CO-PROMOTER Danny Ford insisted Nico Covatti had “flourished” after stepping up to the number two position for Pirates.

The Argentinian charger had started the campaign at reserve before last month moving into the main body of the septet, after Thomas H Jonasson was brought in to replace the injured Richie Worrall.

Covatti continued his good form with six paid nine in Thursday’s 51-39 success at King’s Lynn – a victory which saw the defending champions claim the SGB Premiership top spot.

The 31-year-old recorded eight paid nine from four rides in a league victory over Ipswich last week, the team Poole have selected for tomorrow’s play-off semi-final at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).

Ford told the Daily Echo: “We took the big decision to bring in Thomas and move Nico up to the main body of the team.

“He seems to have flourished in that position and is scoring amazing points.

“Also having Ricky (Wells) back now after he took a week off to recover from injury seems to have done him the world of good. He has come back firing.”

Pirates will once again do battle with 2018 title-winning hero Chris Harris when they clash with the Witches.

British star Harris has featured against the Dorset club in four of their past five meetings, riding twice for Ipswich and on two separate occasions as a guest for King’s Lynn.

“Bomber was firmly in our thoughts this year but it didn’t quite work out. He seems to be racing against us a hell of a lot,” said Ford.

“He is obviously enjoying it and picking up enough guest bookings against us.

“With Bomber you always know what you are going to get. A guy who gives it 100 per cent every meeting. He is box-office to watch and I’m sure the fans will come out to see him.”

Pirates: Brady Kurtz, Nico Covatti, Nicolai Klindt, Josh Grajczonek, Jack Holder, Tomas H Jonasson, Ricky Wells.

Ipswich: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Cameron Heeps, Chris Harris, Richard Lawson, Danny King, James Sarjeant, Jake Allen.