PIRATES star Lukas Dryml has admitted he is still looking for more points despite scorching to double figure returns in their last three Elite League meetings.

The Czech Republic international has already made a big name for himself among the Poole Meridian Lifts faithful since his winter loan move from Oxford.

But he admitted he could still do better before Pirates' home league clash against Peterborough tonight (7.30pm).

Dryml, who has reeled off 13-point hauls against Belle Vue (home), Peterborough (away) and Oxford (home), was only denied his first full maximum for his new club by an engine failure last week.

He had impressed the Wimborne Road crowd with four straight heat wins before he had to pull out while leading heat 15 against Trelawny in the British League Cup last Wednesday.

With that in mind, Dryml said: "I have been having a few problems with my bikes and it is costing me too many points.

"I am a bit down at the moment. I don't know what is happening with the bikes but we are working hard on them.

"I'm always trying new things, whether it is a new engine or a different set up."

Dryml, who has more than lived up to his billing as Pirates' third heat leader, especially at home, added: "I am really happy to be here at Poole.

"And I always look forward to my meetings here. It is a good home track for me and the team is doing well, which helps.

"I was happy at Oxford, but everything changed there after my first season. It wasn't really looking good before the start of the season and that's why I had to move.

"I was trying to find the best club to ride for and I'm glad to say I did. I am so happy to be at Poole.

"All the people here are working hard to try and win the league title. There are a couple of strong sides out there and every year the league gets stronger.

"If we don't suffer any major problems we can still be strong challengers for the title. That is what we are trying to achieve.

"One thing I want to say is a big thank you to all the supporters and sponsors in Poole who have got so firmly behind me. I really appreciate that. They are great.

"I also want to thank the Poole promoters for signing me. They have been very supportive of me since I have been here."

Pirates go into tonight's clash in fifth place in the table after slipping from second because they have been involved in British Premier League and Elite League Knockout Cup action. Victories over Trelawny (twice) and East-bourne, the KO Cup holders, have boosted the Poole camp and they would hope to defeat a Panthers side that includes ex-Pirates from 2002, Gary Havelock and Hans Andersen.

Pirates are at full strength with Andre Compton riding at number seven, but Davey Watt will line up in that position when Eastbourne visit Wimborne Road in the league on Bank Holiday Monday (6pm start).

Panthers, who lost 49-41 at Poole in a season-opening challenge match in March, protect a four-point lead in the battle for the bonus point following their 47-43 home triumph in the league last month.

The East of England Show-ground outfit have climbed up to second in the table after a good recent run in which Havelock and Andersen have weighed in with some big scores.

Peterborough have won six league meetings on the trot, defeating Belle Vue (53-37), Poole (47-43), Oxford 59-31), Ipswich (62-28) and Wolves (58-32) at home and Ipswich 47-43 (away). But the Pan-thers lost 52-38 in the KO Cup at Coventry in their last outing.

Pirates: 1 Leigh Adams, 2 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 3 Lukas Dryml, 4 Bjarne Pedersen, 5 Tony Rickardsson, 6 David Ruud, 7 Andre Compton.

Peterborough: 1 Ryan Sullivan, 2 Shane Parker, 3 Piotr Protasiewicz, 4 Hans Andersen, 5 Gary Havelock, 6 Kenneth Bjerre, 7 Chris Harris.

Lee Richardson will guest in place of the injured Mark Loram for Eastbourne against Poole on Bank Holiday Monday.