Cairns turns 16 at the end of the month and will join the side for his first meeting against Glasgow on July 2 at Wimborne Road.

He arrives at the Pirates with the side sitting pretty at the top of the Championship, having avenged their only league defeat of the season against Berwick and take the aggregate point.

After Matt Marson, who was brought in to stand in until Cairns turned 16, was replaced by Darryl Ritchings, Pirates have been stronger at reserve with Ritchings impressing the Pirates faithful.

Unfortunately, Ritchings was forced to withdraw from his final meeting in Poole colours after a nasty heat two crash – but he has put himself in the shop window for another Championship ride.

(Image: Richard Crease) Pirates were inconsistent at the start of the season – with Marson struggling at reserve before he was replaced and the rest of the team having an up and down start to the campaign.

But momentum has built for Pirates, after they scraped into the semifinals of the BSN Series.

They were more convincing in sealing their spot in the KO Cup semifinals.

Their start to their Championship defence has been strong, with an away win at Glasgow and home wins over Redcar and most recently Berwick cementing their place at the top of the table.

(Image: Newsquest) Ford said he was pleased with his side’s position at this stage of the season.

“We gave the boys a bit of a kick after the start of the season, just because it wasn't a case of we just weren't good enough, it's that we had a team that we felt could be winning but unfortunately weren't,” he said.

“Now we're starting to see what we saw on paper come to fruition.

“So, things are still building.

“Obviously we've got Will coming in next meeting, which I think will give us even more firepower at reserve.

“It's really starting to look positive. We just have to carry this train going on and obviously got a week off now and then a big test against Glasgow on July 2.”

And Ford is looking forward to welcoming Cairns to the team.

(Image: Richard Crease) “This team was always built on the knowledge that Will was coming in July,” he said.

“It was kind of just treading water and grinding out as many results as we can until then.

“So to find ourselves in this position, and top of the league without Will, that makes us feel really confident.

“The fact that we've still got one of the best prospects in British speedway to come, hopefully only strengthens us more and makes us look a little bit more scary.”