The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators suffered last heat heartache when the Oxford Cheetahs snatched a 47-43 victory at the Coliseum.

In another close, competitive meeting, the Gladiators had opened up a 10 point lead after heat 5 before the Cheetahs took heat advantages in the 8th and 9th and a 2-4 heat advantage in the penultimate race to level the scores.

The nominated heat 15, saw the Cheetahs take a maximum 5-1 from Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters to take victory on the night.

Dan Thompson, Ben Barker and Joe Thompson top scored for The Gladiators with 12+1, 12+1 and 12 respectively.

Plymouth Gladiators = 43 (82)

1. Nico Covatti R/R (BB - 3, DT - 2, JH - 0, MP - 0) = 5

2. Max Perry (G) - 0, 0, 0 = 0

3. Dan Thompson - 3, 3, 2, 2, 1’, 1 = 12+1

4. Patrick Baek - 1, 0, 0 = 1

5. Ben Barker - 3, 3, 3, 1’, 2, 0 = 12+1

6. Joe Thompson - 3, 0, R, 3, 2, 2, 2 = 12

7. Jacob Hook - 2’, 2’, 1, 0, 1’ = 6+3

Oxford Cheetahs = 47 (98)

1. Sam Masters - 2, 2, 3, 3, 3, 2’ = 15+1

2. Cameron Heeps - 1’, 1’, 3, 0 = 5+2

3. Ashton Boughen - 0, 2, 1’, 3 = 6+1

4. Jordan Jenkins - 2, 1’, 2, 3 = 8+1

5. Scott Nicholls - R, 1, 3, 1, 3 = 8

6. Luke Killeen - FX, 2’, 0, FX = 2+1

7. Jody Scott (G) - 1, 1, 1 = 3

Heat Results

Heat 01: Barker, Masters, Heeps, Perry 3-3, 51.85

Heat 02: J. Thompson, Hook, Scott, Killeen (FX) 5-1, 8-4, Awarded

Heat 03: D. Thompson, Jenkins, Baek, Boughen 4-2, 12-6, 54.27

Heat 04 Re-Run x2: Barker, Hook, Scott, Nicholls (R) 5-1, 17-7, 53.72

Heat 05: D. Thompson, Masters, Heeps, Baek 3-3, 20-10, 53.62

Heat 06: Masters, D. Thompson, Nicholls, Perry 2-4, 22-14, 52.99

Heat 07: Barker, Boughen, Jenkins, J. Thompson 3-3, 25-17, 53.59

Heat 08: Heeps, Killeen, Hook, J. Thompson (R) 1-5, 26-22, 55.37

Heat 09: Nicholls, D. Thompson, Scott, Baek 2-4, 28-26, 51.85

Heat 10: J. Thompson, Jenkins, Boughen, Hook 3-3, 31-29, 53.87

Heat 11: Masters, J. Thompson, Barker, Heeps 3-3, 34-32, 53.49

Heat 12: Boughen, J. Thompson, D. Thompson, Killeen 3-3, 37-35, 54.56l

Heat 13: Masters, Barker, Nicholls, Perry 2-4, 39-39, 54.33

Heat 15: Nicholls, Masters, D. Thompson, Barker 1-5, 43-47, 52.40

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Dan Westlake

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators conclude their 2024 home season when they take on the Oxford Cheetahs in the Cab Direct Championship at The Coliseum this evening (31st August) with tapes up 7pm.

The Cheetahs currently sit second in the Championship table and took a 51-39 victory over The Gladiators at Sandy Lane earlier in August, although the Gladiators secured a 49-41 victory at The Coliseum in the BSN Series, back in May.

The Gladiators are without both Nico Covatti and Alfie Bowtell due to injury, and have yet to confirm Rider replacements / guests*, whilst Jody Scott comes in for Adam Roynon at reserve for the Cheetahs.

* Any guest updates will be confirmed on the Gladiators Facebook channel

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators

1 TBC* 2 TBC* 3 Dan Thompson 4 Patryk Baek 5 Ben Barker (Capt) 6 Joe Thompson 7 Jacob Hook

Oxford Cheetahs

1 Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Ashton Boughen 4. Jordan Jenkins  5. Scott Nicholls, 6. Luke Killeen 7. Jody Scott.

Meeting Info:

Gates Open: 5:45pm

Tapes Up: 7pm

Admission: (Cash only at the gate, no cards)

Adults Seating £20

Adults Standing £18

11-17 Years £11

Under 11 Free.

For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Gladiators Live. Click here for full information. Please note this is the only official stream, all other links are spam, please do not click them.

The recent postponed clash away at Workington, has now been rescheduled for Saturday, September 7th. Tapes up at 3.00pm

The Poole Pirates took all of the points with a 41-49 victory over the Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators in another nip and tuck meeting at The Coliseum.

The Gladiators had led from the second heat through to heat 10, before former Gladiator Paul Stake teamed up with Richard Lawson in the 11th heat, to take a maximum heat advantage to level the scores. 

The Gladiators edged back in front in the 12th heat thanks to a 4-2 from the Thompson twins, before Ben Barker was excluded after a coming together with Tom Brennan in heat 13.  The re-run saw the Pirates claim a 5-1 followed by further 4-2 heat advantage in the 14th and a 5-1 in the nominated heat 15, to take victory on the night along with the aggregate bonus point. 

Dan Thompson again top scored for the Gladiators with 13, backed by brother Joe Thompson (10+3) and Alfie Bowtell with 8.

The Gladiators away fixture at Workington tomorrow (25th August) has been postponed due to the weather.

Scores and heat results.

Plymouth Gladiators = 41

1. Nico Covatti R/R (BB - 1’, DT - 3, JT - 1’, AB - 1) = 6+2

2. Alfie Bowtell - 2, 0, 3, 2, 1 = 8

3. Dan Thompson - 2, 2, 3, 2, 3, 1 = 13

4. Patrick Baek - 0, 1’, R = 1+1

5. Ben Barker - 1’, 3, 2, 1, X, 0 = 7+1

6. Joe Thompson - 3, 1’, 2’, 1’, 1, 2 = 10+3

7. Jacob Hook - 2’, FX, 0, 0 = 2+1

Poole Pirates = 49

1. Richard Lawson - 3, 3, 1, 2’, 2’, 3 = 14+2

2. Sam Hagon - 0, 0, 0 = 0

3. Ben Cook - 3, 3, 0, 0 = 6

4. Zach Cook - 1, 0, 3, 3, 2’ = 9+1

5. Tom Brennan - 2, 2, 3, 3 = 10

6. Paul Starke (G) - R, 1’, 3, 2, 1 = 7+1

7. Ben Trigger (G) - 1, 1’, 1 = 3+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Lawson, Bowtell, Barker, Hagon 3-3

Heat 02: J. Thompson, Hook, Trigger, Starke (R) 5-1, 8-4, 54.55

Heat 03: B. Cook, D. Thompson, Z. Cook, Baek 2-4, 10-8, 53.16

Heat 04: Barker, Brennan, Trigger, Hook (FX) 3-3, 13-11, Awarded

Heat 05: Lawson, D. Thompson, Baek, Hagon 3-3, 16-14, 52.99

Heat 06: D. Thompson, Brennan, Starke, Bowtell 3-3, 19-17, 53.06

Heat 07: B. Cook, Barker, J. Thompson, Z. Cook 3-3, 22-20, 53.29

Heat 08: Bowtell, J. Thompson, Trigger, Hagon 5-1, 27-21, 54.45

Heat 09: Brennan, D. Thompson, Lawson, Baek (R) 2-4, 29-25, 52.87

Heat 10: Z. Cook, Bowtell, J. Thompson, B. Cook 3-3, 32-28, 53.51

Heat 11: Starke, Lawson, Barker, Hook 1-5, 33-33, 53.63

Heat 12: D. Thompson, Starke, J. Thompson, B. Cook 4-2, 37-35, 53.93

Heat 13 Re-Run: Brennan, Lawson, Bowtell, Barker (X) 1-5, 38-40, 53.13

Heat 14: Z. Cook, J. Thompson, Starke, Hook 2-4, 40-44, 53.55

Heat 15: Lawson, Z. Cook, D. Thompson, Barker 1-5, 41-49, 53.52

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image credit: Dan Westlake.

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators quickly return to track action, when they take on the Poole Pirates in the Cab Direct Championship at The Coliseum this evening (24th August) - tapes up 7pm.

Following the close defeat away at The Redcar Bears last night, the Gladiators will be looking to bounce back and take victory against the high flying Pirates, who currently sit at the top of the Cab Direct Championship.

The Gladiators will run Rider Replacement for the injured Nico Covatti, unless a suitable guest becomes available*, whilst former Gladiators Ben Trigger and Paul Starke come in for Tobias Thomsen (compassionate leave) and the injured Vinne Joe Foord for The Pirates.

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators

1 RR / TBC* 2 Alfie Bowtell 3 Dan Thompson 4 Patryk Baek 5 Ben Barker (Capt) 6 Joe Thompson 7 Jacob Hook

Poole Pirates 

1 Richard Lawson 2 Sam Hagon 3 Ben Cook (Capt) 4 Zach Cook 5 Tom Brennan 6 Paul Starke (G) 7 Ben Trigger (G)

* Any guest will be confirmed on the Gladiators Facebook channel

Meeting Info:

Gates Open: 5:45pm

Tapes Up: 7pm

Admission: (Cash only at the gate, no cards)

Adults Seating £20

Adults Standing £18

11-17 Years £11

Under 11 Free.

For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Gladiators Live. Click here for full information. Please note this is the only official stream, all other links are spam, please do not click them.

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators suffered a 48-42 defeat against the Redcar Bears in the Cab Direct Championship.

The Gladiators kept it close throughout the meeting, and were only 2 points down after heat 10, but heat advantages to Redcar in the 11th and 13th heats, saw the Bears home, who also took the aggregate bonus point 95-85.

Dan Thompson once again top scored for the Gladiators with 14, backed by brother Joe with 8+1.

The Gladiators return to action at The Coliseum tomorrow (24th August) when they take on the Poole Pirates in the Cab Direct Championship (tapes up 7pm).

Redcar = 48 (95)

1. Charles Wright - 3, 3, 3, 2’ = 11+1 (Paid Maximum)

2. Jordan Jenkins (G) - 1, FX, 2, 1 = 4

3. Danyon Hume (G) - 2, 3, 0, 3 = 8

4. Jason Edwards - 0, 2’, 1, 2, 0 = 5+1

5. Danny King - 2, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14

6. Ben Trigger - 0, 1, 1, 0 = 2

7. Jake Mulford - 3, 0, 1’, 0 = 4+1

Plymouth = 42 (85)

1. Drew Kemp (G) - 0, 1, 2, 1, 1’ = 5+1

2. Alfie Bowtell - 2, 0, 3, 0 = 5

3. Dan Thompson - 3, 2, 2, 2, 3, 2 = 14

4. Patrick Baek - 1, 0, 0 = 1

5. Ben Barker - 3, 1’, 3, 0 = 7+1

6. Joe Thompson - 2, 2, 2’, 1’, 1 = 8+2

7. Jacob Hook - 1’, 1, 0 = 2+1

Heat Results

Heat 01 Re-Run: Wright, Bowtell, Jenkins, Kemp 4-2, 53.7

Heat 02 Re-Run: Mulford, J. Thompson, Hook, Trigger 3-3, 7-5, 55.8

Heat 03: D. Thompson, Hume, Baek, Edwards 2-4, 9-9, 55.6

Heat 04: Barker, King, Hook, Mulford 2-4, 11-13, 55.6

Heat 05: Hume, Edwards, Kemp, Bowtell 5-1, 16-14, 55.6

Heat 06 Re-Run: Wright, J. Thompson, Barker, Jenkins (FX) 3-3, 19-17, 54.5

Heat 07: King, D. Thompson, Trigger, Baek 4-2, 23-19, 55.8

Heat 08: Bowtell, Jenkins, Mulford, Hook 3-3, 26-22, 56.7

Heat 09: Barker, J. Thompson, Edwards, Hume 1-5, 27-27, 55.9

Heat 10: Wright, D. Thompson, Jenkins, Baek 4-2, 31-29, 55.7

Heat 11: King, Kemp, Trigger, Bowtell 4-2, 35-31, 56.4

Heat 12: Hume, D. Thompson, J. Thompson, Mulford 3-3, 38-34, 56.0

Heat 13 Re-Run: King, Wright, Kemp, Barker 5-1, 43-35, 55.9

Heat 14: D. Thompson, Edwards, J. Thompson, Trigger 2-4, 45-39, 56.5

Heat 15: King, D. Thompson, Kemp, Edwards 3-3, 48-42, 56.5

Courtesy of Speedway Updates.

Image credit: Dan Westlake

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators start a busy week of Cab Direct Championship action when they take on The Redcar Bears at the ECCO Arena tonight (tapes up 7.30pm)

With Number 1 Nico Covatti ruled out for the remainder of the season, the Gladiators bring in Drew Kemp as a guest. whilst the Bears operate rider replacement for Dan Gilkes

Following the clash against the Bears, the Gladiators then return to The Coliseum on Saturday when they take on the Poole Pirates (tapes up 7pm)

Teams for Friday 

Redcar Bears

1. Charles Wright 2. Dan Gilkes R/R 3. Danyon Hume (G) 4. Jason Edwards 5. Danny King 6. Ben Trigger 7. Jake Mulford 

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators

1. Drew Kemp (G) 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Dan Thompson 4. Patrick Baek 5. Ben Barker 6. Joe Thompson 7. Jacob Hook

Image credit: Dan Westlake

Dan Thompson and Ben Barker will represent The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators in the Championship Pairs which takes place at Oxford Speedway tonight (Friday).

All nine Cab Direct Championship clubs are represented in the major event which has its traditional place on the calendar the day before the British Grand Prix at Cardiff.

Glasgow are defending champions and have recent signing Anders Rowe joining skipper Chris Harris, who was part of their winning combination last year, whilst the hosts track a formidable combination of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m sure an amazing night is ahead. I am delighted that Oxford Stadium is staging the Championship Pairs for a third successive season.

“It’s fabulous for this stadium to stage big events like this – it’s great for Kevin (Boothby), for Jamie (Courtney), for everyone involved with our club.

“The last two stagings have been hotly contested and this year’s line-up looks better than ever. It’s a very tough line-up and no-one can be under-estimated.

“I believe Oxford is a very fair racetrack and that gives everyone a chance of success. Of course, I wish to see Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters win it for the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs and that would be terrific for our own supporters. But every club can start their Cardiff weekend in style.”

All nine pairs take four rides over an 18-heat format, with 4-3-2-0 scoring, and the top four pairs then progress to the semi-finals and Final where the highest-scoring pair in each race are the winners.

Gates will open at Cowley at 5.30pm, and between 5.45-6.25pm the pits will be open to supporters. The parade will take place at 7.20pm with the first race at 7.30pm.

Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/ .

Tickets are priced at adults £22, children (11-15) £5 and under-11s free. Free car parking is available at the Unipart car park while availability lasts. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.

Line-up:

PLYMOUTH: Ben Barker and Dan Thompson
BERWICK: Lewis Kerr and Drew Kemp
GLASGOW: Chris Harris and Anders Rowe
REDCAR: Charles Wright and Danny King
EDINBURGH: Josh Pickering and Paco Castagna
WORKINGTON: Troy Batchelor and Antti Vuolas
SCUNTHORPE: Michael Palm Toft and Kyle Howarth
POOLE: Richard Lawson and Ben Cook
OXFORD: Scott Nicholls and Sam Masters

*LIVE STREAMING: https://watch.britishspeedway.co.uk

The Plymouth ProPark Gladiators moved off the bottom of the Cab Direct Championship table with a 49-40 victory over The Glasgow Tigers, in another close encounter at The Coliseum.

Tigers skipper Chris Harris set the tone of the meeting, breaking the track record in heat one, before The Gladiators took control, leading by 8 points after heat nine. Glasgow clawed their way back into the meeting following a tactical ride by Harris in heat 11, before leveling the scores by heat 13.

The penultimate heat caused controversy after James Pearson fell in the initial race, before Glasgow guest Jordan Jenkins was then excluded in the re-run, following a clash with Baek.  

The resulting 5-0 and a 5-1 heat advantage in the nominated heat 15 from Ben Barker and Dan Thompson sealed victory for the Gladiators.

Plymouth Gladiators = 49 (81)

1. Nico Covatti R/R

2. Alfie Bowtell - 1', 3, 3, 2, 0 = 9+1

3. Dan Thompson - 2, 2, 1, 3, 1, 2' = 11+1

4. Patrick Baek - 0, 1', 2', 2' = 5+3

5. Ben Barker - 2, 3, 1, 3, 2, 3 = 14

6. Joe Thompson - 3, 0, 2', 0, 0 = 5+1

7. Jacob Hook - 1, 1, 0, 3 = 5

Glasgow Tigers = 40 (98)

1. Chris Harris - 3, 3, 2, 3, 3, 1 = 15

2. Jack Smith - 0, X, R, 1' = 1+1

3. Jason Edwards (G) - 3, 2', 1, 2', 0 = 8+2

4. Jordan Jenkins (G) - 1, 3, 3, X = 7

5. Anders Rowe (G) - 2, 2, 1, 1 = 6

6. James Pearson - 2, 1, 0, FX = 3

7. Jody Scott (G) - 0, 0, 0 = 0

Heat Results

Heat 01: Harris, Barker, Bowtell, Smith. 3-3...51.49 NEW TRACK RECORD

Heat 02: J Thompson, Pearson, Hook, Scott. (4-2)...7-5...54.91

Heat 03: Edwards, D Thompson, Jenkins, Baek. (2-4)...9-9...54.24

Heat 04: Barker, Rowe, Hook, Scott. (4-2)...13-11...54.21

Heat 05 (Re-Run): Harris, D Thompson, Baek, Smith (Excluded). (3-3)...16-14...51.84

Heat 06: Bowtell, Rowe, D Thompson, Scott. (4-2)...20-16...53.67

Heat 07: Jenkins, Edwards, Barker, J Thompson. (1-5)...21-21...52.49

Heat 08: Bowtell, J Thompson, Pearson, Smith (Retired). (5-1)...26-22...53.93

Heat 09: D Thompson, Baek, Rowe, Pearson. (5-1)...31-23...53.41

Heat 10: Jenkins, Bowtell, Edwards, J Thompson. (2-4)...33-27...53.17

Heat 11: Barker, Harris, Smith, J Thompson. (3-3)...36-30...54.10

Heat 12: Harris, Edwards, D Thompson, Hook. (1-5)...37-35...54.00

Heat 13: Harris, Barker, Rowe, Bowtell. (2-4)...39-39...53.06

Heat 14 (Re-Run X2): Hook, Baek, Jenkins (Excluded), Pearson (Fell, Excluded). (5-0)...44-39...54.01

Heat 15: Barker, D Thompson, Harris, Edwards. (5-1)...49-40...53.81

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Dan Westlake

The Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators return to Cab Direct Championship action this evening when they take on The Glasgow Tigers at The Coliseum (tapes up 7pm) where victory would see the home team move off the bottom of the Championship table.

The Gladiators will use either a guest or rider replacement at No.1 for the injured Nico Covatti, whilst the Tigers, led by Chris Bomber Harris, bring in Jason Edwards and Jordan Jenkins to replace Leon Flint and Matic Ivacic who ride in the European Pairs qualifier at Stralsund. Anders Rowe and Jody Scott come in for the injured  Steve Worrall and Jason Garrad.

The Championship clash is followed by the 250cc round of the British Youth Championship, with Cooper Rushen, Seth Norman, Archie Rolph, Ollie Binns, Charlie Southwick competing alongside Devon based Jayden Bailey, who makes his 250cc competitive debut.

Teams:

Plymouth ProwPark Gladiators:

1. R/R or guest 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Dan Thompson 4. Patrick Baek 5. Ben Barker 6. Joe Thompson 7. Jacob Hook.

Glasgow Tigers

1. Chris Harris 2. Jack Smith 3. Jason Edwards 4. Jordan Jenkins 5. Anders Rowe6. James Pearson 7.  Jody Scott.

Meeting Info:

Gates Open: 5:45pm

Tapes Up: 7pm

Admission: (Cash only at the gate, no cards)

Adults Seating £20

Adults Standing £18

11-17 Years £11

Under 11 Free.

For those unable to attend, the meeting will be streamed on Gladiators Live. Click here for full information. Please note this is the only official stream, all other links are spam, please do not click them.

The Plymouth ProwPark delivered a spirited away performance in the Cab Direct Championship, eventually losing 39-51 against The Oxford Cheetahs.

Cheered on by the fantastic away support from a large number of Gladiators fans, the Gladiators again kept in touch throughout the meeting, and were only four points down after heat 12 following another 5-1 by the Thompson twins.

Despite a shared heat 14, the firepower of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls proved to be the downfall for The Gladiators however, with the Cheetah's top two delivering two 5-1 heat advantages in heats 13 and 15 to help the Cheetahs take victory on the night.

Dan Thompson again top scored for The Gladiators with a superb 15 points, backed by brother Joe (8+1) and Alfie Bowtell with 6.

Oxford Cheetahs = 51

1. Sam Masters - 3, 3, 2, 2', 3 = 13+1

2. Cameron Heeps - 1, 2', 3, 1' = 7+2 

3. Ashton Boughen - 1', 0, 0, 1 = 2+1

4. Jordan Jenkins - 2, 2, 2, 2 = 8

5. Scott Nicholls - 2', 3, 3, 3, 2' = 13+2

6. Luke Killeen - 2, 3, 1, 1, 1' = 8+1

7. Jody Scott - F, R, 0 = 0 

Plymouth Gladiators = 39

1. Jason Edwards (G) - 2, 1, 2, 1, 0 = 6

2. Alfie Bowtell - 0, 3, 2, 0 = 5 

3. Dan Thompson - 3, 2, 3, 3, 3, 1 = 15

4. Patrick Baek - 0, 1', 0 = 1+1 

5. Ben Barker - 0, 1, 1, 0 = 2 

6. Joe Thompson - 3, 0, 2', 3 = 8+1

7. Jacob Hook - 1, 1, 0, 0 = 2

Heat Results

Heat 01: Masters, Edwards, Heeps, Bowtell 4-2 59.00

Heat 02: J. Thompson, Killeen, Hook, Scott (F) 2-4 (6-6) 60.56

Heat 03: D. Thompson, Jenkins, Boughen, Baek 3-3 (9-9) 59.39

Heat 04: Killeen, Nicholls, Hook, Barker 5-1 (14-10) 60.39

Heat 05: Bowtell, Jenkins, Edwards, Boughen 2-4 (16-14) 61.22

Heat 06: Masters, Heeps, Barker, J. Thompson 5-1 (21-15) 60.39

Heat 07: Nicholls, D. Thompson, Baek, Scott (R) 3-3 (24-18) 59.83

Heat 08: Heeps, Bowtell, Killeen, Hook 4-2 (28-20) 61.23

Heat 09: D. Thompson, Jenkins, Barker, Boughen 2-4 (30-24) 60.49

Heat 10: D. Thompson, Masters, Heeps, Baek 3-3 (33-27) 60.60

Heat 11: Nicholls, Edwards, Killeen, Bowtell 4-2 (37-29) 60.67

Heat 12: D. Thompson, J. Thompson, Boughen, Scott 1-5 (38-34) 61.71

Heat 13: Nicholls, Masters, Edwards, Barker 5-1 (43-35) 60.96

Heat 14: J. Thompson, Jenkins, Killeen, Hook 3-3 (46-38) 61.93

Heat 15: Masters, Nicholls, D. Thompson, Edwards 5-1 (51-39) 60.52

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Les Aubrey