A STUNNING but unexpected top performance from Krzysztof Kasprzak at Ipswich last night (Oct 21) has helped edge Pirates one step closer to a second successive league and cup double.

The young Polish star stressed he had never scored a point before in two previous visits to Foxhall.

But he reeled off two heat wins - including a particularly impressive one over Witches kingpin Scott Nicholls - and also grabbed a second place as Poole RIAS lost 48-42 in the BSPA Knockout Cup final, first leg.

Kasprzak's vital eight-point return, along with similar hauls from Ryan Sullivan, Matej Ferjan and Antonio Lindback, means the Dorset club will only trail Ipswich by six going into the second leg at Poole on Sunday, October 31 at 2pm.

It means Pirates will go into the clash almost expecting to put their seventh piece of silverware in their trophy cabinet inside four years.

They have hammered Ipswich 58-34 and 48-33 at home in the Elite League already this season, although Poole team-manager Neil Middleditch has been quick to stress that the "final isn't over yet by a long way".

Kasprzak said: "I am over the moon with my performance. It was perfect.

"On my previous visits here it has been very difficult for me, but everything seemed to go well for me tonight.

"This is my second year in England and I am learning all of the time. I think that was the key for me tonight.

"It was absolutely brilliant to beat Scottie. He is a very good rider around here so I am really pleased I got the better of him.

"Now we have to look to finish the job at Poole.

"All of our team can ride better at home, so hopefully we can pull back the six points and win overall on aggregate."