MATCH REPORT: Poole register first points in dramatic encounter
There have been many epic Elite League matches at Harbourside over the years and this one was right up there with the best of them.
A topsy turvy match which swung back and forth with many races which turned on their heads on the very last bend – truely dramatic stuff!
A cagey start saw 6-4s traded before the first 7-3 of the day to the hosts with the Donohue/Bas before Ipswich knocked in 3 6-4s to build up a 4 point lead with Cody Chadwick, Josh Brooke and Jamie Chittock taking classy race wins.
There was great action for the spectators. Photo by Graham Robins.
However, the interval scoreline was levelled in heat 9 with the impressive Dawid Bas once again featured along with Greg Gluchowski who blasted through to pass their opponents.
After the break Ipswich struck a blow to home hopes with a 7-3 of their own from Chadwick/Chambers right on the final bend and things got even worse in the next race when a tapes exclusion for Ganczarek gave away a 6-3 to increase the points gap to 7.
Back bounced the Comets in heat 13 with another Bas/Gluchowski 7-3 to bring it back to 63-66.
Hardly had the dust settled on that drama, than Dean Hook picked up an exclusion to gift his opponents a 7-2 and Ipswich were beginning to look out of sight on 65-73.
Back bounced Poole again with another Polish inspired maximum from Ganczarek/Bas as Brooke dropped his first points of the day. Two more shared heats and the scoreline hit 82-86 with three to go.
Drama in heat 18 saw a tapes exclusion for Jamie Chittock opening the door for a Bristowe/Ganczarek 7-2 and all of a sudden Poole took the lead for the first time in the match since heat 5 albeit by a single point!
Cometh the hour and another Gluchowski/Bas 7-3 in the nominated heat 19 put the home side on the cusp of their first Elite points of the year which were finally wrapped up with a 5-4 in heat 20.
Poole captain, Greg Gluchowski (left) and Dawid Bas (right) caused the Eagles damage. Photo by Graham Robins.
There may be question marks about the future of the Elite League but if it could always provide brilliant and closely contested matches such as this, then maybe there would be stronger hopes for its survival.
Poole 101
Dawid Bas 20, Greg Gluchowski 20, Ty Geertsen 19, Maciej Ganczarek 14, Dean Hook 11, Ben Donohue 7, Wil Bristowe 7, Jay Briggs 3.
Ipswich 95
Cody Chadwick 20, Josh Brooke 19, Charlie Rumbold 13, Dan Chambers 11, Jamie Chittock 10, Leon Mower 10, Ashley Hill 7, Richard Fellgett 5.
Referee – Robin Spicer