Gladiators v Bandits – Preview

The in-form Westcolour Gladiators will be looking to cement their current 4th place in The Championship Table at home tomorrow night against the currently 5th placed Berwick Bandits.

A Home win would take the Westcolour Gladiators in to the second spot in the Table with only the Leicester Lions above them, although Leicester have currently ridden 3 matches more than the Gladiators and were sent packing with their pride severely dented a few weeks ago when the Westcolour Gladiators roared to a 60-30 victory.

The Westcolour Gladiators welcome new signings Ben Morley and Harry McGurk to their declared starting septet for their full Home League debuts and with Edward Kennett due to see a Specialist on Tuesday, bring in the exciting and experienced former Championship League Individual Riders Champion, Erik Riss, from the Redcar Bears as a Guest replacement. Riss, a former twice World Long Track Champion in 2014 and 2016, following in the footsteps of his legendary father Gerd Riss, is sure to ensure a thrilling spectacle on the tight 200 metre Coliseum Track.

The Berwick Bandits are one of the most forward thinking Promotions in British Speedway and Jamie Courtney and the Courtney family are to be congratulated for ensuring that Speedway is not only surviving but positively thriving in the Borders town. They are led by none other than British Speedway legend Chris “Bomber” Harris, who is sure to bring a large number of his adoring South West based fans to see him once again at The Coliseum.

The Bandits have been troubled by their own injury problems and the unfortunate Jye Etheridge hed to pull out of their Meeting on Saturday against Redcar on a return for injury, the Bandits have booked one of the most improved riders so far this season, the Edinburgh Monarchs star Kye Thomson in to their side and the young Australian is certainly a hot prospect for the future and going very well for his parent Club so far in 2022.

New Zealand born American citizen Ricky Wells forms a powerful spearhead with Bomber Harris and the fast starting experienced rider has enjoyed some success at Plymouth in the past and he is joined by another Guest Rider in Dan Thompson from Leicester who replaces the injured Ty Proctor. 

They will be hoping that fast rising British youngster, and a regular visitor to Plymouth in his NDL days will score plenty of points. The Bandits are also missing Leon Flint, who is still not fully recovered from a recent shoulder injury that he suffered whilst celebrating a 5-1 with the vastly experienced Theo Pijper, the Dutch veteran speedster (Pijper) having returned to Team Speedway in addition to overseeing the development of his young sons who are making quite an impression on the Youth Speedway scene and in the case of his son Ace, producing a stunning debut season in the NDL.

The Bandits will operate Rider Replacement for Flint , and with Kye Thomson in for the injured Etheridge, and Dan Thompson replacing Proctor, their septet is completed by Cumbrian born Kyle Bickley, who has plenty of Coliseum experience from his NDL days and who is capable of giving the Westcolour Gladiators own reserves plenty to think about. 

The Bandits will pose a real danger to the in-form Westcolour Gladiators and look sure to be formidable opponents despite their big banked fast Home Circuit being around twice the size of The Coliseum. Shielfield Park is one of the most exciting venues in British Speedway and a visit is highly recommended.

With the buzz and anticipation growing by the week following the Clubs excellent start to the season another healthy Crowd is anticipated and you can guarantee a Seat and easy access by purchasing Tickets ONLINE prior to the Event from the Clubs ONLINE Ticket Portal here

A reminder that you can pay on the night by CASH + CARD at all Speedway Fixtures at Plymouth in 2022.

A POLITE REQUEST has been made by The Club Management and Turnstile / Entry Staff. It would be appreciated if you could please have EXACT CHANGE for Admission and Programme available if at all possible to avoid delays, especially at peak time between 6.15 and 7.00pm. It would also be very much appreciated, that if you are Entering by Car with multiple occupants, if one person in the vehicle; could collect the Money for Admission and any Programmes and the Car Park Fee to hand over to Gate Staff, as to process one overall transfer of Money will be a lot speedier than 2,3,4 or even 5 separate transactions. Your cooperation in this matter to help speed access for all and to avoid queues and to improve the Customer experience for all. THANK YOU

As always you can be the vital 8th man and the lads would very much welcome your vociferous and enthusiastic support once again, so please bring along a friend and help us to show everyone what a wonderful night of entertainment we get every Tuesday at 7 pm at The Coliseum.

Gates Open 5.30pm

Pre-Match Rider Parade 6.50pm

Tapes Up 7.00pm

There are numerous Food and Drink (Alcoholic and Non Alcoholic) outlets around the Stadium serving locally produced products.

Numerous Toilets / Disabled Toilets and Washing Facilities 

Our new for 2022 Track Shop is doing a roaring trade with NEW lines every week and well worth a visit.

Car Parking onsite £2.00

36 page Colour Programme £3.00

The widely acclaimed GLADIATORS TV will be running for this Fixture for those who cannot make the Match and details can’ be found here  https://www.gladiatorslive.com/

Image Credit: Jon Sproad