The Plymouth Gladiators suffered a big home defeat

The Plymouth Gladiators suffered a big home defeat last Friday night (2nd August) when they lined up against the top of the league Leicester Lion Cubs.

The meeting started off on a high with Ben Wilson and Adam Extance securing 5-1 in heat one but after that the Gladiators failed to find a consistency throughout the meeting. Leicester appeared to be too strong for the Gladiators with Plymouth track record holder Ellis Perks racing in a league of his own.

Team Manager Mattie Bates said “Leicester deserved the win. They were by far the better team on the night and full credit to them. I always think of myself as an optimist but I’m also a realist and Friday nights display from the team I really can’t see us hitting the play offs.

Everyone’s, bar a few riders, heads went down early on and they never came back up. If we are to hit a play off position they are going to have to show a lot more heart and fight than they did on Friday night”.

A disappointed Bates truly believed that, after the Gladiators unstoppable performance at the Silver Ski Fours home leg, it would be a massive turning point for the Devon club.

Bates added “I can appreciate the track last night was slicker than it was compared to the previous week but it was the same for every rider on the night and the boys have been riding long enough to know how to adjust and set their bikes up to work on a slicker track. I’m just disappointed for them and the supporters if I’m honest”.

The Gladiators next meeting is at Kent on Monday August 5th in the final leg of the Silver Ski Fours which the Gladiators currently have a 7 point lead over the Isle of Wight, and a 17 point lead over Kent.

Plymouth Gladiators 38: Ben Wilson 13, Adam Extance 8+2, Nathan Stoneman 7, David Wallinger 5, Richard Andrews 2+1, Jamie Bursill 2, Adam Sheppard 2.

Leicester Lion Cubs 52: Ellis Perks 12+1, Luke Harris 10+2, Danyon Hume 11, Ryan Terry Daley 10, Dan Thompson 7+2, Ryan McDonald 2.