Mark Loram beat world champion Tony Rickardsson three times at Poole last night.

Even that could not prevent Eastbourne Eagles sinking to their heaviest defeat of the season against the Pirates.

Poole ran out winners by 52-38, clinching the bonus point in the process and leaving the Sussex squad empty-handed in their efforts to land the Elite League title.

Not many riders get the better of Rickardsson on his home track but Loram did the trick in heats one, 11 and 15.

Once again, however, Eagles relied heavily on Loram and David Norris, who scored 24 of their points between them.

Skipper Joe Screen had another disappointing night, scoring only three points.

Eastbourne led in the early stages, but once Poole took over the lead in heat six the visitors, with too many riders firing blanks in their rides, were always up against it.

Four 5-1 heat wins made short work of Eastbourne's eight-point bonus advantage from the reverse fixture at Arlington a week ago.

The battle for the No. 1 spot could now go right to Eastbourne's last league match at home to Coventry on September 7.

Poole: Tony Rickardsson 15, Hans Andersen 10, Bjarne Pedersen 9, Lars Gunnestad 9, Henrik Gustafsson 6, Andre Compton 3.

Eastbourne: Mark Loram 14, David Norris 10, Magnus Zetterstrom 6, Stefan Andersson 3, Joe Screen 3, Savalas Clouting 2.