Through the tapes: Havelock shows his class as Pirates crush Eastbourne

GARY Havelock rolled back the years to produce another vintage performance for Pirates as they crushed depleted Eastbourne 63-29.

The wily 41-year-old pulled off another masterclass of white line riding to pile up a vital seven paid 10 as Poole won at a canter for the eighth time at home this season.

Havelock is the Dorset club’s number eight and may not be firing on all cylinders for his Premier League outfit Redcar.

But after being called up to replace ill Leon Madsen, who missed last night’s meeting with a viral infection, the 1992 world champion showed you are never too old to return to the top level and perform at your best.

Havvy’s battling heat seven ride to pip Cameron Woodward for second summed up his seemingly never-ending genius on how to race a speedway bike, and was quite simply a joy to watch.

Victory kept Pirates in a commanding position at the top of the Elite League.

Pirates: 1 Chris Holder 9+1, 2 Darcy Ward 10+3, 3 Bjarne Pedersen 11, 4 Jason Doyle 7+2, 5 Davey Watt 11+1, 6 Gary Havelock 7+3, 7 Artur Mroczka 8+3.