IMPERIOUS Poole Pirates secured their spot in the end of season play-offs with a dominant 56-34 victory over fellow title hopefuls Glasgow Tigers at Wimborne Road.

Pirates, still unbeaten at home all season, are now guaranteed a spot in the Championship’s top six.

But they will have their eyes higher than just a top-six berth, with league leaders Poole knowing a top-two finish would ensure their passage straight into the semi-finals.

Pirates dominated from start to finish against the Tigers.

They won 13 of the 15 races on the night, with Danny King and Steve Worrall yet again leading the charge, both posting 12-point maximums, with Rory Schlein and Benjamin Basso also securing double figures.

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

Pirates drafted in American Dillon Ruml of Plymouth Gladiators as a guest for Stefan Nielsen, who suffered multiple injuries in a nasty crash during Wednesday night’s defeat at Birmingham.

But they did welcome back Basso, who was unavailable at Perry Barr due to a clash with his commitments in the Danish League play-offs.

Glasgow also had a guest at reserve in Luke Crang.

Poole got off to a strong start.

After Schlein won a shared first heat, Pirates began to open up a lead with race wins in each of the next three.

Danyon Hume eased to victory in heat two, before the hosts’ first maximum of the night courtesy of Worrall and Ben Cook.

In-form captain King then provided some entertainment. Having posted a maximum at Wimborne Road on Sunday, the skipper had to battle to keep up his streak. Former Pirate Ricky Wells got out the gate well to lead, only for King to reel him in and overtake on bend four of lap two.

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

The 4-2 left Pirates 16-8 up before the first track grading pause of the night.

And the race wins just kept on coming. Worrall secured his second of the night before Basso got in on the act, team riding superbly with Schlein to cruise to a 5-1 and extend to 12 points the advantage on the night.

King then led from the start in heat seven and after being slow out the gates, guest Ruml nipped ahead of Sam Jensen to ensure the lead widened further.

Basso then racked up his second race win in quick succession, leading from the tapes, albeit despite a minor wobble when his front wheel raised when out in front in the final lap.

Tigers implemented a tactical sub in heat nine, with skipper Craig Cook replacing Crang. He pushed Worrall hard, but could not halt the Merseysider from continuing his perfect night.

Glasgow finally got their first race win of the night in heat 10. After initially being warned for jumping the start and seeing teammate Tom Brennan crash into the fence, Jensen claimed victory on the re-run. He was well challenged by fellow Dane Basso, but held off his first lap battle before claiming the win.

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

Poole Pirates v Glasgow Tigers (Picture: Richard Crease)

Heat 11 was also subject to a re-run. Broc Nicol burst through the tapes and was replaced by reserve Connor Bailey, but again Poole captain King proved untouchable out in front. The race was awarded when Ruml crashed into the fence at the back towards the end of lap two, leaving Poole 41-25 ahead going into the interval.

Worrall led from the start in heat 12 before Pirates were gifted a maximum when Brennan’s bike packed up on the final lap, before Crang fell. Brennan pushed his bike half the length of the track to the finish line to ensure a least a solitary point.

King then eased to his fourth win of the night to continue his remarkable form around Wimborne Road as Pirates made it to 50 points for the night.

Tigers restored some pride with their first maximum in heat 14 courtesy of Bailey and Jensen.

There was a brief period of concern in heat 15 after Basso and Nicol tangled and both came down at the first turn. But both recovered to take their place in the re-run and just as Nicol looked like he was about to take victory, he fell whilst out in front on the final corner, crashing into the fence. Thankfully he eventually picked himself up again at the end of a tough night for Glasgow.

Pirates 56: Rory Schlein 10+2 (3, 2+1, 1+1, 1, 3), Benjamin Basso 10+1 (0, 3, 3, 2, 2+1), Steve Worrall 12 (3, 3, 3, 3), Ben Cook 2+1 (2+1, 0, 0, 0), Danny King 12 (3, 3, 3, 3), Dillon Ruml 3 (1, 1, 0, 1), Danyon Hume 7+1 (3, 1, 1, 2+1).

Glasgow 34: Craig Cook 8+2 (1+1, 1+1, 2, 2, 2), Broc Nicol 6 (2, 2, 2, 0), Tom Brennan 4 (1, 2, 0, 1), Sam Jensen 6+1 (0, 0, 3, 2+1, 1), Ricky Wells 4 (2, 1, 1, 0), Luke Crang 0 (0, 0, 0), Connor Bailey 6+1 (2, 0, 0, 1+1, 3).