POOLE boss Danny Ford insists there are “bigger statements” to be made after reaching a fifth successive cup final.
The Wessex Marine Pirates lost 49-41 at Glasgow but went through on aggregate 93-87 at Ashfield Stadium on Tuesday night.
But they needed a gritty display after losing No.1 Richard Lawson on the morning of the meeting with a back injury and Lewis Kerr crashed out in his third ride.
However 16-year-old reserve Will Cairns was the hero with paid 11 points as the Pirates dug in for glory.
Ford said: “It was a really tough fight and we knew that it was going to be.
“We then lost Lewis after his first ride and had to use injury rider replacement.
“That only allows us to use Tobi (Thomsen) and the reserves and probably only got us four points. Lewis would have been expected to score a few more around here.
“Everyone dug really deep, there was a great team spirit and everyone pushed each other on.
“A special mention to Will Cairns. He had seven rides and rode out of his skin in every one of them. He worked really hard for his points.
“Those points proved vital in the end really and got us through to the final. He made the difference tonight.
“We lost Richard Lawson and, in my opinion, he’s the best rider in the league.
“I feel if we’d had a full side we would have also won on the night here, that’s what we were aiming for to be honest to send a message.
“I’m happy with that, we are through to another cup final. We’ve still got more to come. “It’s a big step towards, hopefully, retaining some silverware.”
Ford still believes that Redcar are the top side in the division after their narrow loss in the Championship play-off semi-final last week.
But the result at Glasgow is still a clear indication that the Pirates are the team to beat.
He added: “I think Redcar are still the in-form team in the league. They came here and ran Glasgow even closer.
“I don’t think we needed to make a statement. We knew this was a strong track for us. There’s bigger statements to be made yet.”
Kerr, who sustained a hip injury, lifted spectacularly in Heat 3 and crashed heavily. He misses the Blue Riband individual at Poole Stadium tonight.
MAXiCAB KO Cup, Semi-Final, 2nd leg
GLASGOW 49: Leon Flint 13+1, Dan Thompson 11+3, Chris Harris 11, Kyle Howarth 7, Freddy Hodder 4+1, Michael Palm Toft 3+1, Max Perry 0.
POOLE 41: Zach Cook 11, Jonas Jeppesen 9, Will Cairns 8+3, Tobias Thomsen 6, Anders Rowe 6, Paul Starke 1, Lewis Kerr 0.
Poole win 93-87 on aggregate.
Story by Phil Lanning.
Images by Taylor Lanning.