The Royals take the points

The first National Development League meeting of the season did not go as planned for the newly formed SWTR Centurions as a succession of crashes and engine failures saw them slump to a home defeat by the Kent Royals.

The visitors, led by Plymouth Gladiators favourite, Alfie Bowtell, opened up an eight point lead by Heat 5 aided by crashes for Henry Atkins and Ben Trigger, when both in points scoring positions.

For Atkins, it was the start of ‘one of those nights’ as, in his following ride, when leading, his race jacket dislodged his engine cut out cord, causing him to retire.

Debutant Dan Gilkes rode superbly for Plymouth and had some superb tussles with Bowtell but lacked the solid support that was needed, unlike Kent, who’s whole team provided consistent points scoring finishes throughout.

Adam Extance, on his return to the sport, was a steady performer for Plymouth, as was another debutant, Connor King, until a crash in Heat 10 saw him walk away but withdraw from the meeting.

Local lad, Ben Trigger, did not get the points his efforts deserved, and he was also the victim of a nasty looking crash in Heat 8, but after some on-track treatment and a quick check-up in the medical room, saw him return to action.

All eyes now turn to next week’s opener for the Gladiators against local rivals, Poole Pirates. A large crowd is expected, and fans are advised to pre-book tickets for this meeting.

Scores & heat Results

Plymouth Centurions = 38

1. Dan Gilkes – 2, 3, 3 , 0, 3 = 11

2. Connor King – 1′, 1, 2, X = 4+1

3. Richard Andrews – 3, 0, 0, 3 = 6

4. Adam Extance – 1, 2, 2, 2 = 7

5. Henry Atkins – FX, 0, 3, 2, 1 = 6

6. Ben Trigger – 0, 1, 1′ = 2+1

7. Eli Meadows – 1, 1, 0, 0, 0 = 2

Kent Royals = 52

1. Alfie Bowtell – 3, 3, 2, 3, X = 11

2. Jamie Halder – 0, 1, 3, 1′ = 5+1

3. Danno Verge – 0, 2′, 1′, 2 = 5+2

4. Joe Alcock – 2, 3, 2, 3 = 10

5. Ben Morley – 3, 2, 3, 1, 2 = 11

6. Chris Watts – 2′, R, 1, 1′ = 4+2

7. Sam Woolley – 3, 2′, X, 1 = 6+1

Plymouth win the toss and take gates 1&3

Heat Results

Heat 01: Bowtell, Gilkes, King, Halder. 3-3 (3-3) 52.3

Heat 02: Woolley, Watts, Meadows. 1-5 (4-8) no time

Heat 03: Andews, Alcock, Extance. 4-2 (8-10) no time

Heat 04: Morley, Woolley, Meadows. 1-5 (9-15) no time

Heat 05: Bowtell, Extance, Halder, Andrews. 2-4 (11-19) 54.4

Heat 06: Gilkes, Morley, King. 4-2 (15-21) 53.5

Heat 07: Alcock, Verge, Trigger. 1-5 (16-26) 54.8

Heat 08: Halder, King, Trigger. 3-3 (19-29) 54.0

Heat 09: Morley, Extance, Watts. 2-4 (21-33) 54.7

Heat 10: Gilkes, Alcock, Verge. 3-3 (24-36) 52.6

Heat 11: Atkins, Bowtell, Halder, Meadows. 3-3 (27-39) 54.5

Heat 12: Andrews, Verge, Watts, Meadows. 3-3 (30-42) 55.8

Heat 13: Bowtell, Atkins, Morley, Gilkes. 2-4 (32-46) 52.8

Heat 14: Alcock, Extance, Woolley, Meadows. 2-4 (34-50) 53.9

Heat 15: Gilkes, Morley, Atkins. 4-2 (38-52) 52.7

Credit: Speedway Updates

Image Credit: Peter Gilkes