Plymouth Gladiators v Edinburgh Monarchs

Report

EDINBURGH took a huge step towards the Cab Direct Championship play-offs with a dramatic 46-44 win at Plymouth.

The Monarchs are now firm favourites to take sixth place after a remarkable comeback which saw them take two 5-1s in the last two heats at the Coliseum.

Skipper Josh Pickering (10) and guest Erik Riss (12+1) were the heroes for the Gladiators in the deciding race as they got the better of home duo Kyle Howarth (13+1) and Richie Worrall (12+1) to secure the Armadale club’s third away win of the season. Paco Castagna and Bastian Borke had set things up with maximum points in Heat 14.

Stand-in team manager Gordon Campbell said: “It is a tight race for the play-offs with Plymouth being a rival for the final spot, so we were fully determined to get a result tonight.

“This showed with every member of the team having a moment to be proud of in the match and chipping in with vital points at vital moments. Special thank you to Erik Riss who was a terrific guest at No.1.

“We must bounce forward from this great result and with the backing of our wonderful supporters we can finish the home season strongly and clinch that play-off spot.”

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
PLYMOUTH 44: Kyle Howarth 13+1, Richie Worrall 12+1, James Pearson 10+3, Kyle Newman 7, Ben Trigger 2+1, Max Perry 0, Ben Barker r/r
EDINBURGH 46: Erik Riss 12+1, Josh Pickering 10, Paco Castagna 9, Kye Thomson 6+3, Max Clegg 4, Bastian Borke 3+1, Luke Killeen 2+1

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Photo credit: DAN WESTLAKE