Bees had won all three major trophies in 2007 but having been forced to rip up that team, they had made an inauspicious start to the following season.
They had already dropped home points in the Elite League against Eastbourne and Belle Vue, and the previous visit of the Pirates had seen them edge to a 48-45 victory.
That underlined what a huge task they faced in their bid to reach the Craven Shield Final, as the first leg at Wimborne Road saw the home side race to an emphatic 58-34 victory.
Poole were overwhelming title favourites led by Bjarne Pedersen and Davey Watt, with new signing Chris Holder making a mockery of his converted Premier League average, and with Adam Skornicki starring at reserve.
And Bees suffered a further blow when Olly Allen picked up a hand injury in Poland 24 hours before the second leg, with rider-replacement the only facility available, whilst No.8 Ben Barker stepped in to replace the injured Andreas Messing.
The Pirates were without two of their Poles, Karol Zabik and Zibi Suchecki, with r/r covering in the top five and Craig Watson stepping in at reserve.
Nobody present could possibly have given the Bees any chance whatsoever of pulling off the turnaround required – but nobody was expecting the 15 heats of drama which followed.
BUILDBASE BEES: Chris Harris, Olly Allen r/r, Rory Schlein, Billy Janniro, Simon Stead, Stanislaw Burza, Ben Barker. POOLE: Bjarne Pedersen, Karol Zabik r/r, Chris Holder, Freddie Eriksson, Davey Watt, Craig Watson, Adam Skornicki.