Gladiators take KO Cup first leg

The Plymouth Gladiators delivered a 49-41 victory over The Poole Pirates in the 1st leg of the MAXiCab KO Cup Quarter-Final, with a solid team performance at The Coliseum.

With the initial guest booking Zaine Kennedy ruled out following a crash yesterday, the Gladiators ran rider replacement for Joe Thompson.

In another close meeting, the scores were level after heat 10, before the Gladiators took control with heat advantages in the following four races, to lead by 10 after heat 14. 

A 2-4 to The Pirates in the nominated heat 15 gives the Gladiators an 8 point lead going into the return leg at Wimborne Road next Wednesday (28th May)

Skipper Ben Barker top scored with 13, backed by Lasse Fredriksen (9+1), Alfie Bowtell (8+3) and guest Chris Harris (8+2) whilst reserve Mitchell Cluff delivered his best return as a Gladiator with 8.

Scores and heat results.

Plymouth Gladiators = 49

1. Chris Harris (G) – 1′, 2′, 2, 3, 0 = 8+2

2. Alfie Bowtell – 2, 1′, 3, 1′, 1′ = 8+3

3. Joe Thompson R/R

4. Lasse Fredriksen – 2, 0, 2, 2′, 3 = 9+1

5. Ben Barker – 3, 2, 2, 3, 1, 2 = 13

6. Mitchell Cluff – 3, 0, 0, 1, 3, 1 = 8

7. Ben Trigger – 1, 2, 0 = 3

Poole Pirates = 41

1. Richard Lawson – 0, 3, 2, 2, 3 = 10

2. Tobias Thomsen – 3, 1, 3, 0 = 7

3. Anders Rowe – 3, 1, 3, 0, 1 = 8

4. Zach Cook – 0, 3, 0, 2 = 5

5. Lewis Kerr – 2, R, 3, 0 = 5

6. Paul Starke – 2, 1, 1, 1 = 5

7. Darryl Ritchings – 0, 1′, 0, 0 = 1+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Thomsen, Bowtell, Harris, Lawson. 3-3…51.50

Heat 02: Cluff, Starke, Trigger, Ritchings. (4-2)…7-5…54.67

Heat 03: Rowe, Fredriksen, Bowtell, Cook. (3-3)…10-8…53.7

Heat 04: Barker, Kerr, Ritchings, Cluff. (3-3)…13-11…53.24

Heat 05: Lawson, Barker, Thomsen, Fredriksen. (2-4)…15-15…52.65

Heat 06: Bowtell, Harris, Starke, Kerr (Retired). (5-1)…20-16…52.84

Heat 07: Cook, Barker, Rowe, Cluff. (2-4)…22-20…

Heat 08: Thomsen, Trigger, Bowtell, Ritchings. (3-3)…25-23…52.73

Heat 09: Kerr, Fredriksen, Starke, Trigger. (2-4)…27-27…53.40

Heat 10: Rowe, Harris, Bowtell, Cook. (3-3)…30-30…2.69

Heat 11: Barker, Lawson, Cluff, Thomsen. (4-2)…34-32…52.70

Heat 12: Cluff, Fredriksen, Starke, Rowe. (5-1)…39-33…54.35

Heat 13 (Re-Run): Harris, Lawson, Barker, Kerr. (4-2)…43-35…52.78

Heat 14: Fredriksen, Cook, Cluff, Ritchings. (4-2)…47-37…53.94

Heat 15: Lawson, Barker, Rowe, Harris. (2-4)…49-41…53.59

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image credit: UK Weather Chase.