Pirates: Plenty for Ford to think about after Batch's blitz (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates: Plenty for Ford to think about after Batch's blitz

7:00am Thursday 15th October 2009 in

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PIRATES were unable to complete an end-of-season cup double as Ipswich comfortably claimed the Coastal Windows Trophy 93-72 on aggregate.

The Witches were worthy winners of the second challenge match staged at Wimborne Road last night, which was abandoned after 12 heats as the club had reached their 10pm racing curfew.

Ipswich’s victory owed much to the incredible stamina of Australian Troy Batchelor, who reeled off a 12-point maximum from four rides.

The former Pirate had already bagged 11 when he guested for the Dorset side in the opening meeting of the double header against Eastbourne.

But his gating was razor-sharp from start to finish as he left with a tremendous 23 points from eight rides overall.

Batchelor was dumped by Swindon earlier this year while injured to allow Slovenian ace Matej Zagar into their side.

However, having left Poole on good terms in 2007, co-promoter Matt Ford may see him as a serious option for his 2010 team.

Artur Mrozcka continued to push his case by picking up two fantastic race wins against the Witches in a seven paid eight haul.

He was joined at reserve by Eastbourne’s Ricky Kling for the second meeting, as Pirates’ Polish trialist Dawid Lampart withdrew due to bike troubles.

The Swede impressed with eight points from four rides in his second meeting of the night, but his fellow Eagle Davey Watt did not fare so well.

The Poole asset blew an engine and fell hard in race nine, as his season ended with a hefty repair bill.