TEAM boss Neil Middleditch has backed his trio of “fearless” newcomers to make an impact on Poole Pirates’ quest for a third straight Elite League title.

Rider averages and the suspension of talisman Darcy Ward forced the Wimborne Road club to make five changes to their championship winning side ahead of the 2015 season.

The three riders stepping into Poole’s one-to-seven for the first time – Dakota North, Kacper Gomolski and Paul Starke – all impressed in both legs of the club’s 96-85 Elite Shield victory over King’s Lynn before a mix-and-match side drew 45-45 in Friday’s challenge at Somerset.

And Middleditch reckons the flying starts made by his new recruits could be a sign of things to come.

Summarising Poole’s three meetings to date, Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “I am very pleased with the start. The team is showing a lot of promise, particularly the three newcomers.

“It is always important to start well at a new club and if they can keep that up, with the experience and quality we have throughout the rest of the team, we will be in there again challenging for the play-offs.

“Most of the boys had ridden the Poole track before but I was still pleasantly surprised with how they adapted. You can’t tell how things are going to go until you get a few weeks into the season but the initial signs are very good.

“Dak (North) is showing he is a very capable rider who can mix it with anybody. Big names don’t faze him and it is good to see.

“Kacper is the same, he is like another Vaclav Milik who wheel chases everybody. He certainly never gives up.

“Paul Starke looks like he will give us a sting in the tail. Kyle Newman was a bit of a one-man band last season but on first showing, Paul looks really good and as a pairing they are capable of helping us to another successful year in 2015.”

Middleditch added: “Maciej (Janowski) has started very well as captain. We were a bit concerned about Chris and the knock he took at King’s Lynn but he looked back to his best in the pairs.

“Hopefully that will be the case again when we face Swindon over Easter.”