (0-0-1) 1. TEAM MANAGER: Norrie Allan.

PIRATES 47: 1 Davey Watt (1*-1-3- 0) 5+1, 2 Kacper Gomolski (2-r-2-1) 5, 3 Dakota North (1-2-1-1-1) 6, 4 Chris Holder (2-0-1*-0) 3+1, 5 Maciej Janowski (3-3-3-3-3) 15, 6 Paul Starke (3-1-0-3) 7, 7 Kyle Newman (1-1*-2-2*) 6+2. TEAM MANAGER: Neil Middleditch.

HT 1: Doyle, Gomolski, Watt, Zengota, 63.43 (3-3)

HT 2: Starke, Wright, Newman, Lambert (fell/rem), 63.68 (5-7)

HT 3 (RE-RUN): Janowski, Doyle, North, Grajczonek (fell/dsq), 63.00 (7-11)

HT 4: Wozniak, Holder, Newman, Lambert, time unknown (10-14)

HT 5: Wright, Zengota, Starke, Gomolski (retired), 64.13 (15-15)

HT 6: Janowski, Wozniak, Watt, Grajczonek, 62.12 (17-19)

HT 7 (RE-RUN): Doyle, North, Zengota, Holder, 63.01 (21-21)

HT 8: Wozniak, Gomolski, Wright, Starke, 63.44 (25-23)

HT 9: Zengota, Newman, Holder, Wright, 63.2 (28-26)

HT 10: Watt, Grajczonek, Gomolski, Wozniak, 63.63 (30-30)

HT 11: Janowski, Doyle, North, Zengota, 62.44 (32-34)

HT 12: Starke, Newman, Lambert, Wright, 64.31 (33-39)

HT 13: Janowski, Doyle, Grajczonek, Watt, 62.19 (36-42)

HT 14: Grajczonek, Wozniak, North, Holder, 63.94 (41-43)

HT 15 (RE-RUN X2): Janowski, Doyle, North, Grajczonek, 62.88 (43-47)

ECHO STAR RIDER – MACIEJ JANOWSKI

This was a display that had all possible storylines going for it.

The star man, the skipper, the long-anticipated return – and Janowski delivered in spades upon his comeback.

The Pole had been in stunning form at Saturday’s Czech Grand Prix but a maximum at Leicester was still unexpected.

It was a remarkable performance.

Special mention to Paul Starke who was a menace at reserve in his second meeting of the day.