Pirates skip determined to put on good show (From Bournemouth Echo)

Pirates skip determined to put on good show

7:00am Saturday 27th February 2010 in

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PIRATES skipper Davey Watt believes focus is the key if his Elite League title favourites are to pass their crucial early-season television test.

An unprecedented five out of Poole Castle Cover’s opening 13 fixtures are programmed to be shown live by Sky Sports.

And Watt firmly believes if the Dorset septet don’t let the cameras distract them, they can show they have the pedigree to go all the way in the championship chase.

Sky’s schedulers are clearly expecting fireworks from Aussie young guns Chris Holder and Darcy Ward by putting Poole on the box five times before May 18.

The satellite channel’s programmers must also feel Pole Artur Mroczka can produce something special at the start of his first full British campaign.

Pirates’ opening TV date is a mouth-watering home clash on April 7 against second title favourites Peterborough, who have explosive talents Lewis Bridger and Troy Batchelor in their side.

Then speedway couch potatoes can watch Poole against Coventry (away, April 12), Coventry (home, April 21), Belle Vue (home, May 3) and Belle Vue (away, May 17) if Sky’s current schedule isn’t changed.

Watt said: “We’re really looking forward to being more on show as a team on TV.

“With all the talk about us being title favourites we’re going to need to show we’re at the top of our game straight away. We don’t want to appear unprepared with it being so near to the start of the season.

“At the same time we’re quite confident of ourselves and, as a team, we already have quite a good team spirit and atmosphere in the camp.

“I’m feeling confident going into this year’s Elite League. And it’s just a case of if we’re on TV we just have to make sure all our preparations throughout the winter are put to good use when those meetings come around.”

Watt, who spearheads Pirates alongside Holder and Bjarne Pedersen, added: “There’s no difference between a meeting being on TV and a meeting not being on TV because the league points you can win are the same.

“We just want to win every league meeting we can.

“Being a rider, you are not that fussed by TV coverage. I’m far from thinking about TV cameras while I’m racing. You just treat it as a normal meeting and race for the normal points. That’s what we need to focus on.”

Watt, back at Wimborne Road following a year on loan at Eastbourne, continued: “The TV coverage is a bonus for the club’s sponsors and, personally, for the riders’ sponsors.”

Mark Loram will be inducted into Poole’s Hall of Fame during a celebration dinner at Steakout Restaurant, Bournemouth, on April 6. For tickets, phone 01202 681145 from 10am on Monday, leaving a message if necessary.

Sky Sports TV speedway schedule – March 29: Wolves v Swindon (Elite League). April 5: Rye House v Birmingham (Premier League). April 7: Poole v Peterborough (EL). April 12: Coventry v Poole (EL). April 19: Belle Vue v Ipswich (EL). April 21: Poole v Coventry (EL). April 28: Eastbourne v Peterborough (EL). May 3: Poole v Belle Vue (EL). May 10: Swindon v Coventry (EL). May 17: Belle Vue v Poole (EL). May 24: Lakeside v Wolves (EL).