GLADIATORS FINISH WITH FLOURISH

PLYMOUTH fought back from a six-point deficit to overcome Oxford 50-39 in an eventful Cab Direct Championship clash at the Coliseum.

Scott Nicholls was again in vintage form with 17 points from six rides, and major scoring was added by Danny King with 12+4 and Joe Thompson with 10+2 as the Gladiators recovered spectacularly from being 27-21 down after eight races.

 A 5-0 and a 5-1 in the next two heats transformed the meeting, and the home side completed the contest with two more 5-1s in the last two races to seal an 11-point victory.

Sam Masters top-scored for the Cheetahs with 11+1 as they completed a long weekend on the road with nothing to show for it in terms of their league points total.

Oxford racer Luke Killeen (8+2) said: “We put in plenty of effort tonight. But Mitch (McDiarmid) picked up a couple of exclusions – and some would say one of those was controversial – but it’s all part of the sport. Speedway can be a game of luck.

“It’s tough for us at the moment, but the team spirit is still running high and we’re communicating well. There are positive signs and we want to turn it around.”

Watch Heat 14 (Brought to you by GLADIATORS TV | https://www.gladiatorslive.com)

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: EBONY MARCH