Pirates: Masters still in the frame for final team spot (From Thisisdorset)

Pirates: Masters still in the frame for final team spot

7:00am Wednesday 12th December 2012 in Latest Sport

PIRATES chief Matt Ford insisted Sam Masters could still win a 2013 team spot at Wimborne Road.

The Aussie was a disappointment in 2012, seeing his 4.51 starting average drop to just 3.85 at the end of the campaign.

Masters, who earlier this month signed for Premier League Edinburgh, carried a weight of expectation on his shoulders going into the last campaign, having stormed to the Premier League riders’ championship title the year before.

But despite showing good form in the world under-21 championship rounds and Grand Prix qualifiers, Masters was found wanting in the Elite League.

Ford, though, revealed his was still considering the 21-year-old for his final 2013 spot.

He told the Echo: “Sam could still come into our plans and, at the least, when Rohan Tungate is unavailable, Sam could come in for him as his average is lower than Rohan’s.

“Sam could come into play for the final team place as well, but I am exploring one or two other options at the moment.

“The final signing may just take another week or two, but everything should be wrapped up this side of Christmas.”

Masters won the New South Wales Championship in his homeland earlier this month, finishing in front of Poole new boy Tungate.

Ford, meanwhile, has already confirmed six of Pirates’ 2013 line-up, with Chris Holder and Darcy Ward joined by Brit Kyle Howarth, Aussie Tungate and Poles Maciej Janowski and Robert Miskowiak.

The Pirates promoter has 4.20 team building points remaining for his final rider, with Masters and the likes of Mark Lemon and Matej Kus fitting the bill.