Plymouth Gladiators v Oxford Cheetahs

Report

PLYMOUTH skipper Ben Barker returned to top form to lead his side to a 52-37 win over Oxford in the Cab Direct Championship.

Barker, who has had time out after appendix surgery, scored 12+1 from five rides for the Gladiators who took the win despite being without Nicolai Klindt and with the home debut of Scott Nicholls thwarted by mechanical issues as he scored three.

Reserve Alfie Bowtell (11+1), Joe Thompson (10+1) and guest Tobias Thomsen (9+1) all contributed strongly for the home side as they reeled in an early deficit to record a comfortable win.

Oxford had gone six points up in the first two races, but a much-changed side was unable to hold on. Sam Masters scored 14+1 from six rides and they remain fourth in the table, but they are under increasing threat from Redcar.

PLYMOUTH 52: Ben Barker 12+1, Alfie Bowtell 11+1, Joe Thompson 10+1, Tobias Thomsen 9+1, Lasse Fredriksen 5+1, Scott Nicholls 3, Tom Spencer 2+1.
OXFORD 37: Sam Masters 14+1, Zaine Kennedy 7, Cameron Heeps 4+2, Francis Gusts 4+1, Luke Killeen 4, Paul Starke 3, Darryl Ritchings (no.8) 1+1, Jordan Jenkins r/r.
Plymouth win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: CHANNIA FARR