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Last Updated on Friday 29th August 2003.

Friday 1st August 2003.

JACKSON STRUGGLING.

Injury ravaged Jamie Jackson has admitted that he's 'struggling' to regain his form and is considering a drop into Division 1 in a bid to get his confidence back. The unlucky Jackson said, 'I'm very low at the moment. I started the season badly due to my injuries from last season but both myself and the club expected that.'

'My form actually looked to have benefitted the team when we were able to bring Stan back from Tayside and I started scoring well again but that all came unstuck at the British Final when I broke my leg again.'

'I'm now struggling to get my form back to where it should be. SL is a very tough league at the best of times, even more so when you are off form. I think a spell in Division 1 could help me get back to where I was last season and prepare me for next year with the Pirates.'

'I've spoken to the boss and he agrees but he said it would need to wait for a bit.'

Pirates team boss Kevin Tantrum said, 'We fully understand Jacko's position and will do what we can to accomodate him. However, we've just made changes by bringing Augy back and are fairly close to the limit. It would be silly to make a change right now to replace Jacko only to go over the limit after 3 more matches.'

'The reason for waiting is twofold. First, by waiting till the end of August we give Jacko 3 more matches to maybe sort out his problem. Secondly, it gives us an accurate picture of what we have to play with average wise. At the moment we could bring in a rider up to 6.53 as cover but looking at our CMA's we may drop up to half a point by the end of the month which could mean a stronger rider would be available to us. We (the management and Jacko) will keep tabs on the situation and have further discussions. If he still feels that he needs a confidence building spell in Div 1 as we reach the end of this month then we will make arrangements.'

'I'm sure there will be a few Division 1 clubs willing to take him on loan for a couple of months.' he added with a smile.

Tuesday 5th August 2003.

FOURS QUALIFICATION.

Pirates have qualified for the Four Team Tournament Semi Final on Thursday after a convincing win at Cradley tonight.

Nine of the sixteen race winners were supplied by the Houston men and every rider recorded at least 1 win. Paul Augustine made his re-appearance for Pirates with a 5 point score including a vital win over Kidlington's Andrej Karasinski who was named man of the match. Jan Kirsten and Deon Standish both recorded 3 wins and a last while Rickard Reiner had two wins in his 8 point haul.

Scores were fairly close after heat 6 with Kidlington on 11, Pirates and Whitley on 9 and Bournemouth on 7 but Pirates switched into overdrive after this providing 5 of the next 6 race winners to move on to 24 points. An Augy third was followed by a JK win and Pirates had qualified with 2 races left. The Rocket ran a last in heat 15 but a lightning start for Stan in the final race saw Pirates become the only team to top the 30 point mark in the first round.

Pirates move forward to Thursday's Semi Finals where they face 3 of Aisha's Motor, Boston, Coalville (the sole Division 1 representatives), Cumbernauld, Ipswich, Walsall and Yeovil.

Wednesday 6th August.

PAIRS FAILURE.

It was so close but Pirates have failed to qualify for the Pairs semi finals after losing out in a run off at Broom tonight.

Bournemouth made up for their Fours disappointment by winning a run off for first place after they and London had tied on 19 points. Meanwhile, Cumbernauld, Wisbech and Pirates all tied on 18 and had to go into a 3 way run off to decide the third qualifier by right. It transpired before the race, as other results came through, that second in the run off would also qualify as a highest scoring loser.

Jan Kirsten had performed well to record 12+1 from 6 but Deon Standish had a poor night only recording 6. That left no real choice when it came to the run off and JK lined up against Rory McMillan of Cumbernauld and Warriors' Jesper Kroger. JK had previously beaten both but was left trailing after quick starts from the other two.

McMillan disappeared into the distance but Kroger had a real battle of it with the World Champion although, the by now, slick track left Kirsten struggling for grip and Kroger took the vital second place to put Pirates out of the competition.

A visibly upset Stan said, 'We should have been through but I was bad tonight. There were riders that I should have beaten and I didn't. That's why we are out. Jan missed out in the run off but no blame can be apportioned to him. If I'd done my job there would have been no run off.'

'But that's it past, we now concentrate on the Fours semi final tomorrow night which will also be my 100th appearance in a Pirates race jacket. I hope it's a memorable night for the right reasons.'

Thursday 7th August 2003.

FOURS SEMI FINAL SUCCESS.

Pirates stormed into the Final of the Fours, for the first time ever, with a huge win in tonight's Semi Final at Love Street, the new Scottish National track based in Paisley.

The points total again went over 30 with Jan Kirsten helping himself to a flawless 12 point maximum. Rickard Reiner changed gearing after a third in his opening ride and thereafter remained unbeaten as he too notched double figures. Paul Augustine weighed in with 6 vital points while Deon Standish celebrated his 100th match in a Pirates racejacket with 8 points.

Pirates were always at the forefront of the meeting, supplying 4 of the first 8 heat winners, but stamped their authority all over the Semi Final by supplying the next 5 race winners. By the end of heat 12 only 1 point was required for qualification and this was duly achieved as JK raced to his 4th win to ensure Pirates take a place at Coventry this Sunday.

Team manager Kevin Tantrum said 'We've now managed to record over 30 in both rounds. And we must look like favourites to the rest of the league but we won't fall for any of that.'

'Walsall look particularly good and qualified despite both Chris Moran and Jiri Jedek having a poor meeting. They are not to be underestimated in any way. Likewise, Cumbernauld. They are current Fours champions and will not want to give up their title without a major battle. Boston are solid through and through, all it would take is one rider to have a better meeting and they are title contenders too.'

'However, that's not to talk down our achievements. 36 out of 48 points is a massive achievement and we are delighted with our qualification. We aim to win this title and, if the riders continue their current form, we have as good a chance as the other three sides.'

Sunday 10th August 2003.

FOURS WINNERS.

Pirates have taken their fourth trophy in three seasons after winning today's Four Team Tournament Final at Coventry.

From early on the battle was between the holders, and Pirates' fiercest rivals, Cumbernauld as Walsall fell away after a decent start and Boston failed to get going. A fast start by Pirates saw their score at 11 after just four races and that laid the ground work for victory. However, a four heat winning burst by Rory McMillan and Eoin Williamson saw the Tigers gradually narrow the gap and then briefly take the lead at heat 10.

Pirates rallied by winning the next two heats as Tigers could only score two points and the fight for the title was on with Pirates leading 27-24. Jan Kirsten took second in the next as Egil Sundsgot trailed in last. Heat 14 saw recent returnee and man of the match Paul Augustine fly from the tapes and with ex-Pirate Kim Lehto in third the title was sealed. Augy received the bumps after the race and there were jubilant scenes on the terraces from the large travelling Pirates support.

The next two races saw Rickard Reiner and Deon Standish only take 1 point, as Darren Rice had an engine failure, but the match was over and they had been told not to take any risks and they hammed it up at the back for four laps with each pulling wheelies and waving to the Pirates support.

A champagne covered Kevin Tantrum said, 'The lads were magnificent today. They topped 30 in the previous two rounds but I didn't think it would be so comfortable today.'

'Cumbernauld tried hard but were only a two man team. We are delighted to have taken this trophy from them, they must be totally gutted.'

'As for our guys. Stan had a better match than his 5 suggests. He missed the gate in heat 5 but a win and a second in his other two showed decent form. His last race zero was expected as we told him and Rickard not to take any risks. They both then made slow starts before entertaining our fans and winding up the Tigers fans with their wheelies. The Rocket had scored 7 from 3 before that race and finished with 8, a very good performance.'

'JK was superb today when he needed to be. His 9 from 4 was spectacular and solid at the same time. He made passes when he could and didn't take risks when he didn't have to. And Augy was brilliant. You could see by his celebrations after heat 14 what it meant to him. He is delighted to be back home and he gives this team and club a boost simply by being here.'

Tuesday 19th August 2003.

POOR START FOR BUCKS.

The Bucks have made a poor start to their YDL Phase B section after only scoring 18 points at Wisbech last night. The host Wizards and Huntingdon Kestrels tied on 26 with Yeovil only one point behind.

Bucks struggled all night with debutante Ben Astley, on loan from Kidlington, notching 4. Jed Davies scored 5 while Karl Sweeney had a real off night with only 3. Top scorer was Nik Mills who scored 6 on his return from injury. A better performance in next Monday's home leg is required to keep the Bucks in with a chance.

Friday 22nd August 2003.

LEAGUE LEADERS BEATEN.

There was a party atmosphere at Craigburn Park tonight as the Pirates showed off their 4TT trophy before disposing of league leaders Aisha's Motor, picking up the bonus point and moving to the top of the Scottish Cup table.

It wasn't just 'team' glory either as Jan Kirsten became the first ever Pirate to record a full 15 point maximum and Jamie Jackson weighed in with a paid 10 score to take his all time total over 500. Paul Augustine made his home reappearance and scored a solid 5+2 which took him over the 50 bonus point total.

The match itself was tight for the first 4 heats with a heat 3 5-1 for Pirates cancelling out a 5-1 for the Motor in the previous heat. But a brace of 5-1's in the next 2 took Pirates into an 8 point lead. A 4-2 for the visitors was followed by a heat 8 5-1 as Aisha's brought in Daniel Capirossi for Matt Drury to leave Pirates leading 25-23.

A heat 10 5-1 put Pirates 6 clear again before the sides swapped 4-2's to leave it at 43-35 with 2 to go. Drury was again replaced, this time by Jensen Sneider, but the Motor couldn't prevent Pirates sealing the victory as Jackson and Lee Rough packed the minor placings.

That sealed the points but Pirates needed at least a 3-3 in the final race to snatch the bonus point and World Champion Kirsten duly obliged to send the Pirates faithful into raptures.

Kevin Tantrum said, 'What a great night. Maximum's, all 3 points and getting to parade with another trophy. It was a very special night.'

'Praise to the entire team, they all did their bit. I was very pleased with the performance, I think we look a lot more solid now that we have Augy back.'

Sunday 24th August 2003.

KIRSTEN ON PODIUM.

Jan Kirsten's bid to take a hat trick of World Under 21 titles has come to an end after an epic final at Coventry today. New champion is Huntingdon's Leigh Langley who beat Aisha's Jensen Sneider in a run off after the pair had tied on 13 points with JK 1 behind.

JK had raced to 3 untroubled wins before heat 15 where he met Langley. The Kiwi took Kirsten well wide on the first turn and this allowed Mariusz Misz of Glasgow to steal away with the race win. However, Langley managed to keep Kirsten behind him and ensured both riders joined Jensen Sneider on 10 points.

Kirsten and Sneider met in heat 18 knowing they needed a victory to tie with Langley who had won the previous race. JK made a fast start but Sneider was quicker and that ensured a 2 man run off.

A disappointed JK said, 'It was a fabulous move by Langley in heat 15. I was trying to cut under but he just held me out there. It was a risk because we should have been first and second but that third place cost me.'

'Yes, I'm a bit disappointed as I want to win everything I can but third place isn't too shabby. It's made me even more determined to take my third senior World Crown.'

Monday 25th August 2003.

BUCKS WIN HOME LEG.

A better showing was needed and that is exactly what the Bucks gave as they amassed 28 points in the home leg of the second round YDL matches.

Wisbech kept pace to score 27 with Huntingdon on 21 and Yeovil on 20. That leaves Wisbech on 53 with Huntingdon on 47, the Bucks on 46 and Yeovil on 45 with 2 rounds to go.

Individually, Ben Astley and Jed Davies scored reasonably to notch 5 and 4 while Karl Sweeney turned in a good 7 point performance. However, man of the match was Nik Mills who recorded a full 12 point maximum to take the man of the match award and, more importantly, put himself right back in the frame for a first team berth.

Tuesday 26th August 2003.

DECENT LEAD FROM HOME LEG.

Pirates have established a very decent 12 point lead to take to Huntingdon next week in the KOC 3rd round after a convincing 51-39 win at Craigburn Park tonight.

Rickard Reiner and Deon Standish led the way with Jan Kirsten winning 3 and falling in the other. Another good team display although a mid match slump saw Pirates go from leading 29-13 after 7 to only 6 up after heat 11. The team rallied from here and will be hopeful of a decent performance next week to take them to the semi finals.

Paul Augustine hit the heights again with 8+2 to claim the man of the match award while Jamie Jackson managed a paid 5 haul. Karl Sweeney picked up a solitary point but the move back to number 7 boosted Lee Rough as he scored 7+1 from 5.

Kevin Tantrum said, 'It's only half time but that is a fairly healthy lead. Hawks are no mugs and we can take nothing for granted. We will travel to the Ouse Valley Coliseum next week to do the best we can. With luck it'll be enough to claim a place in the last 4.'

Friday 29th August 2003.

PIRATES LEAVE IT LATE.

It took a last heat decider and a fabulous ride by Jan Kirsten for Pirates to snatch a 45-44 victory over basement dwellers Broom Bears tonight.

Pirates had raced to a 7 point lead by heat 7 and everything seemed to be going well to claim both match points and the bonus but the visitors pulled back a 5-1 in heat 8 thanks to tactical substitute Lee Jarman. The sides swapped 4-2's and as the match entered heat 13 Pirates were up 37-34.

With Jan Kirsten and Deon Standish against Greg Sonnenfield and Jarman Pirates were confident of at least a tied heat but the visitors top 2 shot from the gate to take a 5-1 and the lead by a single point. Martin Johanssen took heat 14 to preserve the lead and guarantee the bonus point before a crucial heat 15.

Jarman shot away with Kirsten just behind. Rickard Reiner outpaced Sonnenfield and it looked like a 1 point win for the Bears, however, World Champ Kirsten showed his quality with a superb blast riund the outside on the last bend to snatch the race and the match victory for the Pirates.

A happy Kevin Tantrum said, 'I can't praise JK enough. He was awesome in heat 15.'

'We were hopeful of all 3 points tonight but Broom gave us a fright and well done to them for taking the bonus. But this is our wake up call. We are looking for a finish in the top half and we had targetted staying unbeaten at home for the rest of the season as a prerequisite. Picking up bonus points is vital too, so to go so close to defeat at home to the bottom club is unacceptable.'

'We need to win at least one of our next two matches away from home to remain in touch. The riders know what is required of them.'

'As for tonight JK, Roughie and the Rocket were excellent. Stan and Augy were solid but Karl was off the pace and Jacko looks tired again. Jacko's loan to Div 1 may be on but he has asked to wait until after the away double header this week at Huntingdon in the cup and Walsall in the league before giving us a decision.'