PIRATES took a giant step towards retaining the Elite Shield after a powerful first-leg display inspired by double-figure hauls from Chris Holder, Hans Andersen and Kyle Newman.

Poole may have benefited from the absence of Krzysztof Kasprzak from the Coventry side due to injury but the hosts could certainly not be accused of failing to make the most of it.

The Bees got off to a quick start but it proved a false dawn as Pirates avoided being on the wrong end of a heat advantage from race four onwards – a superb effort in their first meeting of 2016.

There were highlights all through the Pirates septet with six of the seven riders recording at least one race win, Andersen coming agonisingly close to a five-ride paid maximum while Newman was unbeaten by an opposition rider in his four rides.

Pirates will attempt to complete the job at Brandon on Friday and keep their grip on the Shield for the third successive campaign.

But for now the Wimborne Road side can reflect on an ideal start to the year in which there appeared plenty for promoter Matt Ford and team manager Neil Middleditch to feel positive about.

Following a minute’s applause for former Poole promoter Pete Ansell, who passed away in November, the action got under way.

Brady Kurtz’s first turn in Pirates kevlars was one to forget as he got slightly out of shape and while Holder saw off Jason Garrity, he could not close down Great Britain international Chris Harris.

Pirates reserve duo Adam Ellis and Newman rocketed out of the starting gate in race two and the latter quickly assumed control.

But with a maximum seemingly in the bag, Ellis appeared to miscount the amount of laps and subsequently trailed in at the back.

The hosts’ task increased further when Coventry delivered the first maximum, Harris again fast out of the gate as the all-action Krzysztof Buczkowski failed to overhaul Danny King.

Back swung the pendulum when Andersen made a winning start on his return to Poole kevlars, while behind him the wide lines of Newman eventually bore fruit at the start of the final lap when he rounded Kacper Woryna.

Josh Bates had rather helpfully packed up on the start line and the home septet trailed 13-11 at the first break.

Ellis made another fine start in heat five and this time cruised through to the finish line, with Kurtz clearly putting Jason Garrity on edge just behind as he pushed his fellow second-stringer all the way.

Following a cut-throat turn two, Andersen and home skipper Davey Watt hit the front in heat six but Harris was rapid and split the pair on lap three, his exploits not enough to prevent Pirates seizing the lead for the first time.

Buczkowski then banked the maiden victory of his Poole career as Holder kept an eye on a tame challenge from the duo’s Coventry counterparts.

The next contest was a similar affair with Newman comfortable out front as Andersen provided ideal support, both continuing their flawless nights and helping Poole claim a 10-point lead in the process.

A sixth heat advantage on the spin followed with Kurtz claiming a first Elite League race win as Ellis added another useful point to his tally.

Rider replacement King finally ended the run of Bees defeats in race 10 but Garrity could not split Watt and Buczkowski and Poole entered the last five outings in total control.

Harris had been excellent but his gating gloves deserted him when he needed them most in heat 11, the Bees star rolling across the line in fourth as his tactical ride misfired. Holder and Kurtz gleefully claimed the maximum.

The lead became 20 points after Ellis and Newman dovetailed superbly, the race effectively over after turn two.

Holder came close to pulling off a blockbuster last-to-first ride in heat 13 but despite briefly leading, he was passed by the battling Harris.

Andersen was not remotely troubled in the penultimate race and although King provided a little excitement by charging hard after Watt, a 4-2 increased to 53-31 the lead.

It was not to be a perfect night’s work for Andersen as he was excluded for clipping Woryna in the final showdown, but Holder still won the race in his absence.

Buczkowski triumphed in the inaugural Pete Ansell Memorial Race which followed heat 15.

RIDERS' SCORES AND HEAT DETAILS

Pirates 56: 1 Chris Holder (2-2*-3-2-3) 12+1, 2 Brady Kurtz (0-1-3-2*) 6+1, 3 Davey Watt (0-1-2-1) 4, 4 Hans Andersen (3-3-2*-3-x) 11+1, 5 Krzysztof Buczkowski (1-3-1*-1*) 6+2, 6 Adam Ellis (0-3-1-3) 7, 7 Kyle Newman (3-2*-3-2*) 10+2. Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

Bees 34: 1 rider replacement, 2 Jason Garrity (1-2-0-0-0) 3, 3 Danny King (2*-0-3-1-0) 6+1, 4 Kacper Woryna (1-0-1-2-2-1*) 7+1, 5 Chris Harris (3-3-2-0^-3-2) 13, 6 James Sarjeant (1*-0-1-0) 2+1, 7 Josh Bates (2-r-0-1) 3. Team manager: Gary Havelock.

Ht 1: Harris, Holder, Garrity, Kurtz, 60.09 (2-4)

Ht 2: Newman, Bates, Sarjeant, Ellis, 61.12 (5-7)

Ht 3: Harris, King, Buczkowski, Watt, 60.56 (6-12)

Ht 4: Andersen, Newman, Woryna, Bates (retired), 60.75 (11-13)

Ht 5: Ellis, Garrity, Kurtz, Sarjeant, 61.06 (15-15)

Ht 6: Andersen, Harris, Watt, Woryna, 60.22 (19-17)

Ht 7: Buczkowski, Holder, Woryna, King, 60.75 (24-18)

Ht 8: Newman, Andersen, Sarjeant, Garrity, 61.21 (29-19)

Ht 9: Kurtz, Woryna, Ellis, Bates, 60.41 (33-21)

Ht 10: King, Watt, Buczkowski, Garrity, 61.16 (36-24)

Ht 11: Holder, Kurtz, King, Harris (tactical), 60.68 (41-25)

Ht 12: Ellis, Newman, Bates, Sarjeant, 61.59 (46-26)

Ht 13: Harris, Holder, Buczkowski, Garrity, 61.00 (49-29)

Ht 14: Andersen, Woryna, Watt, King, 61.13 (53-31)

Ht 15: Holder, Harris, Woryna, Andersen (dsq), 61.53 (56-34)

ECHO STAR RIDER – HANS ANDERSEN

Would have had a paid maximum had it not been for his exclusion in heat 15 when he clipped Kacper Woryna, with a matter of inches in it.

It was an otherwise extremely accomplished display from the Dane on his ‘second debut’ for Pirates.

The former Coventry man looked smooth and untroubled on his machine and the Bees simply could not cope with his speed and control.

Credit also goes to Kyle Newman for starting the year with a paid maximum with his fellow reserve Adam Ellis also impressive.