PIRATES went clear at the top of the SGB Championship outright, after a comprehensive 59-31 victory over Newcastle Diamonds at Wimborne Road.

Neil Middleditch’s men were spearheaded by a maximum from captain Danny King, who bagged 12 points from four rides in a flawless display.

Rory Schlein (11+1) and Steve Worrall (11+1) also reached double figures as the Dorset club picked up three league points for the comprehensive victory.

The home side tracked Danish youngster Benjamin Basso in their line-up at Wimborne Road for the first time, as the 2016 world youth champion ensured the hosts could name a full one-to-seven.

Newcastle were beaten 56-34 at Kent 24 hours previously. The Diamonds ran rider replacement for the Matthew Wethers in the number two spot.

Drama ensued in heat one with new recruit Basso, as he made his first outing on track at Poole. Sitting in third spot, he fell coming off bend four with the red lights stopping the race.

Fortunately for the hosts, Schlein was out in front and was awarded the victory ahead of Ben Barker and James Wright.

But Pirates duo Danyon Hume and Ben Cook stamped their authority on the reserve berths in heat two. Hume led from the gate to take the chequered flag with Cook in pursuit. Adam Roynon was trailing in third for the visitors.

As so often has been the case at Wimborne Road this season, Pirates teamed up for a 5-1 maximum in heat three. Worrall had no concerns in leading home team-mate Stefan Nielsen in second. Max Clegg was well back to pick up a consolation point.

King then kicked off his night’s work with a heat win in race four – roaring round the outside of opposite number Connor Mountain on bend two to come home first. Hume took advantage of a bike failure from Roynon to take third spot as Pirates surged into a 17-7 lead.

After touching the tapes at the start in heat five, Newcastle’s Max Clegg was forced to go from 15 metres back and then fell in the re-run. The race was awarded to Worrall ahead of Diamonds skipper Barker – Nielsen picked up a point as Poole increased their advantage.

Basso continued to keep fans on the edge of their seats with a turbulent ride in race six, but held on to take the race win. The Dane got dialled in to his new home track to team up with Schlein for a 5-1. Pirates had already surged into a 16-point advantage.

The 5-1s continued to flow for Poole as King and Cook partnered each other to a maximum in heat seven – the Poole skipper’s second race win of the night.

New man Basso looked to have heat eight in control before throwing the bike into bend three and hitting the deck once again. Barker picked up the pieces ahead of Hume to earn the Diamonds a rare 4-2 heat advantage.

Nielsen was then judged to have caused a stoppage in heat nine after Mountain crashed out. Worrall spared his blushes however by cruising to victory against his former club in the re-run to ensure a shared race.

Barker was introduced as a tactical substitute for the Diamonds in heat 10 and it paid dividends. The Newcastle number one led home Schlein and Basso in the minor placings.

King kept up his hopes of a maximum on the night with a win from the gate in race 11. Cook cut back past Mountain on bend two to take third and extend to 20 points the hosts’ lead.

Pirates kept up their dominance with Hume taking the chequered flag in heat 11, Worrall was team riding behind him in second – having not been beaten by a Diamonds rider from his four outings.

It was then four wins out of four for skipper King as he eased to a race win ahead of Barker in race 13. Schlein picked up third spot.

Cook continued the rout for Poole having led from the gate in the penultimate race. Newcastle’s Roynon spilt the Aussie and third-placed Nielsen.

Hume hit the deck on bend three after being chosen for heat 15. But Schlein led home Barker and Mountain to complete a convincing Poole victory.

Poole make the trip to Edinburgh on Friday.

Pirates: Schlein 11+1, Basso 4+1, Worrall 11+1, Nielsen 4+1, King 12, Cook 8+2 Hume 9.