GREAT Britain manager Peter Oakes hopes that Edward Kennett's star performance in yesterday's World Under-21 Team Cup final "convinces" the Pirate he can reach the top.

The Poole Castle Cover rider bowed out of junior competition by top scoring with 14 points as GB finished second behind Poland at Abensberg in Germany.

Poland, for whom new Pirate Adrian Gomolski was not called up to ride as reserve, amassed 40 points, with GB second on 36, followed by Czech Republic (31) and Germany (13).

Speaking from the pits immediately after the meeting had finished, Oakes said: "Edward was simply magnificent. He showed today what talent he does have.

"Hopefully now it will convince him he is capable of going to the highest level if he wants it.

"He just dropped one point in his fourth ride to Karol Zabik, the 2006 World Under-21 individual champion. But he then beat Zabik in heat 20."

Oakes added: "We are devastated. You feel sick when you have the silver medal, but we'll probably look back in a few days time and feel proud.

"I don't think anyone would have thought at the beginning of the season we would have come so close to Poland at this level, but we have.

"The first time the Poles took the lead was in heat 13. We had either led or were joint first up until then."

Kennett, who reeled off four wins and one second to outshine all the other riders, said: "Everything clicked for me.

"I had an engine off Craig Boyce and it seemed to work. I just made really good starts.

"I feel over the moon with 14. I am not the best on big tracks but it proves I can ride them when I have good engines under me."

Kennett added: "First would have been nice, but second we will have to take.

"We worked hard as a team and had a bit of bad luck when Daniel King broke down on the start line.

"I'm gutted for Peter we didn't win it, but I was pleased with my own display.

"I had to pass Zabik on the first bend and it was great I managed to beat him."

It was the first time GB had reached the final in the three-year history of the competition.

Poland, for whom Krzysztof Buczkowski top-scored with 11, completed a hat-trick of titles.