Two former Workington riders, who started together after successful moto-X careers, were directly opposed in a big Championship clash.
Richard Lawson (Poole) got the better of Craig Cook (Glasgow) in their play-off semi-final on Thursday.
The Pirates ran up a huge 60-30 win over the Tigers at Wimborne Road to take control of the first leg.The Pirates repeated the score they had achieved over fellow high-flyers Leicester in the KO Cup last week, and would face the Lions again in the Grand Final if they defend their advantage at Ashfield on Saturday.
Ben Cook scored a four-ride paid maximum (10+2) for the hosts with Richard Lawson (14) only beaten in Heat 15, Steve Worrall added 11 and reserve Zach Cook piled up 13+4.
The Tigers were limited to just two race wins and one race advantage, the latter coming courtesy of Craig Cook (9+1) and Benjamin Basso with a 4-2 in Heat 15.
Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “I never saw that coming. I thought it would be a lot, lot tighter, but I said to my boys at the start of the meeting, ‘hit the ground running,’ and that’s what they did.
“I said I wanted a minimum 10 points, and 30 would be nice – but 30 is beyond our wildest dreams, and the boys were so up for it.
“I know there was all the controversy at Glasgow the other night over the abandoned meeting, but I told them to forget that, this was the night to get out on track and do it – and what a great team performance.”
Glasgow manager Cami Brown said: “I’m really gutted, it’s quite an embarrassing result, but we were beaten by a superb team. I know what Leicester felt like last week, but we’ll be giving it a bash in the second leg.”
Former Comets star Cook was set to make a guest appearance for another of his old clubs (Belle Vue) in last night’s Premiership play-off semi-final at Ipswich.
Cook, who also rode for the Witches last season, was an Aces regular from 2013-18 and steps in to cover for No.1 Max Fricke, who is out for the remainder of the campaign after crashing in Poland at the weekend.
The Foxhall side were targeting a first-leg advantage although they have often been run close at home this year – whilst the Aces’ only away wins have been at Peterborough, but they have been hugely powerful in Manchester.
