BEN Cook expressed his delight after an impressive showing earned him the rider of the night accolade as Poole Pirates overcame Edinburgh Monarchs, insisting: "I feel like things are going in the right direction."

The 24-year-old has had a mixed campaign in his second season on British shores, with reserve Drew Kemp breathing down his neck in the averages.

Cook kept his spot at number four for June and produced his best showing of the campaign to date, totalling 8+3 as Pirates saw off Monarchs 49-41 at Wimborne Road.

That return comes less than two weeks after he failed to score in the 45-45 draw at Glasgow Tigers.

Included in his haul was a pair of 5-1s alongside Steve Worrall, brilliantly holding off Edinburgh's top duo Sam Masters and Josh Pickering in heat nine.

Cook then produced an eye-catching come-from-behind win in heat 14 to rubber-stamp his fine night's work.

"It was much better (last night)," said the Aussie.

"I did it the hard way in heat 14, but a win is a win. I'm learning every week, that's the main thing.

"I feel like things are going in the right direction."

Cook struggled for form towards the end of last season as he nursed a leg injury, suffered during a guest booking with Redcar Bears.

"It wasn't ideal getting the injury and especially being in my first year and still learning and everything that goes with it," said Cook.

"This year it's good. This season I know a bit more what to expect and that definitely helps.

"It was nice too to share in the 5-1 with Stevie over Sam Masters as he is in incredible form this season and he's not dropping many points, so to get one over him feels pretty good.

And Picko (Josh Pickering) is no slouch either, he's improved this year so yeah, it's always good to get one over the Aussie boys."

It was not such a profitable night for Ben Cook's younger brother Zach.

On just one point from his opening two riders, Zach looked to be battling back, taking a win in heat eight. But disaster struck in heat 10.

After doing well to move up to second, behind Danny King, Zach Cook went from a paid maximum to no points after his bike packed up.

"It was a pretty costly blown engine to be honest," he admitted.

"It's always the same in speedway, the big blow outs always seem to happen when you're in the points.

"I am going to have to send that one away now for a huge rebuild and am looking at a hefty bill for that. It's frustrating."