Pirates set sail for semi-final

HULL Pirates warmed up for Wednesday’s Autumn Cup semi-final showdown with Sheffield Steeldogs with back-to-back victories over Blackburn and Solway in the North Cup.

Pirates were forced to grind out the wins, given they were without injured Jamie Chilcott and suspended keeper Tomas

Fucik.

They well know, though, that the

Steeldogs, who trail 4-3 from the first leg in Sheffield, will provide a much stiffer test at Hull Arena (7.30pm).

Pirates beat the Hawks thanks to Bobby Chamberlain’s hat-trick as the young forward netted on 22.56, 43.00 and 59.24 after Kieran Brown had given the Hawks an early lead.

Last night the returning Jason Hewitt put Pirates 1-0 up before Matty Davies netted twice for 3-0 at the first break.

A goalless second period saw Chamberlain ejected on a five-plus-game for fighting.

Lee Bonner stretched Pirates’ lead to four on 47.50 to wrap up the scoring and put his side top of the North Cup standings.