Centurions v The Royals
Plymouth Speedway commence what promises to be an action packed 2022 season with the launch of their second string Plymouth SWTR Centurions Team in an NDL (National Development League) clash at v The Kent Royals at The Coliseum on Tuesday 29th March.
Following a successful step up to the second tier Championship in 2021, the Plymouth Westcolour Gladiators will again be looking to consolidate the relentless progress that the Club has made under the vision and hard work of Director / Promoter Mark Phillips in the past few years. Phillips explained the strategy for the Club in 2022.
“We have assembled what looks like a stronger all round Championship level Club with the Gladiators in 2022 and very much hope to be challenging for honours in the League which will involve qualifying for the top 6 play off, the Knockout Cup and the new Summer League Event. The Gladiators commence their season at Home a week on Tuesday on April 5th when we face the Cup Holders the Poole Pirates in what will be a mouth-watering opening to our Championship season when we hope to have a near sell out Crowd.
We want to try to have more continuity this season so that for everyone in Plymouth and the wider South West “Tuesday night is SPEEDWAY night” and with some excellent young talent coming through locally and nationally, we have also decided to run what is effectively (for those who follow other Sports but who aren’t yet fully acquainted with Speedway) our Reserve Team the Plymouth SWTR Centurions in the NDL, the 3rd Tier of the Sport where we participated prior to the 2021 season.
We can’t wait to get started on Tuesday night and with some perfect weather recently we look forward to a good Crowd to set us up for the fantastic KOC opener v Poole Pirates the following week”.
The SWTR Centurions have assembled a strong looking team with their Championship League reserves and leading British Under 21 prospects Henry Atkins and Dan Gilkes leading the way.
Locally born Atkins is looking to make up for lost time following a 2021 seriously disrupted by a shoulder injury and subsequent operation. Atkins remains one of the leading prospects of his generation and will be ably supported by Dan Gilkes, the leading rider in the NDL in 2021 and another outstanding prospect who has enjoyed Podium success at individual British Under 19 and 21 level.
The Centurions are also boosted by the return of the ever popular local rider Richard Andrews who was very much “Mr Plymouth Speedway” in the previous NDL campaigns and the multi-talented Adam Extance. The side also includes Connor King, a fast improving young rider and at reserve local prospect Ben Trigger, the current British 500cc Youth Champion and another hot prospect in Eli Meadows.
The Kent Royals will provide stiff opposition featuring former NDL Riders Champion Ben Morley and runner up Alfie Bowtell as their spearhead.
Match Tickets are on sale NOW for the opening NDL Fixture on Tuesday 29th March at 7.00 via the Club Website here and Social Media.
An IMPORTANT reminder that following the easing of all COVID 19 Restrictions that Entrance via CASH TURNSTILES has now returned for ALL 2022 Matches allowing you to Pay on Entry on the day of the meeting.
For fans unable to attend, Live streaming of the meeting can be found here:
TICKETS for the eagerly awaited KOC Match on Tuesday 5th April v POOLE PIRATES will go on sale on WEDNESDAY 30th March and with a possible sell out crowd expected, Club Officials strongly suggest that you book ONLINE for this Fixture to avoid possible disappointment.
Image: Jon Spoard