TEAM boss Neil Middleditch told Ben and Zach Cook “they could become true heroes” ahead of their meeting-defining 5-1 against Oxford on Wednesday.

Pirates trailed by two points heading into the final two races, before the Aussie brothers teamed up with a one-two over Aaron Summers and Dillon Ruml.

Skipper Danny King and Richard Lawson then combined for a maximum in heat 15, earning the hosts a 48-42 victory at Wimborne Road and booking their place in the final of the Championship Jubilee League.

Middleditch said: “The more I looked at the programme the more I knew we had to produce something very special indeed.

“I went up to the Cook boys and just told them that tonight was the night they could become true heroes and boy, didn't they respond superbly!

“Their efforts made it easier for Danny and Richard to finish the job off, as they only needed a shared heat in the last race, but they then finished the night in style.

“We made things very difficult for ourselves, we just weren't gating.”