BOSS Matt Ford hailed Pirates’ battling qualities after they kept alive the dream of a 70th anniversary league title win.

Poole left Somerset’s Oaktree Arena headquarters just two points adrift after the first leg of the SGB Premiership play-off semi-final.

The second leg is due to take place at Wimborne Road on Monday, October 1.

Ford saw captain Josh Grajczonek top-score for the visitors with nine paid 10, while Nicolai Klindt bagged a nine-point salvo and number one Brady Kurtz contributed eight.

And although world champion Jason Doyle racked up a hefty 13-point return for the Rebels, Neil Middleditch’s men stayed within touching distance throughout, even taking the lead after heat 11.

Ford told the club website: “It’s never over until it’s over and Somerset have given us some tough nights on our own track this season.

“But we’ve given ourselves a great chance and one thing I do know is the meeting on October 1 is going to be a cracker with it being so finely poised.

“The boys showed their fighting qualities and refused to give up and it was that kind of determination which got us into the play-off places in the first place.

“Hopefully, it will also get us into the Premiership final.”