PROMOTER Matt Ford was in dejected mood after Poole's season-opening 70th anniversary meeting fell victim to the weather.

The decision was made around 90 minutes before the scheduled start time that it would be unsafe to proceed with racing.

At the time of the call-off, heavy rain was forecast.

Ford told the Daily Echo earlier this week that there were no plans to reschedule in the event rain intervened, as proved the case.

And speaking after delivering the bad news to supporters, Ford told the Daily Echo: "It's so disappointing. The weather has been okay for the past few days.

"The rain last night didn't really help but we got over that. It's just that the forecast for the rest of the night is dreadful, so rather than taking people's money and having to upset them or giving them refunds, the decision was made by myself and the referee.

"I think it's the right decision."

Ford had assembled an exciting field which included the likes of Grand Prix star Matej Zagar, Niels-Kristian Iversen and Bjarne Pedersen.

All but one of the Pirates septet – Chris Holder being the exception – had been set to compete for a £10,000 top prize.

And speedway legend Tony Rickardsson had been booked to roar around his old stamping ground in an addition to the main racing.