PIRATES asset Kyle Newman narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot in his first appearance at the Elite League Riders' Championship.

The Poole-born flier scored eight points at Coventry's Brandon Stadium, claiming the scalps of Scott Nicholls, Chris Harris and Niels-Kristian Iversen along the way.

However, Danny King beat Newman to the last semi-final berth having also scored eight points, which included a heat victory.

Ringwood-based Adam Ellis, who partnered Newman at reserve in the Elite League play-offs, managed five points which were gained during his opening two rides.

The Lakeside asset beat Iversen, Harris and Nick Morris in heat one before seeing off Sam Masters for second in heat eight.

However, he was excluded following a fall in heat 12 and having failed to score next time out, sat out his final programmed ride.

Ellis was a late replacement for Wimborne Road favourite Chris Holder, whose fellow Grand Prix star Freddie Lindgren took overall victory.

The Wolverhampton charger, who days earlier had won the Elite League crown, defeated Iversen, Harris and Edward Kennett in the final.

Lindgren said: “I was struggling a little midway through the meeting but I got it together in the end and I’m super-pumped."