Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Pirates: Debut boy Dennis an instant hit
DENNIS Andersson admitted he was glad to get his first crash at Poole safely out the way unscathed after starring for Pirates in their comfortable victory over Eastbourne last night.[LNB] The young Swede looks set to have an eye-catching season for the Dorset club in his debut year in British speedway after rattling up a classy 11 points from five rides against the Eagles.[LNB] Andersson, whose next door neighbour is former Pirates star and six-times world champion Tony Rickardsson, was red hot out of the traps for most of the contest.[LNB] When he missed the gate, he was forceful, but fair, on the first bend to flash past Lewis Bridger on the inside in heat two to claim victory in his first race in front of the Wimborne Road faithful.[LNB] That was the first of three accomplished chequered flags for Poole's reserve, who shone again following his impressive 12 paid 14 point performance during their 57-33 defeat at Arlington on Sunday.[LNB] Andersson's crash came in heat seven when, out-trapped by Eastbourne's Simon Gustafsson, he bravely tried to blast round the outside of his compatriot on the fourth turn into second, only to hit the deck.[LNB] Many in a season opening night crowd of about 1,500 thought the worst at first as Andersson hardly moved straight after the accident.[LNB] But he slowly got to his feet, and though correctly excluded from the re-run, came out later to bag a solid second behind Eagles tactical man Bjarne Pedersen in race 11 and a brilliant Poole 5-1 with Jason Doyle over Woodward and Dawid Lam-part in the penultimate heat.[LNB] Andersson, who isn't getting carried away with his good start for Pirates, said: I tried to go round on the outside because I thought Simon was cutting back on the inside of (leader) Davey (Watt).[LNB] Unfortunately, as I went he decided to go out and I didn't have room to have a slide.[LNB] My footrest ended up in the fence, I got stuck and that was the end of that. I always think it's good to have your first crash of the season and come out of it okay.[LNB] It makes you feel better and better, that you can get back on the bike and feel more confident about it.[LNB] Of course, I'll try not to make the same mistake again, though![LNB] I was pleased with my first home meeting for Poole, particularly as it's the first time I've ridden the track.[LNB] Another Pirates new boy, Renat Gafurov, also caught the eye on his way to two race wins and a spectacular eight paid nine.[LNB] The Russian grabbed everyone's attention with a lightning gate and opening heat victory over former Poole stalwart Pedersen, returning to Wimborne Road for the first time since his loan move to Eagles over the winter, and Pirates spearhead Chris Holder.[LNB] Pedersen, not surprisingly, impressed for Eagles, while Hol-der, Watt and Christian Hefen-brock were solid for Pirates.[LNB] Doyle produced the pass of the night, diving under Bridger on the fourth turn for third in heat nine.[LNB] Ex-Pirate Mark Loram last night confirmed the line-up for his farewell meeting at Poole next Wednesday.[LNB] Greg Hancock, Ryan Sullivan, Edward Kennett, Adam Shields, Joe Screen, Simon Stead and Hans Andersen have joined earlier confirmed starters Jason Crump, Watt, Fredrik Lindgren, Adam Skornicki, Gafurov, Holder and Scott Nicholls.[LNB]
