DAVEY Watt hailed Bjarne Pedersen as being "back to his old self" as Pirates' captain stormed to a scintillating paid maximum at Wimborne Road last night.

The Dane, who has been woefully out of form for Poole Castle Cover so far this term, bagged 13 paid 15 as the Dorset club gained revenge for Monday night's mauling at Monmore with a 62-31 thrashing of Wolverhampton.

And Watt, who also starred with nine points, despite a first-heat engine failure, was quick to sing the praises of Pedersen as Pirates moved up to second in the Elite League table.

Watt told the Echo: "Bjarne's been having a bit of a tough time, but we've been talking and trying to help each other out with a few little problems we've been having.

"He's quite a quiet guy to start with and he's been plugging away trying to get through things, but I had a chat with him about a few bits and pieces and he's back to his old self now.

"He was brilliant tonight and showed why he's one of the best in the world."

Watt, who blitzed up the inside of Nicolai Klindt in heat 12 to destroy a certain Wolves 8-1 with Niels-Kristian Iversen on a tactical ride, was highly-critical of his own performance - despite bringing out his back-up bike after engine trouble in the opening heat.

Watt added: "For me personally the night wasn't a great success. I had an engine failure in my first ride and it was just getting slower and slower so I'm actually quite glad I made it round for four laps in that race.

"I changed to the other bike which isn't so great, but it was good enough for me tonight even though I've got some work to do with that engine."

Reserves Freddie Eriksson and Zibi Suchecki impressed once again for Pirates, claiming paid 19 between them, while Chris Holder led Pedersen home in heat 15 as Poole claimed their seventh 5-1 of a memorable night.

Watt said: "Freddie is going really well - even though he's saying he feels he's struggling a little bit!

"But he's scored paid 10 tonight and you know you're on a good wicket when you do that at reserve. Reserves shouldn't really be scoring 10 points and yet Freddie feels he's having problems!

"Zibi is also doing a great job week-in, week-out and just plugging away getting the points."