Rushen keen to keep working as Poole beaten at Plymouth

Poole Pirates charger Cooper Rushen vowed his side would “keep working away” despite suffering their first league defeat of the season.

The teenager was part of a patched up Poole line-up, without skipper Zach Cook, to go down 47-43 in a last-heat decider at Plymouth.

Richard Lawson (11) and Lewis Kerr (10) hit double figures for Poole, but ex Pirates Dany King (12+1) and Scott Nicholls (10+1) proved effective for the home side.

Rushen, who totalled paid six from four rides, was still upbeat despite the loss.

He told the club website: “I’ve struggled a lot here in the youth days. It was, you know, one of those tracks that haunted me. But I really enjoyed riding it.

“I struggled a lot out of the starts and around here that is key. But I had some great battles on track and it was just a shame to miss out at the end.

“I think we were riding one of the stronger teams in the league at the minute, so to get 43 points against them isn't too bad.

“It would have been nice to get the draw or the win . But we are doing well at the minute so we will keep working away at things."

Defeat came after Poole drew 45-45 on the road at Oxford a night previously in the SGB Championship.

They are now third in the league table, one point behind leaders Scunthorpe with two meetings in hand.

Pirates are next in action when they host Edinburgh Monarchs at Wimborne Road on Wednesday (7.30pm).

(Picture: Taylor Lanning Photography)