Gladiators take the win, as Scorpions claim point

The Plymouth Westcolour Gladiators continued their winning ways with a 48-42 over the Scunthorpe Scorpions last night to further emphasise their Play Off credentials.

It is perhaps an indication of the genuine progress that the Club are making in their second season in the Championship that the final scoreline was a little disappointing despite gaining all 3 Home win points on offer. A late rally from Scunthorpe in the final two Heats, when the match was already effectively in the bag, that earned the visitors a losing Bonus Point (which is available for Away Teams if losing by 6 points or less) was not indicative of the mid match dominance that the home side enjoyed.

The Westcolour Gladiators scoring was led again by Danish Star Hans Andersen who delivered 2 fine wins and an excellent 5-1, team riding into second place with reserve Dan Gilkes in Heat 4 , from his 5 rides. Richard Lawson , who again guested for injured No 1 Edward Kennett who is awaiting surgery on his badly damaged arm and nerve and tendon injuries, was again consistent with a race win in his 11 point return from 5 rides and once again perhaps the standout performance was from the rapidly improving Alfie Bowtell who delivered 2 wins from 4 rides in the difficult No 2 position for an excellent 9 point return from 4 rides.

Ben Barker who had scored a superlative 18 point 6 ride maximum in the 60-30 drubbing of the Leicester Lions last week; had a frustrating evening despite his usual 100% effort, with an exclusion for crossing the white inner line whilst passing in his first race before delivering a win amongst an 8 point return from 5 rides. With reserve Dan Gilkes again producing a solid display with 8 points from 7 rides and Henry Atkins 2 points from his 3 rides. 

It was again a good all round team display; with the fact that the League points were secured despite some niggling falls and exclusions; and without their injured No 1 Kennett and their absent no 3 Michael Palm-Toft (due to concussion protocols) highlighting the all round strength and teamspirit of the Westcolour Gladiators.

The Scorpions were indebted to a fine return from their Australian star Ryan Douglas with 14 points from 6 rides and he was well supported by the veteran Finn Tero Aarnio with an excellent 11 points from 5 rides, including an exciting win in heat 15, and another excellent return from young Australian prospect Zaine Kenedy from the reserve berth with 8 points from 6 rides.  

The sides will meet again on Friday at the Eddie Wright Raceway Scunthorpe, a track that is very much a home stronghold for the Scorpions. The Westcolour Gladiators hope to be strengthened by the return of Michael Palm-Toft following a 9 day concussion protocol absence and once again have booked Richard Lawson as Guest for the injured Kennett.

All eyes in the domestic Speedway world are sure to be focused on The Coliseum though next Tuesday, the 3rd May when the Westcolour Gladiators seek an early revenge for their KOCup defeat versus the early Championship favourites the Poole Pirates. 

Many neutral observers felt the Westcolour Gladiators were a little unlucky not to win the Home Leg on the KOC earlier in the season, but with the Gladiators now fully dialled in to their home track, they will fancy their chances of delivering a real David and Goliath performance against the power-packed visitors.

It’s definitely one NOT TO BE MISSED and Online Tickets are already available at the Club website here

A reminder that CASH and CARD sales are available ON THE NIGHT as usual; but with a massive Match in prospect the only way to guarantee reservation of a Seat in the 400 seater Home Stand is to book early ONLINE as the Fixture is eagerly anticipated and the Crowd is sure to be one of the biggest at the Stadium this season. 

Scores & heat results:

Plymouth Gladiators = 48

1. Richard Lawson (Guest) – 1’, 2, 2’, 3, 2 = 10+1

2. Alfie Bowtell – 2, 1’, 3, 3 = 9+1

3. Ben Barker – X, 3, 2, 2, 1 = 8

4. R/R for Michael Palm Toft (Hans – 3, DG – 1, DG – 1’, BB – 1) = 6+1

5. Hans Andersen – 3, 2’, 3, 2, 1, 0 = 11+1

6. Henry Atkins – 1’, 1, 0 = 2+1

7. Dan Gilkes – 2, 3, 1, 1, 1’, 0, F/X = 8+1

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 42

1. Ryan Douglas – 3, 2, 3, 3, 2, 1 = 14

2. Simon Lambert – 0, 0, 0 = 0

3. Jordan Palin – 1’, 0, F/X = 1+1

4. Tero Aarnio – 2, 2, 1, 3, 3 = 11

5. Jake Allen – 1, 3, 3, 0 = 7

6. Ryan Kinsley – 0, 0, 1 = 1

7. Zaine Kennedy – 3, 0, 2, 0, 1, 2’ = 8+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Douglas, Bowtell, Lawson, Lambert 3-3, 3-3, 51.00

Heat 02: Kennedy, Gilkes, Atkins, Kinsley 3-3, 6-6, 52.00

Heat 03: Andersen, Aarnio, Palin 3-3, 9-9, 51.31

Heat 04: Gilkes, Andersen, Allen, Kennedy 5-1, 14-10, 52.19

Heat 05 Re-Run: Barker, Douglas, Gilkes, Lambert 4-2, 18-12, 51.06

Heat 06: Allen, Lawson, Bowtell, Kinsley 3-3, 21-15, 51.88

Heat 07: Andersen, Aarnio, Atkins, Palin 4-2, 25-17, 51.47

Heat 08: Bowtell, Kennedy, Gilkes, Lambert 4-2, 29-19, 51.62

Heat 09: Allen, Barker, Gilkes, Kennedy 3-3, 32-22, 53.16

Heat 10 Re-Run: Bowtell, Lawson, Aarnio 5-1, 37-23, 52.31

Heat 11: Douglas, Andersen, Kinsley, Atkins 2-4, 39-27, 51.37

Heat 12: Douglas, Barker, Kennedy, Gilkes 2-4, 41-31, 51.50

Heat 13: Lawson, Douglas, Andersen, Allen 4-2, 45-33, 52.19

Heat 14 Re-Run: Aarnio, Kennedy, Barker 1-5, 46-38, 52.87

Heat 15: Aarnio, Lawson, Douglas, Andersen 2-4, 48-42, 52.06

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Jon Sproad