Wolves left to lick their wounds

Wolves 39 Poole 54

As team manager Peter Adams put it: "We can concentrate on the league now."

Dark humour is probably the only adequate response to a comprehensive Knockout Cup defeat that renders next week's quarter-final second leg at Poole redundant.

Wolves, shorn by injury of both Tai Woffinden and Nicolai Klindt, then saw mechanical woe restrict No.1 Freddie Lindgren to such an extent that he didn't win a single regular race.

The Swede's only success came in the silly match race option that is now available to a trailing team in this competiton instead of the customary tactical ride.

Lindgren led Chris Holder and the Poole ace, in hot pursuit, slid off going into the pits turn.

It was, ironically, not only Lindgren's sole race win but the Pirate's sole blemish in a mesmerising display of ability and courage.

While team-mate Darcy Ward was seldom under pressure in a five-ride full house, Holder had to put himself through the mill. The skill was apparent as he rounded Ty Proctor and debutant Robert Miskowiak in one move off the fourth turn in heat 13; the guts were displayed eight heats earlier.

Not only did Holder produce a fantastic 'save' when looking every inch a faller after overcooking the second turn, he maintained focus and unveiled a breathtaking pass on fellow Aussie Proctor to take the win.

He got plenty of backing right through the order on a night that saw the visitors first to the flag in 12 of the 15 heats.

Wolves, by contrast, were second best at pretty much every level bar reserve where Ricky Wells made hay and was paid for 14 points.

He dominated the two Poole reserves, took points off Ricky Kling and Adrian Miedzinski and looked a man more than happy with his lot.

Elsewhere, Miskowiak looked better with every race as he familiarised himself with English conditions after 18 months away.

Proctor rode his heart out but Pontus Aspgren, a gritty heat eight win against fellow Swede Kling apart, struggled.

And Lukasz Sowka's lingering ordeal continues as he made good starts but failed to convert them into points.

Sowka appeared unhappy with Aspgren in that eighth heat, seeming to indicate that his partner had inadvertently hampered his run out of the second corner.

He may have a point, but it was no fault of Aspgren's that Sowka surrendered third place to Kyle Howarth on the very next turn without a fight. And fight is what Wolves need now – that and some good news from the hospitals.