SKIPPER Chris Holder is backing new recruit Adrian Miedzinski to play a starring role in Pirates’ Elite League title defence.

Miedzinski came to the party in style when he delivered the goods in the second leg of Poole Coastal Aluminium’s Elite Shield win over Wolves on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Pole, who had struggled in the first leg at Monmore Green on Monday, showed his class in Pirates’ convincing victory.

Miedzinski, who rides alongside Holder and Darcy Ward for Torun in Poland, registered two heat wins in his eight-point haul – accounting for Wolves’ Grand Prix star Freddie Lindgren on both occasions.

His exploits helped Poole lift the trophy, their convincing 58-34 triumph seeing them land their first piece of silverware of the season thanks to a 104-78 aggregate win.

Holder told the Daily Echo: “It is not easy for Adrian. There is a lot of expectation on his shoulders, both from everybody and himself. Polish people always put themselves under a lot of pressure.

“He hadn’t ridden at Wolves for at least five years and it isn’t an easy track to ride. He had only done press day at Wimborne Road before riding here in the second leg.

“He was a bit frustrated at first but it was all relatively new to him. We spoke to him and helped him and he came out firing in his last couple of races.

“Once he got set up, he was very fast. He beat Freddie Lindgren twice and was on the pace. How he performed at the end of the night is how I think we will see him this season.

“You need your three top guys to score big points to help take the pressure off the other guys and I know Adrian would have been really happy with his first meeting here.”

Holder, who top-scored for Pirates in both legs, added: “We were very happy with the win. It was difficult for all the boys because we hadn’t done a lot of racing, especially at home. We had only done press and practice day so we were a bit rusty at Wimborne Road.

“But we had a good night at Wolves on Monday, which set us up for the second leg.

“Once the boys got dialled in, everyone was fast so we were delighted with the win. The Elite League is the big one but you want to win every trophy you go in for.

“It is early days and people are only going to get better. It is good because we are heading in the right direction.”

Pirates host Belle Vue in a challenge match at Wimborne Road on Wednesday.