Gladiators v Scorpions – Meeting Preview

The Plymouth Westcolour Gladiators return to action at The Coliseum on Tuesday night (Tapes Up 7.00pm) with a Championship League Fixture against the Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Following the stunning 60-30 victory last week over one of the Title favourites the Leicester Lions; the Westcolour Gladiators have named an unchanged Team despite being in the midst of an injury crisis with two key Members of their Team still absent.

No 1 Edward Kennett is still awaiting treatment on his major arm injuries caused by damage to an existing metal plate in his arm following a crash at The Coliseum on the 5th of April which required paramedic intervention; due to the fall causing the added problem of very painful new tendon and nerve damage affecting his hand and shoulder.  His fellow Heat Leader Michael Palm-Toft is also still recovering from a serious concussion suffered at Peterborough on Easter Monday whilst riding for his Premiership Club for which he has to serve a mandatory 9 day concussion protocol before he can be further assessed.

The Westcolour Gladiators will again call in Richard Lawson as a Guest Rider for Kennett and operate the Rider Replacement facility for Palm-Toft which allows their other heat Leader Hans Anderson to take one of Palm-Tofts rides, with the other 3 shared amongst the other Team members with lower Match Averages than Palm-Toft.

The Westcolour Gladiators will line up-

Richard Lawson (Guest)

Alfie Bowtell 

Ben Barker

R/R (for Michael Palm-Toft)

Hans Andersen

Henry Atkins

Dan Gilkes

The Scorpions will provide strong opposition and a stern challenge as the Westcolour Gladiators begin a series of Tuesday night Home Fixtures looking to accumulate points to end the season in the top 6 to guarantee a Play Off place at the end of the season. 

Leading the Scorpions are the experienced  Australian duo Ryan Douglas and Jake Allen; a powerful spearhead ;as good as any in The Championship on their day. Backing up that strong pair are one of the fastest developing young British Rising Stars in Jordan Palin; and one of the most popular overseas riders in the Flying Finn. Tero Aarnio. Jordan is still only 18 years of age but was a Premiership League winning Member of the Peterborough Panthers Team in 2021 and at both Championship level with Scunthorpe and Premier League level with Peterborough delivered a hugely impressive set of scores in 2021; whilst Tero has just celebrated his 38th birthday, a regular in British Speedway for 15 seasons shows no signs of slowing down, and remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting riders to watch in the Championship. 

The Scorpions septet is completed by Simon Lambert;  Australian Zaine Kennedy who has already racked up some double figure scores and is showing the sort of steady improvement that matches that of his compatriots Jake Allen and Ryan Douglas in their formative seasons in the UK and young Ryan Kinsley who has appeared at the Coliseum several times during a gradually progressive NDL career and who certainly deserves his chance at Championship level.

There are Tickets available for ALL areas ONLINE via the Clubs Online booking system; and with another big crowd expected; you are advised to purchase seats in the NHS Stand in advance as they are proving very popular and may sell out early at some Fixtures  Online Tickets are available via the Clubs online Ticketing Portal here.

There will be CASH SALES as usual on the night at the Turnstiles for ALL Areas; and you can also purchase E-Tickets using any Debit or Credit Card on arrival at the Stadium; or prior to the Meeting using the ONLINE Ticketing link on any Android device or your home Computer.

The Clubs hugely popular and highly praised GLADIATORS TV Streaming service will again be covering the match for those around the globe who cannot attend in person and further details and purchase can be made here.

A reminder too that there are Food and Drink (Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic) outlets in all Areas of the Stadium, Full Toilet and Disabled Toilet and washing facilities and dogs (provided they are kept on a lead at all times) are most welcome.

Onsite Car Parking costs £2 and a 36 page full colour Programme costs £3.00

Gates Open – 5.30pm

Pre-Meeting Parade – 6.50pm

Tapes Up – 7.00pm

We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday night, there is a real buzz around the City with Argyle doing so well and Plymouth Westcolour Gladiators are keen to ensure that the City and the whole of the South West play their part all summer in maintaining the buzz and excitement so feel free to bring a friend and introduce them to our wonderful, safe and family friendly, adrenaline filled Sport.

Come along for more Speedway heaven this Tuesday at 7pm.

Image Credit: Jon Sproad