Plymouth Gladiators v Poole Pirates

Report

POOLE will go for a double on Wednesday after winning a thriller at Plymouth 46-44 on Tuesday.

Former Gladiators rider Zach Cook was the Pirates’ hero at the Coliseum as he won Heat 15 for the shared race the reigning Cab Direct Championship holders needed to secure an away victory in their first league match on the road.

Cook scored 11+2 from five rides with reserve Kyle Newman contributing a vital 8+3, whilst Richie Worrall (11+3) and Kyle Howarth (11) led the way for the home side and there was also a race win for youngster Ben Trigger.

Poole boss Neil Middleditch said: “We just needed to get a heat share in the last one and I felt that if we could get out the gate quick then we were in with a great shout of holding on for the win.

“Zach was sharp in Heat 14 so I asked him if he was up for doing it again, and the lad was just superb. I am really pleased for him. It was a big ask but he proved he was good enough.

“I admit I am a relieved man tonight. At one stage it looked as if we might get the win in the bag a little earlier, but credit to Plymouth they fought back well.”

Worrall said: “When we have that moment when we all gel I think we’ll be a very strong team, but at the minute we’re not all working on the same page.

“We’ve been to Poole a couple of times now so there are no excuses on that side of things, so let’s go and enjoy it.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
PLYMOUTH 44: Richie Worrall 11+3, Kyle Howarth 11, Ben Barker 9+1, Dan Gilkes 4, Ben Trigger 4, Jake Turner 3, Ben Morley 2
POOLE 46: Zach Cook 11+2, Kyle Newman 8+3, Steve Worrall 7, Ben Cook 6+1, Richard Lawson 6, Anders Rowe 5+2, Adam Roynon 3

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: DAN WESTLAKE