Matt Ford admits back-to-back world junior title wins for Darcy Ward would be just the tonic for Pirates ahead of their crunch home clash against Coventry on Monday.

But he also acknowledges Poole Castle Cover’s teenage star has a big job on his hands to topple current world under-21 championship leader Maksim Bogdanov.

Ward, who lifted the crown last year, trails the Latvian by four points going into the third and last leg of this season’s final at Pardubice today.

If the Aussie ace can pull off an unlikely overall triumph in the Czech Republic, it will boost his hopes of playing a pivotal part in helping Pirates overcome a 12-point deficit against Bees.

They go head to head at Wimborne Road in the Elite League play-off final, second leg, with Ward determined to make amends for his uncharacteristic one-point return at Brandon.

Poole chief Matt Ford said: “The world under-21 title is still very open.

“Bogdanov is a tremendous rider on big slick tracks, so a little bit of rain would probably help Darcy this weekend.

“The one thing about Darcy, though, is that whether he scores one point or 15, you still get the same attitude and commitment.

“You get 110 per cent every time he goes out on a bike. So I know if it doesn’t go his way, it won’t be for the want of trying.”

Joint third-placed Ward is level on 17 with Artum Laguta. They also trail Patrick Hougaard (19).

Ford said: “It would be immense for Poole if Darcy can pull off overall victory.

“He’s become increasingly popular with everyone close to the club, so let’s hope it goes his way.

“Darcy’s won the title once already and still has three more goes. It would be brilliant if he did retain the title, but all is not lost if he doesn’t. He has plenty of time to win it again.”

Bjarne Pedersen and Chris Hol-der represent Pirates in the Elite League Riders’ Championship at Peterborough on October 16.

Buccaneers line up against Dudley, Buxton and Rye House in the National League Four-Team Final at Hoddesdon tonight (7pm).

James Brundle, who also represents Bournemouth in the third-tier riders’ championship at Rye House tomorrow (2pm), is joined in Buccaneers’ side by Jay Herne, Mark Baseby and Kyle Howarth.