POOLE Pirates’ unbeaten record in the SGB Championship this season was ended with a 48-42 loss to Scunthorpe Scorpions.
Leaders Pirates did at least take the aggregate bonus point (94-86) to add on to their league tally, leaving them five points clear of second-placed Scorpions.
Poole made one change from the side which won at Wimborne Road against Scunthorpe on Wednesday, with Aussie Jacob Hook this time guesting in place of Vinnie Foord, rather than Ben Trigger.
The hosts made a dream start. Michael Palm Toft, who failed to score in the reverse fixture, teamed up with Simon Lambert for a heat one maximum.
Former Pirate Nathan Ablitt came from behind to win a shared second heat, before the lead was extended to 12-6 as Jake Allen continued Scunthorpe’s run of race wins.
Either side of a delay to allow the sun to set in Lincolnshire, Tom Brennan and Richard Lawson picked up heat victories as Pirates looked to mount a comeback.
Skipper Lambert impressed to win heat six ahead of Brennan, before teaming up with Luke Harrison for a maximum as Scunthorpe opened up a 10-point cushion.
Lawson was instantly brought in as a tactical substitute in place of reserve Tobias Thomsen and hit back alongside Brennan, the score reduced to 30-24.
Lawson claimed another win in heat 11, Sam Hagon holding off Ablitt in the minor placings as the lead was cut to just four points.
It looked as though Poole would reel Scunthorpe in even further as Ben Cook overtook Allen to win heat 12, but Thomsen squandered third to Harrison.
Two more shared heats followed to set up a grandstand finale. Poole needed a 5-1 to tie the contest, but Palm Toft could not be caught and it was defeat for Pirates.
Scunthorpe 48 (86): Palm Toft 13, Lambert 8+1, Allen 9, Mountain 2+1, Howarth 6+1, Ablitt 5, Harrison 5+2.
Pirates 42 (94): Lawson 12, Hagon 3, B Cook 7+2, Z Cook 7, Brennan 10+2, Thomsen 1+1, Hook 2.
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