Pedersen is ‘hungry’ for silverware with Pirates (From Thisisdorset)

Pedersen is ‘hungry’ for silverware with Pirates

7:00am Wednesday 8th October 2008 in

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BJARNE Pedersen has admitted he is as hungry as ever to pick up an amazing eighth trophy for Pirates inside seven seasons.

Not only that, the Dane is determined to emulate Tony Rickardsson and Magnus Zetterstrom and lift the Elite League silverware by skippering the side to title glory.

Pedersen, who joined Poole from Newcastle in 2002, has already featured in seven trophy-winning teams for the Dorset club since then.

On display in the Pedersen family home are medals for finishing top of the pile in the Elite League (twice), Knockout Cup (twice), Craven Shield (twice) and British League Cup.

Now Poole's captain is on the verge of making it eight following his scintillating 12 paid 14 point performance in their stunning 48-42 success at Lakeside in the Elite League play-off final, first leg.

He will lead Pirates into the second leg at home on Monday with his side firm favourites to apply the final hammer blow to the Hammers.

Asked how badly he wanted to win some more silverware for Poole, Pedersen said: "That has been something I've been thinking about, especially over the last two weeks when I knew we were close to the final.

"I've thought about it more since we got into the final and it would be great to lift the title as a captain.

"When I started at Poole, Tony Rickardsson was skipper, and I was always looking up to Tony.

"It would just be great if I can follow in the same tyre treads as him by winning the title as Poole's captain.

"I have won it twice before, the second time when Magnus was skipper, but I'm still very hungry for more. I showed that by dropping only one point to an opponent at Lakeside."

Pedersen, controversially chosen ahead of Jason Crump to lead Pirates this year, added: "It was like a dream come true for us to win like that at Lakeside.

"Especially after Middlo (Neil Middleditch) and me said we would be happy to lose by about 10 points, a maximum of 12.

"To go away with a six-point win, it's a great result for us.

"We won't take anything for granted though because there are still 15 heats to go."

Pedersen received a lot of plaudits for his impressive individual display, but was quick to praise his race partner Adam Skornicki, who got a scintillating 10 paid 11.

Poole's skipper said: "He was fantastic, it was great to see him riding like that.

"Adam was absolutely flying. That was perfect.

"I would not say I'm surprised because he has been going good all season, but this must be one of his best displays as it has come at Lakeside.

"We both rode well, but the most important thing was everyone in the team performed great.

"The Poole fans who travelled to Lakeside were also fantastic and we were all really glad to see so many of them there to help us."

Pedersen and Chris Holder represent Pirates in the Elite League Riders' Championship at Birmingham tonight (7.30pm).

ELRC line-up: 1 Holder (Poole), 2 Crump (Belle Vue), 3 Lindgren (Wolves), 4 Adams (Swindon), 5 Harris (Coventry), 6 Kennett (Eastbourne), 7 Swiderski (Ipswich), 8 Bjerre (Peterborough), 9 Gjedde (Swindon), 10 Pavlic (Swindon), 11 Lanham (Lakeside), 12 Pedersen (Poole), 13 King (Peterborough), 14 Schlein (Ipswich), 15 Andersen (Coventry), 16 Iversen (Wolves).