Poole Pirates have one hand on the Elite League crown after beating the Lakeside Hammers 48-42 in the first leg of the grand final.
Pedersen shines as Pirates secure first leg advantage in Essex
Poole Pirates took a major step towards the Elite League crown as they beat the Lakeside Hammers 48-42 at the Arena Essex Raceway in the first leg of the grand final.
With inspirational skipper Bjarne Pedersen (12+2) to the fore, the Pirates ensured they will take a cushion into next week's second leg and will now expect to finish the job on their home patch.
The visitors made a flying start and having got their noses in front were always in control, although the night threw up some exciting, close racing.
Chris Holder produced an inspired ride to come from the back and win the first heat for Poole (3-3) and they turned on the style in the next two as Daniel Davidsson/Freddie Eriksson and Adam Skornicki/Pedersen both claimed 5-1s to move them 13-5 ahead.
Jonas Davidsson gave the hosts their first heat win in the fifth and when the excellent Hammers captain, Andreas Jonsson (15+1), ensured another 4-2 in the next the hosts had reduced the gap to just four points.
However, consecutive 5-1 victories reaffirmed Poole's grip on proceedings - Jonsson unable to come from 15 metres back in the eighth - with Neil Middleditch's men opening a commanding 12-point lead.
It remained a healthy advantage until the 13th when Jonsson produced a fine ride to shepherd home Tomasz Jedrzejak for a 5-1 that made the score 41-37, but Stornicki won the next as Poole responded with a 4-2 to give themselves breathing space again.
A fascinating final heat saw Jonsson take on Pedersen in a battle of the GP riders and while it was Jonsson that came out on top in the individual battle, denying his rival a maximum, Pedersen took second to set up a 3-3 that ensures Poole will start as red-hot favourites to clinch the title next week.
However, the Dane insisted he and his team were taking nothing for granted ahead of the second leg, telling
Sky Sports after the match: "We have been surprised at Poole before. We need to focus on next Monday again, but we are very pleased with the result so far."
