Starke promises to 'keep pushing forward' with Pirates at league summit

Reserve Paul Starke vowed Poole Pirates would keep pushing forward, after they saw off the challenge of Plymouth Gladiators in the SGB Championship.

The 34-year-old totalled seven paid nine from his four rides at Wimborne Road, as Poole recorded a 48-42 triumph over Garry May’s Gladiators.

Richard Lawson (14) once again led from the front for Poole, but it was Starke who scooped the sponsors’ rider of the night award.

Assessing his performance, Starke said: “We've been trying lots of things lately and concentrating on the starts. That's the biggest one.

“Tonight I made a few and got a few points so let's keep it going. We will just keep pushing forward and hopefully get a few more wins under my belt."

Scott Nicholls (13+1) and guest Dan Thompson (13) led the charge for Plymouth, who lost Ben Barker through injury after a nasty spill on bend three.

The sides meet again in the reverse fixture at Plymouth Colisseum on Saturday (7pm).

Pirates are top of the SGB Championship standings, five points clear of Glasgow having ridden three more meetings.