NEIL Middleditch labelled Pirates' season "average" but admitted he took consolation from Monday's defeat to Rye House.

Poole are bottom of the SGB Premiership having lost five league meetings on the spin, although a bonus point against the Rockets proved a welcome tonic.

Middleditch's men will aim to end their losing run when they face the Hoddesdon side at Wimborne Road tomorrow (7.30pm).

The team boss told the Daily Echo: "I look at the boys and think: We are better than this.

"We know that and it's frustrating that riders who are far better can't find the missing ingredient.

"In speedway, there is a fine line between being good and average and I have to be honest, we've been average.

"But against Rye House, I thought we were very good."

New signings Stefan Nielsen and Richie Worrall have bolstered Pirates' ranks with the latter scoring seven paid 10 on his debut on Monday, having supplanted former Grand Prix star Peter Kildemand.

Discussing a rider who had a seven-meeting spell in Dorset last season, Middleditch said: "Richie is a good rider and is tough on a bike. He doesn't give an inch and you get 100 per cent effort from him.

"I think he enjoys riding for the Pirates, he proved that last year and he gave a good performance at Rye House.

"He has a really busy schedule at the moment and is keen to do well."