MEETING OFF: Plymouth Gladiators v Poole Pirates

11/04/23

Poole's second away match in the BSN series has been postponed due to the weather, with heavy rain forecasted to hit the Plymouth area from early morning and throughout the course of the day.

A date for the restaging is to be confirmed

With two wins already in their locker in the Southern group of the BSN Series,  the 'Wessex Marine' Pirates were due to face a stern test to make it three when scheduledto  travel to the Plymouth Coliseum on Tuesday, 11th April, (7pm), before the meeting was called early

The 'Prow Park' Gladiators look to have one of the strongest top three with Kyle Howarth and Richie Worrall being brought in to join Coliseum specialist Ben Barker. The two former Pirates, like Barker, know the quickest way round the small testing circuit and another ex-Poole rider,  Paul Starke, provides mid-order support alongside second- term Gladiator Dan Gilkes.

The Achilles heel of the west country set-up,  is likely to be at reserve,  positions where the Pirates look particularly strong themselves in Kyle Newman and Adam Roynon, two previous servants of Plymouth teams.

Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch weighed up the situation ahead of Tuesday's trip,  stating "It’s like Marmite. You either love it, or hate it, as it is a very technical track and gating is a premium. The home riders tend to love it so we have just got to go there with positive thoughts,  make some starts and be as difficult for them as possible.  We do have riders that can go well there, so we have no real need to have any fears,  just get stuck in and do what we love doing and that is winning meetings."

With an away win and an aggregate bonus point in their favour, the Pirates are well positioned to top the southern group and whilst victory is the target on Tuesday, the primary goal will be to run the Gladiators as close as possible to increase their prospects of a second aggregate bonus when they conclude their group fixtures at Wimborne Road on April 19th with the return of Tuesday's contest.
 
Teams
Plymouth 1 K.Howarth 2 D.Gilkes 3 P.Starke 4 B.Barker 5 R.Worrall 6 J.Turner 7 B.Trigger Team manager: Garry May
Poole 1 S.Worrall 2 A.Rowe 3 B.Cook 4 Z.Cook 5 R.Lawson 6 K.Newman 7 A.Roynon Team manager: Neil Middleditch

Photo courtesy and copyright Anthony Burchall