TEAM manager Neil Middleditch praised the work of track curator Gerald Richter after rapid Poole Pirates had thumped King’s Lynn 58-34.

Dave Watt kicked off with a victory in 59.50 seconds, the fastest time of the season at Wimborne Road, with Paul Starke setting a personal best of 60.31 in heat two as Pirates kicked off with a hat-trick of maximums.

Middleditch was also pleased to see Watt, who had suffered a torturous May, rack up 10 paid 12 on the back of a stellar showing at Coventry.

The Pirates boss told the Daily Echo: “We did have problems with the track earlier in the season but Gerald is always keen to listen to the boys and what they need.

"He has put in a lot of work and now we have a good racetrack which does wonders for the confidence of the riders.

“The racing was great which belied the score in many ways. There were some fantastic moves from the likes of Kyle Newman and Maciej Janowski which was great to see.”

Middleditch added: “The manner of the result was certainly unexpected because I thought King’s Lynn’s choice of guests was pretty shrewd. We told the boys to hit them hard during the opening heats and I don’t think they ever truly recovered from that start.

“Dave had been in a bit of a lull but hit back at Coventry in difficult conditions and then showed what he was all about against King’s Lynn. He recently had some work done on his motors, which has made a big difference.”