Skipper Grajczonek 'an inspiration' as Pirates seal victory at Belle Vue

The Pirates skipper recorded an impressive 13 paid 14 to guide Neil Middleditch’s men to three priceless SGB Premiership points at National Speedway Stadium.

The team boss told the Daily Echo: “Josh has answered his critics in the best possible way.

“He is certainly playing a captain’s role. He is also up and down the pits helping the boys and he’s an inspiration.”

Jack Holder (10), Nicolai Klindt (8+1) and Brady Kurtz (8) also made key contributions as Pirates leapfrogged Belle Vue in the table.

Patched up Poole were without three members of their regular septet for the clash with the Aces.

The visitors used rider replacement for Richie Worrall, who broke his ankle in four places when the sides met at Wimborne Road on Thursday.

Fellow injury victim Nico Covatti was ruled out having suffered broken ribs – Luke Becker guested in his place.

Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen was still out through illness, meaning former Belle Vue man Jye Etheridge stepped in.

Now back at number one for Pirates ahead of Holder, Kurtz was just edged out by his fellow countryman Max Fricke in a thrilling heat one.

Kurtz had got the better of the Aces skipper on the opening lap before Fricke roared around the outside to take the chequered flag. Jaimon Lidsey claimed third as the hosts gained their first heat advantage.

Dimitri Berge led from the gate in a shared heat two before a moment of magic from in-form skipper Grajczonek helped Pirates to a 5-1 in race three.

The Townsville charger went from last to first, piercing through the Aces pair of Dan Bewley and Steve Worrall en route to a maximum with Nicolai Klindt.

Kenneth Bjerre took victory in front of Poole’s Holder and Etheridge in heat four but the Dorset club remained 13-11 in front.

Pirates star Kurtz stormed to triumph from the tapes in heat five. Bewley got the better of Etheridge for second but, with the reserve in third, Pirates extended to four points their overall advantage.

A fearless ride from Holder ensured he became the first man to beat Fricke on the night as the points were level in heat six.

Another magical display from Grajczonek saw him pass Kenneth Bjerre and Berge to earn second spot in race seven, with him and Klindt teaming up for another 5-1.

And man-of-the-moment Grajczonek continued his resounding form by overhauling Lidsey in the following heat, powering up the inside on lap three to claim victory and help Poole surge into a 10-point lead.

Aces boss Mark Lemon tracked Fricke as a tactical substitute in race nine – he sealed the spoils after a devastating pass to get the better of Holder.

Red-hot Grajczonek then overcame of Australian champion Fricke in a shared heat 10, while Kurtz continued Poole’s dominance having led from the gate in heat 11.

Danish star Klindt then banged in a heat win ahead of Bewley and Berge as the scores were level in race 12.

Fricke showed his class to pick up victory in heat 13 ahead of Holder, but Poole still led by eight with two races remaining.

Impressive Grajczonek was finally beaten by a Belle Vue rider when he was toppled by Berge, despite pushing the reserve all the way in the penultimate heat.

The visiting captain’s second place was enough to wrap up the meeting however.

Aces pair Fricke and Bjerre dialled in a maximum to reduce to two points the final deficit but it was not enough as Pirates continued their impressive away form.