BUCCANEERS captain Jay Herne believes they can overcome a mighty 16-point deficit to topple Weymouth on aggregate in their National League Cup second leg tussle at Poole.

Herne notched up a fantastic 17-point haul from five outings to keep his side in the quarter-final tie after they were hammered 56-40 at the Wessex Stadium last night.

The Australian, who played down an ugly pits skirmish after Wildcats’ James Cockle kicked his bike (see separate story on top sport), was one of only two Bournemouth Castle Cover riders to bag double figures.

Andrew Aldridge produced a fighting 10-point haul, which included a vital tactical rider double points return in heat 11 over Mark Burrows.

Mark Baseby, wearing a knee brace for the first time to protect an injury, worked hard for six paid eight.

But ex-Weymouth riders Danny Warwick, who fell twice and ended with zero, and Kyle Newman, who also fell twice and only got two points, endured miserable nights as the reigning third-tier champions won at a romp.

Herne, whose side crushed Weymouth 56-36 at home in the league on May 28, said after last night's meeting: “We struggled without Jerran Hart tonight, but I think we’re still in the tie because he can ride for us in the second leg.

“It’s a tall order for John Resch to come in for Jerran tonight, but he did his best.

“He got one point and it’s all experience, but if Jerran was here he would have scored double figures because he goes well here.

“I know we beat Weymouth really well at home so hopefully we can do the same again.

“We did our best tonight, but Kyle took a heavy fall first time out and Danny never really got going.

“I think it’ll be a cracker of a meeting at Poole because every point is crucial over 30 heats and we still aim to come out on top.”

Cockle, who said he had apologised to Herne after kicking the Aussie’s bike (see separate story on Echo website), added: “I think we can finish it off at Poole, if me, Tim Webster and Terry Day can do what we do at home.

“Everyone did a great job tonight and we’ll go to Poole thinking we can win the tie overall despite losing their so heavily in May when a lot of our guys hadn’t ridden the track before.”

Mark Burrows (11+1), Lee Smart (10+4), Matt Wright (nine) and Webster (7+2) led Weymouth's charge, with Cockle (seven), Day (6+2) and James White Williams (six) also getting among the points.

Herne, meanwhile, believes he may be out of a job at Premier League Somerset after admitting he spent most of yesterday not knowing whether he was meant to be riding at the Oak Tree Arena or at Weymouth.

Confusion reigned over his future as he admitted he’d heard speculation he’d been dropped by Somerset, but claimed the Rebels management had not spoken to him yet about his team berth with the second tier club.

Last night’s meeting at the Wessex Stadium started an hour late after referee Ronnie Allan was forced to wait for the arrival of a paramedic and ambulance before the action could get underway.

The medics had been delayed on a job in Bere Regis which they had to finish before heading to the speedway.