Pirates: Ward makes winning start to British campaign (From Thisisdorset)

Pirates: Ward makes winning start to British campaign

11:26am Monday 11th March 2013 in Latest Sport

PIRATES star Darcy Ward underlined his Grand Prix credentials by winning his opening meeting of the British racing season.

Despite receiving a late call to compete, Ward triumphed in the Freddie Lindgren Testimonial at Wolverhampton yesterday.

Ward, who will start his first full Grand Prix campaign later this month, was drafted in to replace injured former world champion Nicki Pedersen.

And the Australian quickly set about enhancing his reputation by fending off Swindon's Hans Andersen to win a two-man run-off.

The pair had finished on 13 points apiece during the regulation rides, one more than Lindgren himself who placed third on 12.

Freddie Lindgren Testimonial result: Darcy Ward 13 (after run-off), Hans Andersen 13, Freddie Lindgren 12, Tai Woffinden 9, Scott Nicholls 9, Troy Batchelor 9, Niels-Kristian Iversen 8, Rory Schlein 8, Peter Karlsson 8, Ludvig Lindgren 7, Krzysztof Kasprzak 7, Nicolai Klindt 5, Chris Harris 4, Andreas Jonsson 3, Jacob Thorssell 2 (reserve), Davey Watt 1, Adam Skornicki 1.

• Ward will start as Pirates' number one when the Dorset outfit begin their 2013 season with the defence of the Elite Shield.

Poole visit Swindon on Thursday, March 28 with the return fixture at Wimborne Road at noon on Good Friday (March 29).