NEIL Middleditch admitted Pirates had never endured a tougher struggle to get to a play-off final than this year.

The Dorset club were bottom of the SGB Premiership in July but rallied superbly in the second half of the campaign, with mid-season signings Chris Harris and Nicolai Klindt proving key.

Middleditch is targeting an eighth league title as team manager of Poole but knows the test which lies in wait from King’s Lynn.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s first leg at Wimborne Road (7.30pm), Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “All titles are very special and this year would be in particular. It’s been tremendous to get where we are from where we were.

“It has been some feat by everyone involved. I know we have chopped and changed but every rider has played their part in one way or another to get us to the final.

“I think this has been the biggest struggle to get to a final which I have known.

“Whichever way you look at it, seven titles is pretty impressive but a chance to get our eighth is even better, particularly in our anniversary year.

“However, I’m under no illusions that King’s Lynn are a very good side.”