Gladiators just miss out

PLYMOUTH ATKINS FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GLADIATORS 44

GLASGOW TIGERS 46

On a baking hot summer’s evening, the Gladiators again came close to getting some reward for an excellent night’s racing at the Coliseum.

The home side were on the back foot from Heat One when a first bend incident saw both teams’ number one’s, Jason Crump and Craig Cook hit the deck. Cook was immediately on his feet, but Crump received some medical attention on the track and then in the pits, after which he was forced to withdraw from the meeting, meaning Plymouth utilising the injured rider replacement facility.

The high-flying Tigers quickly established an eight-point lead after just three races, an advantage they still held by the end of race nine. But the Gladiators again showed their never-say-die spirit by gradually hauling themselves back into the match and for the second week running, went into the final race needing a 5-1 to snatch a draw.

That seemed unlikely with the previously unbeaten Plymouth track record holder, Cook in the line-up but when Bjarne Pedersen and Zane Keleher shot from the gate, the unlikely suddenly looked possible until Cook managed to overhaul the impressive Keleher to ensure a Tigers win which took them back to the top of the Championship.

Gladiators’ skipper Pedersen led by example with a superb 19-point haul, Keleher was again on the pace all evening, Alfie Bowtell again chipped in with useful points at reserve and Dillon Ruml continued his improved form by notching his highest score of the season so far.

Crump admitted afterwards that he aggravated his recent rib injury. ‘I’m feeling a bit tender but not as bad as when I first had the injury so hopefully it’s not too bad’ he said before confirming that he would not be fit for Plymouth’s trip to Poole this evening (July 21^st).

Cook was pleased to get the win but played down his own performance. ‘It was a great meeting for the fans, and we are delighted to come away with the points. My bikes aren’t performing quite as I want them yet, so I still have some work to do there’ he said post-match.

Next up at the Coliseum are the Leicester Lions on Tuesday 27^th July (7pm). On-line tickets can be booked via the online ticket store here.

Plymouth:

Jason Crump                    Withdrawn

Dillon Ruml                      5 + 1 (4 rides)

Zach Cook                        3 (4)

Zane Keleher                   9 + 1 (6)

Bjarne Pedersen              19 (7)

Alfie Bowtell                    8 + 3 (6)

Jack Smith                        0 (3)

Glasgow:

Craig Cook                        14 (5)

Sam Jensen                      6 (4)

Ricky Wells                       4 + 1 (4)

Broc Nicol                         8 (5)

Ulrich Ostergaard           5 (4)

Connor Bailey                  5 + 2 (4)

Justin Sedgemen             4 (4)