Pirates prevail but Knockout Cup tie with Berwick in the balance

Poole Pirates will head to Berwick on Saturday with their Championship Knockout Cup semi-final tie in the balance, after a tight first-leg encounter at Wimborne Road.

Neil Middleditch’s side sealed a 47-43 victory over the Bandits on home shale, during a nip-and-tuck contest on the south coast.

British teenager Will Cairns top scored at reserve for the Pirates with 11 points from six rides. He stepped up after Fraser Bowes was forced to withdraw following a spill earlier in the evening.

Jye Etheridge (9+1) and Nick Morris (9+1) helped the Bandits close the gap to four points at the halfway stage with a 5-1 in heat 15 ahead of Lewis Kerr and guest Chris Harris.

Jordan Jenkins (9) also proved a strong option for Bandits boss Stewart Dickson at reserve.

The sides will face off at Shielfield Park on Saturday (7pm) for a place in the final, while Poole visit Glasgow Tigers in league action before that on Friday (7.30pm).