PIRATES skipper Danny King believes viewers got good value for money watching their topsy-turvy meeting at Oxford Cheetahs.

Poole, who won the reverse fixture 58-32 on Good Friday, looked well set for another resounding win early on at Sandy Lane.

After six heats, the visitors were up by six points, only for Oxford to storm back and turn the meeting on its head, to lead 31-29 after heat 10, with Troy Batchelor and Jack Thomas impressing.

But back came Poole to end the meeting strongly, clinching it with a 5-1 in heat 14 from Drew Kemp and Ben Cook. The visitors did miss out on taking all four points from the fixture after a reverse in the final race of the night, but they still came away with a 48-42 success.

Reflecting on the win, captain King told the British Speedway Network: “It was a tough meeting. We were up by about six points and then they hit us back with attack.

“Then we were down and we had to fight back a bit and it went each way really. But pleased overall to come away and get the victory.”

It was Pirates’ first trip to Oxford Stadium in exactly 15 years, after the Cheetahs reformed this year to join the Championship.

Asked how he found the racing conditions on an unfamiliar circuit in front of a sell-out crowd, veteran King said: “It’s a great shape. It’s a fun little track to ride, which makes it easier, obviously!

“There’s nothing tricky about it.

“But it was good to come back here, I must admit. It was a long time ago I was here and I enjoyed it.”

He added: “Certainly for the viewers I think they got a good meeting to watch. Credit to everyone and obviously pleased for the win.”

Team boss Neil Middleditch added: “It was all a bit of an unknown for us because they’ve changed the track since I was here last, so was just trying to pick it up from riders who had been here.

“But the boys did really well.”

Pirates sit second in the embryonic league table, behind Leicester Lions, with seven points from their three meetings.

Poole are next in action against Birmingham Brummies on Wednesday at Wimborne Road (7.30pm).