Poole were left stunned in the wake of an epic 48-42 Belle Vue fightback, with the visitors forced to settle for a consolation point after the Rentruck Aces quashed their lead to surge to victory.
The Volvo Cars Pirates were having it all their own way in the opening heats, leading by a sizeable 6 points after the first two races while maintaining a 4-point advantage up to the half-way stage.
But the heroic efforts of Jason Garrity and Damian Dróżdż in Heat 8 were enough to draw the scores and provided the catalyst for a Rentruck Aces recovery that spread throughout the team.
Craig Cook, Rohan Tungate and Max Fricke provided the bulk of the home team heat winners, with Cook top-scoring on the night with 11+1, Tungate bringing in 9+1 and Max Fricke adding 8.
Though slightly disappointed at being overlooked for Heat 15, Tungate was nonetheless satisfied with a Belle Vue win, stating: “Poole were a pretty solid side and made us work hard for this one.
“It was touch and go initially. A few of our boys were struggling with set-ups and the track was catching them out in places, so getting them up to speed was absolutely crucial to our success.
“But once we’d figured things out, the momentum picked up and the points and heat wins started coming to us. We still had to fight our hardest though, even right up to the penultimate race.
“I was a bit disappointed not to get the nod for Heat 15 because I felt I had some good speed and the points to back it up, but it was Mark’s decision and the guys went out and did a great job.
“Overall, it was a good match with some great racing. We needed a good performance at home, especially after last week, and we were determined not to let Poole stop us from achieving that.”
The Belle Vue Colts head to Leicester on July 1 for National League action against Coventry, while the Rentruck Aces journey to Wimborne Road next Wednesday, July 4 to face the Pirates.
The Premiership resumes in Manchester on Monday, July 9 with a visit from Swindon, while the Cool Running Colts meet close neighbours Stoke at home the subsequent Wednesday, July 11.
Tickets for both Belle Vue home meetings are now available at www.bellevueaces.co and at the stadium box office on race night.
Words: Hayley Bromley,Images: Ian Charles
