CLOSE CALL FOR GLADIATORS

PLYMOUTH held on for a 46-44 win over Poole in the BSN Series despite a dramatic late comeback by the visitors.

The Pirates were already confirmed as group winners and trailed by 16-points after Heat 10, before reeling off three 5-1s and a 4-2 to slash the gap to two.

However, Poole skipper Steve Worrall was disqualified from Heat 15 after a clash with Ben Barker, with the 3-3 outcome confirming a narrow Gladiators victory.

Home skipper Kyle Howarth (13+1) and Paul Starke (12+2) led the way, whilst Richard Lawson racked up 15 points from six rides for the Pirates.

Starke said: “It was close and we nearly threw it away, but we had enough of a cushion that we could allow that to happen, and we got there in the end.

“We did the business tonight and Poole have got their unbeaten record broken now, and we’re happy that we’ve done it.”

Poole promoter Dan Ford said: “The boys dug deep and took us into Heat 15 with a chance still of winning the meeting. But then obviously we had that incident with Stevie who was adjudged to be at fault. We felt that was somewhat harsh, but I guess I can see it from both points of view.

“However, it sealed the result and so fair play to Plymouth, they had a really strong meeting, but I can leave here fairly confident about our chances when we take them on in the KO Cup and the league.”

Post Match Interview with Paul Starke

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Photo credit: DAN WESTLAKE