SUPERSTITUOUS Neil Middleditch felt Darcy Ward’s magic number had played a part in shaping the destiny of triple-champions Poole Pirates.

Pirates made history by trumping Belle Vue 46-44 on the  night and 92-90 on aggregate, becoming the first team to lift three consecutive crowns in the Elite League era.

In pictures: All our images from last night >>>

But in the biggest quirk of fate, Poole matched the feat last achieved by the Aces some 43 years ago – matching stricken star Ward’s selected number on the Grand Prix circuit.

The Aussie ace, still hospitalised with spinal injuries, picked 43 in reference to the postcode of his hometown, Camira, with Middleditch convinced the numbers game had pushed his side towards greatness.

 


 

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “To win three in a row speaks volumes for the club and puts us in legendary standing, I would like to think.

"I’m just so pleased. This year has been tough, certainly in the past few weeks with Darcy but this was for him, everybody knows that.

“The ironic part was that it had been 43 years since a club had won the top division three times in a row. Add the four and three together and you get how many times we have won the title since Matt (Ford, promoter) and I came in. It’s remarkable.

“I didn’t know until somebody told me immediately after the meeting and couldn’t believe it. The way the four and three totted up had inspired me to win it for Darcy because I do believe in all that but to realise his number was in there too made it feel like destiny.”

 


 

Promoter Matt Ford added: “It is quite strange and eerie in a way, particularly on a night that is dedicated to Darcy.

“It is a great achievement for everyone at the club and a real team effort. We marvel at the boys on track but our team goes way beyond that.

“From the people that help us week-in week-out, the volunteers, the sponsors that we keep on board year after year, we have one hell of a support network.

“My great thanks go to everybody. We have done Darcy and our town proud.”