Plymouth Gladiators v Oxford Cheetahs

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.”

PLYMOUTH 50: Scott Nicholls 17, Danny King 12+4, Joe Thompson 10+2, Daniel Klima 6, Anze Grmek 5+1, Ben Whalley 0, Ben Barker r/r.
OXFORD 39: Sam Masters 11+1, Luke Killeen 8+2, Dayle Wood 7+3, Anders Rowe 6+1, Mitch McDiarmid 4, Darryl Ritchings 3, Edward Kennett r/r.

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Photo credit: EBONY MARCH

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