From left to right: Lukas Dryml, Bjarne Pedersen, David Ruud, Scott Courtney, Krzysztof Kasprzak, Tony Rickardsson, Neil Middleditch, Craig Boyce, Andre Compton, Leigh Adams
Poole Pirates are crowned triple Champions in 2003 with all three major domestic trophies being won during October.
First (and most would say most significant) the Elite League title. Pirates overcame fourth-placed Oxford at home to book their final spot, Coventry beat Peterborough so the league top-two were face-to-face in the two-leg final. Pirates in their third visit to Coventry were hoping to remain unbeaten at Brandon in 2003 and a narrow 45-44 win placed one hand firmly on the trophy. However Coventry were the only Elite League team to win at Poole in 2003 so the second leg was expected to be tight. But Poole overwhelmed the Bees with Tony Rickardsson and reserve Ales Dryml unbeaten in the 55-35 win. Poole's first league title for nine years.
Next the Knockout Cup and Coventry again the opponents. Coventry were out for revenge and held Poole to a narrow four-point lead in the first leg (46-42) at Wimborne Road. The return 48-hours later and Poole were being hammered 30-12 (14-points behind on aggregate) after heat 7 with a tricky conditions on a wet track. However in drying conditions Poole plugged away at the deficit with a series of tactical substitutes and were still six-points behind with two races left. With two of their lower-scoring riders forced to take their mandatory third rides in heat 14, Coventry only needed four points from these two races but tragedy struck as Ryan Fisher was excluded after knocking-off Antonio Lindback. Lindback was then declared unfit for the re-run so Pirates were able to introduce guest Mark Loram as tactical substitute; he duly scorched to his first win of the night and was backed-up by guest Garry Stead to leave Poole needing a 5-1 in the final heat. With Tony Rickardsson and Leigh Adams, you could always expect a good score, but against home specialists Lee Richardson (crowned Elite League Champion the previous week) and Andreas Jonsson, anything could happen. But the Poole big-guns held their nerve for a cracking 5-1 and the title. Unbelievable!
Finally the British League Cup which was in its first year and comprised full-strength Premier League teams and points-restricted (35) Elite League teams. Poole and Eastbourne successfully navigated the qualifying leagues and play-offs to meet in the two-leg final. Despite a Leigh Adams maximum at Eastbourne, Poole lost the first leg by 6 points. However Poole led by Craig Boyce overturned a poor Eagles team in the return at Wimborne Road to win with ease and lift the third trophy in an unprecedented achievement for the Dorset team.
Problem now is living up to this in 2004....
Elite League Riders
1. Leigh Adams
(10.15)
2.
Krzysztof Kasprzak (4.50a)
3. Lukas Dryml
(6.42)
4. Bjarne Pedersen
(5.88)
5. Tony Rickardsson
(10.27)
6. David Ruud
(4.50a)
7.
Andre Compton (4.15) / Davey Watt (3.89)
Total 45.87/45.61 (46.00 limit)
Later
Signings:
Antonio Lindback (replacing injured Kasprzak)
Ales Dryml (replacing David Ruud)
Additional British Cup Riders
Craig Boyce (7.75)
Scott Courtney
Daniel Davidsson
(4.50a)
Signing dates
16th October :
Krzysztof Kasprzak
6th December :
Bjarne Pedersen
10th December :
David Ruud
18th December :
Leigh Adams
15th January : Tony
Rickardsson
15th January :
Lukas Dryml
15th January :
Andre Compton & Davey Watt
Next yearLast Updated : 31/10/03