ANTONIO Lindback heaped praise on his Pirates team-mates after they had pulled back a six-point deficit to beat Swindon 51-39 at Wimborne Road last night.

The Brazilian-born Swede reeled off three heat wins on his way to an impressive 10 point haul as the tapes went up on a new season for Poole RIAS.

But it was a solid all round team performance that saw six of the seven Pirates gain at least one paid race triumph that sealed their comeback victory in front of a 3,000 crowd.

Lindback said: "Our whole team rode very well. We were slow at the beginning and I don't know why.

"At the end, we came back well though and I think the Poole riders did a great job to win.

"I am happy to be in the team. The team spirit is very good and I hope we can go far this season.

"Of course, the other Elite League teams are very good, but I hope we can go forward this year."

Lindback added: "I was very nervous before the start of the meeting, especially as I didn't go so well in the last few matches last season. So to score 10 points in the first meeting of a new campaign is unbelievable.

"I don't want to score under five points a meeting this year and I hope I can achieve that.

"That's why I'm so happy I could get 10 points against Swindon.

"My first gate in heat two was terrible because I slid, but the rest were very good.

"I have a new mechanic who helps me, he is very good and we quickly sorted the bike out. I just think it was my night tonight."

Tony Rickardsson top-scored for Pirates with 12 paid 13 as they came through their first test of the season, while Jason Lyons notched nine paid 12 on his home debut.

Leigh Adams, who left Wimborne Road for Swindon over the winter, defeated Rickardsson twice as he reeled of four straight wins.

But his maximum hopes disappeared when he finished last in heat 15.

Pirates travel to Swindon tonight (7.30pm) with the same seven riders and will hope to protect their 12-point advantage in the second leg of the challenge match.

Swindon also field the same seven-man line-up although both sides will switch their reserve riders from positions six to seven and vice-versa.