The Oxford Cheetahs claimed the bonus point with a 50-40 win over the Gladiators in an action packed BSN Series (Southern) clash at Sandy Lane.  

Gladiators Guest number 1 Chris Harris, in for Nicolai Klindt scorched to 17 points, backed by Joe Thompson (7) and Alfie Bowtell (6+4), whilst Cheetahs skipper Sam Masters produced another faultless full maximum.

Scores and heat results

Oxford Cheetahs = 50 (99)

1. Sam Masters - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 MAXIMUM

2. Jonas Knudsen - 2', 1, 3, 2', 1 = 9+2

3. Jordan Jenkins - 3, 0, FX, 3 = 6

4. Dan Gilkes - 2', 1, 2, 2 = 7+1

5. Cameron Heeps - 1, 3, 1, FX = 5

6. Mitch McDiarmid - 3, 2', 0, FX  = 5+1

7. Luke Killeen - 2', 0, 0, 1 = 3+1

Plymouth Gladiators = 40 (80)

1. Chris Harris (G) - 1, 3, 3, 3, 3, 2, 2 = 17

2. Alfie Bowtell - 0, 2', 1', 2', 1', 0 = 6+4

3. Mitchell Cluff - 1, 0, 0, 2 = 3

4. Joe Thompson - 0, 2, 1, 1, 3 = 7

5. Ben Barker R/R - (CH - 3, JT - 2, AB - 1' = 6+1)

6. Lasse Fredriksen - 1, 2', FX = 3+1

7. Ben Trigger - 0, EX, 2, 1, 0, 1 = 4

Heat Results

Heat 01: Masters, Knudsen, Harris, Bowtell 5-1 58.94

Heat 02: McDiarmid, Killeen, Fredriksen, Trigger 5-1 (10-2) 59.41

Heat 03: Jenkins, Gilkes, Cluff, Thompson 5-1 (15-3) 60.16

Heat 04: Harris, Fredriksen, Heeps, Killeen 1-5 (16-8) 59.31 

Heat 05: Harris, Bowtell, Gilkes, Jenkins 1-5 (17-13) 60.27 

Heat 06: Masters, Thompson, Knudsen, Fredriksen (FX) 4-2 (21-15) 60.41

Heat 07: Heeps, McDiarmid, Thompson, Cluff 5-1 (26-16) 61.03 

Heat 08: Knudsen, Trigger, Bowtell, Killeen 3-3 (29-19) 61.28 

Heat 09: Harris, Gilkes, Trigger, Jenkins (FX) 2-4 (31-23) Awarded

Heat 10: Masters, Knudsen, Thompson, Cluff 5-1 (36-24) 61.07

Heat 11: Harris, Bowtell, Heeps, McDiarmid 1-5 (37-29) 61.31 

Heat 12: Jenkins, Cluff, Killeen, Trigger 4-2 (41-31) 60.91

Heat 13: Masters, Harris, Bowtell, Heeps (FX) 3-3 (44-34) Awarded 

Heat 14: Thompson, Gilkes, Trigger, McDiarmid (FX) 2-4 (46-38) 60.11

Heat 15: Masters, Harris, Knudsen, Bowtell 4-2 (50-40) 60.47

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image credit: Steve Edmunds

The Plymouth Gladiators travel to Sandy Lane this evening to take on the Oxford Cheetahs in their final BSN Series (Southern) meeting (tapes up 7.30pm)

The Gladiators, who sit one point behind The Cheetahs in the BSN Series table, having lost in the corresponding fixture at The Coliseum, bring in Chris Harris as a guest for number 1 Nicolai Klindt, who is riding in his native Denmark, whilst skipper Ben Barker is sidelined due to injury, with rider replacement (R/R) in effect.

A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.

Full info: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Teams:

Oxford Cheetahs: 

Sam Masters (C), Jonas Knudsen, Jordan Jenkins, Dan Gilkes, Cameron Heeps, Mitch McDiarmid, Luke Killeen.

Plymouth Gladiators: 

Chris Harris (G), Alfie Bowtell, Mitchell Cluff, Joe Thompson, Ben Barker (R/R), Lasse Fredriksen, Ben Trigger.

Image Credit: UK Weather Chase.

Plymouth Gladiators Ben Triger qualified through to the U21 British Final after finishing third in the qualifier at The Coliseum. The meeting was won by Luke Killeen.

Result:

1. Luke Killeen 14
2. William Cairns 13
3. Ben Trigger 11
4. Ace Pijper 10
5. Sam McGurk 10
6. Jody Scott 9
7. Max Perry 9
8. Freddy Hodder

All qualify for the British Under-21 Final

Other scorers: Senna Summers 8, Stene Pijper 7, Mickie Simpson 7, Cooper Rushen 4, Ashton Vale 3, Ryan Ingram 2, Jack Shimelt 2, Jamie Etherington 2, Charlie Southwick (Reserve) 1, Harry Fletcher (Reserve) 0

The British Under-21 Qualifier takes place at the Coliseum this Tuesday (April 29th), with the top eight riders joining the eight seeded riders at the British U21 Final, which takes place at Glasgow on May 18th.

The line-up includes the Gladiators Ben Trigger, along with a host of other rising stars of British Speedway including William Cairns, Cooper Rushen, Ace Pijper and Max Perry.

Gates open at 5pm, with tapes up at 7pm.

Full line up:

1. Stene Pijper
2. Mickie Simpson
3. Luke Killeen
4. Senna Summers
5. Freddy Hodder
6. Sam McGurk
7. Jamie Etherington
8. Jack Shimelt
9. William Cairns
10. Max Perry
11. Ben Trigger
12. Ashton Vale
13. Cooper Rushen
14. Jody Scott
15. Ace Pijper
16. Ryan Ingram

Reserves

17. Harry Fletcher
18. Charlie Southwick
    

Ticket details:

Pay on gate only

Adult: £20

Students: £10 (with ID)

U16’s: Free

For those unable to attend track side, a live stream can be purchased here: https://www.gladiatorslive.com/

Main Image: UK Weather Chase.

The Plymouth Gladiators extracted revenge on the Poole Pirates with a 46-44 victory in a last heat decider at The Coliseum in the BSN Series (Southern).

In another nip and tuck meeting, which saw the Gladiators skipper Ben Barker clear the fence in an alarming crash in heat 4, before withdrawing after his second ride, the scores were tied after 13 heats.  The Gladiators edged ahead with a maximum 5-1 heat advantage from guest reserve Zaine Kennedy and Joe Thompson in heat 14, and took victory on the night with a 2-4 in the nominated heat 15.

Joe Thompson top scored with a stunning 14+1, backed by Zaine Kennedy (9) 

Plymouth Gladiators = 46 (78)

1. Nicolai Klindt - 2, 3, 1, 2, 0 = 8

2. Alfie Bowtell - 1', 2', 3, 0, 1' = 7+3

3. Mitchell Cluff - 0, 0, 1' = 1+1

4. Joe Thompson - 2, 3, 2, 3, 2', 2 = 14+1

5. Ben Barker - FX, 0 = 0 WITHDRAWN

6. Zaine Kennedy (G) - 3, 1, 0, 2, 3 = 9

7. Ben Trigger - 1, 3, 2', 1' = 7+2

Poole Pirates = 44 (102)

1. Richard Lawson - 3, 2, 1', 3, 3 = 12+1

2. Tobias Thomsen - 0, 1', 0, 2 = 3+1

3. Anders Rowe - 3, 3, 3, 3, 1 = 13

4. Zach Cook - 1, 2', 2', 0 = 5+2

5. Lewis Kerr - 2, 0, R, 0 = 2

6. Paul Starke - 2, 1, 1, 3, 1 = 8

7. Matt Marson - 0, 1', 0 = 1+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Lawson, Klindt, Bowtell, Thomsen. 3-3...52.05

Heat 02: Kennedy, Starke, Trigger, Marson. (4-2)...7-5...54.30

Heat 03: Rowe, Thompson, Cook, Cluff. (2-4)...9-9...53.01

Heat 04 (Re-Run): Trigger, Kerr, Marson, Barker (Fell, Excluded). (3-3)...12-12...54.05

Heat 05: Thompson, Lawson, Thomsen, Cluff. (3-3)...15-15...54.09

Heat 06: Klindt, Bowtell, Starke, Kerr. (5-1)...20-16...54.53

Heat 07 (Re-Run): Rowe, Cook, Kennedy, Barker. (1-5)...21-21...53.66

Heat 08: Bowtell, Trigger, Starke, Thomsen. (5-1)...26-22...53.88

Heat 09: Starke, Thompson, Cluff, Kerr (Retired). (3-3)...29-25...54.52

Heat 10: Rowe, Cook, Klindt, Bowtell. (1-5)...30-30...53.84

Heat 11: Thompson, Thomsen, Lawson, Kennedy. (3-3)...33-33...54.55

Heat 12: Rowe, Kennedy, Trigger, Marson. (3-3)...36-36...53.92

Heat 13: Lawson, Klindt, Bowtell, Kerr. (3-3)...39-39...53.73

Heat 14: Kennedy, Thompson, Starke, Cook. (5-1)...44-40...54.32

Heat 15: Lawson, Thompson, Rowe, Klindt. (2-4)...46-44...54.75

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image credit: UK Weather Chase

This Saturday night (26th April) promises fireworks at The Coliseum, when The Plymouth Gladiators return to track action against the Poole Pirates in the BSN Series (South).

Having gone down to a 58-32 defeat in the reverse fixture at Wimborne Road, the Gladiators will be looking for revenge and to pick up their first points in the BSN Series.

Plymouth captain Ben Barker is leaving no room for doubt when it comes to the importance of this fixture. “IT’S SIMPLE, IT’S A MUST WIN,” he declared. “The rivalry doesn’t get any bigger than Plymouth vs Poole.  The Gladiators bring in Zaine Kennedy for reserve Lasse Fredriksen who is representing Norway in the European Pairs in Krsko, Slovenia.

The Gladiators will be counting on a passionate home crowd, to create a fortress atmosphere as they aim to turn the tables on the Pirates.

Teams

Plymouth Gladiators:

Nicolai Klindt, Joe Thompson, Alfie Bowtell, Mitchell Cluff, Ben Barker, Zaine Kennedy (guest), Ben Trigger. Team Manager: Garry May

Poole Pirates:

1 Richard Lawson 2 Tobias Thomsen 3 Anders Rowe 4 Zach Cook (capt) 5 Lewis Kerr 6 Paul Starke 7 Matt Marson Team Manager: Neil Middleditch

Meeting Info:

Gates open 5pm – with tapes up at 7pm.

Prices (Cash or card on the gate)

Adult Seated:  £23.00 (Area 1 NHS Stand)

Adult Standing: £20.00 (Area 2: All other areas)

16 years & under: Free of charge

Students (standing): £10

(Proof of ID may be required)

For those unable to attend track side, a live stream can be purchased here: https://www.gladiatorslive.com/

Main Image: UK Weather Chase.

The Plymouth Gladiators slipped to their second BSN Series (Southern) defeat, going down 58-32 against The Poole Pirates at Wimborne Road.

The Gladiators had started the meeting brightly and were trailing by two points after heat 7, including two maximum heat advantages from the reserve pairing of Lasse Fredriksen and Ben Trigger followed by Nicolai Klindt and Joe Thompson.  

A snapped chain and a fall for Fredriksen in heat 8 saw the Pirates take a five-one in the re-run, before delivering further maximum heat advantages in the 9th and 10th to open up a 14 point lead.

Heats were shared in the 11th and 12th before the Pirates extended their lead further with tapes to flag 5-1s in the final three heats.

Number 1 Nicolai Klindt top scored for the Gladiators with12, backed by by reserve Ben Trigger with 6 (+2)

The return fixture takes place at The Coliseum this Saturday (April 26th) with gates open at 5pm and the first race at 7:00 pm

Poole Pirates = 58

1. Richard Lawson - 2, 3, 3, 2’, 2’ = 12+2

2. Tobias Thomsen - 1’, 2’, 3, 2’ = 8+3

3. Anders Rowe - 3, 1, 2’, 3 = 9+1

4. Zach Cook - 2’, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 14+1 (Paid Max)

5. Lewi Kerr - 3, 1, 3, 3 = 10

6. Paul Starke - 1, 0, 2’, FX, 2’ = 5+2

7. Matt Marson - 0, 0, 0 = 0

Plymouth Gladiators = 32

1. Nicolai Klindt - 3, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1 = 12

2. Alfie Bowtell - 0, 0, 1’ = 1+1

3. Mitchell Cluff - 0, 0, 1’ = 1+1

4. Joe Thompson - 1, 2’, 1, 1 = 5+1

5. Ben Barker - 2, 1, 1, 0, 0 = 4

6. Lasse Fredriksen - 3, 0, FX, R = 3

7. Ben Trigger - 2’, 1’, 1, 2, 0 = 6+2

Heat Results

Heat 01: Klindt, Lawson, Thomsen, Bowtell 3-3

Heat 02: Fredriksen, Trigger, Starke, Marson 1-5, 4-8

Heat 03: Rowe, Cook, Thompson, Cluff 5-1, 9-9

Heat 04: Kerr, Barker, Trigger, Marson 3-3, 12-12

Heat 05: Cook, Klindt, Rowe, Bowtell 4-2, 16-14

Heat 06: Lawson, Thomsen, Barker, Fredriksen 5-1, 21-15

Heat 07: Klindt, Thompson, Kerr, Starke 1-5, 22-20

Heat 08 Re-Run: Thomsen, Starke, Trigger, Fredriksen (FX) 5-1, 27-21

Heat 09: Cook, Rowe, Barker, Fredriksen (R) 5-1, 32-22

Heat 10: Lawson, Thomsen, Thompson, Cluff 5-1, 37-23

Heat 11 Re-Run x2: Kerr, Klindt, Bowtell, Starke (FX) 3-3, 40-26

Heat 12: Rowe, Trigger, Cluff, Marson 3-3, 43-29

Heat 13: Kerr, Lawson, Klindt, Barker 5-1, 48-30

Heat 14: Cook, Starke, Thompson, Trigger 5-1, 53-31

Heat 15: Cook, Lawson, Klindt, Barker 5-1, 58-32

Courtesy of Speedway Updates:

Image Credit: UK Weather Chase

The Plymouth Gladiators travel to South coast rivals the Poole Pirates on Wednesday (23rd April) for their first away fixture of the 2025 season in the BSN Series.

The Gladiators will be looking to score their first BSN league points, as they currently sit below both the Pirates and Oxford in the Southern table, following the 41-48 defeat at the hands of The Cheetahs at The Coliseum on Saturday.

Tapes up at Wimborne Road is 7.30pm, with the meeting streamed live on the British Speedway Network from 7pm.

Teams:

Poole Pirates:

1 Richard Lawson 2 Tobias Thomsen 3 Anders Rowe 4 Zach Cook (capt) 5 Lewis Kerr 6 Paul Starke 7 Matt Marson Team Manager: Neil Middleditch

Plymouth Gladiators:

1 Nicolai Klindt, 2. Alfie Bowtell 3. Mitchell Cluff 4. Joe Thompson 5. Ben Barker 6. Lasse Fredriksen 7. Ben Trigger.  Team Manager: Garry May

Image Credit: UK Weather Chase

The Plymouth Gladiators slipped to a 41-48 defeat in their BSN Series (Southern) clash against The Oxford Cheetahs.

In front of a big opening night crowd, the Gladiators had built an 8 point lead by heat 7, but the Cheetahs clawed their way back into the meeting, delivering heat advantages in the 8th and 10, before taking the lead by a point following a maximum heat advantage in heat 11.

Despite shared points in heats 12 and 14, the Cheetahs, led by skipper Sam Masters with full maximum, took victory on the night with a further 1-5 in the 13th and a 2-4 in the nominated heat 15.

Reserve Lasse Fredriksen, making his debut for The Gladiators, top scored for the home team with 12, backed by Joe Thompson and Ben Barker with 7 points each.

Scores

Plymouth Gladiators : 41

1. Nicolai Klindt - 2, 3, 0, 1 = 6

2. Alfie Bowtell - 1', 1, 2, 2 = 6+1

3. Mitchell Cluff - 2', 0, 0, Fx = 2+1

4. Joe Thompson - 3, 1, 3, 0 = 7

5. Ben Barker - 3, 3, 1, 0, 0 = 7

6. Lasse Fredriksen - 3, 1, 0, 3, 3, 2 = 12

7. Ben Trigger - 0, 1, 0 = 1

Oxford Cheetahs : 48

1. Sam Masters - 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15 Maximum

2. Jonas Knudsen - 0, 2', 3, 2' = 7+2

3. Jordan Jenkins - Fx, 2, 1, 2 = 5

4. Dan Gilkes - Fx, 0, 3, 2 = 5

5. Cameron Heeps - 2, 2, 1', 2', 1 = 8+2

6. Mitch McDiarmid - 2, 0, 2, 1', 1' = 6+2

7. Luke Killeen - 1', 0, 1 = 2+1

Heat Results

Plymouth on gates 1&3.

Heat 01: Masters, Klindt, Bowtell, Knudsen 3-3 (3-3) 52.23

Heat 02: Fredriksen, McDiarmid, Killeen, Trigger 3-3 (6-6) 53.80

Heat 03: Thompson, Cluff, Jenkins (Fx), Gilkes (Fx) 5-0 (11-6) 54.79

Heat 04: Barker, Heeps, Trigger, Killeen 4-2 (15-8) 52.82

Heat 05: Masters, Knudsen, Thompson, Cluff 1-5 (16-13) 53.09

Heat 06: Klindt, Heeps, Bowtell, McDiarmid 4-2 (20-15) 52.54

Heat 07: Barker, Jenkins, Fredriksen, Gilkes 4-2 (24-17) 53.39

Heat 08: Knudsen, Bowtell, Killeen, Trigger 2-4 (26-21) 57.69

Heat 09: Thompson, McDiarmid, Heeps, Cluff 3-3 (29-24) 53.52

Heat 10: Gilkes, Bowtell, Jenkins, Klindt 2-4 (31-28) 53.23

Heat 11: Masters, Knudsen, Barker, Fredriksen 1-5 (32-33) 53.61

Heat 12: Fredriksen, Jenkins, McDiarmid, Cluff (Fx) 3-3 (35-36) 53.39

Heat 13: Masters, Heeps, Klindt, Barker 1-5 (36-41) 53.55

Heat 14: Fredriksen, Gilkes, McDiarmid, Thompson 3-3 (39-44) 53.99

Heat 15: Masters, Fredriksen, Heeps, Barker 2-4 (41-48) 53.48

Courtesy of Speedway Updates

Image: UK Weather Chase.

The Plymouth Gladiators 2025 season commences this Saturday (19th April) when they take on the Oxford Cheetahs at The Coliseum in the BSN Series (Southern).

The BSN Series is divided into three regional groups, with both Poole and Oxford joining The Gladiators in the Southern group. The group winner progresses to the semi-finals, with the best runner-up across the three groups also advancing.

The clash will see the Gladiators new number one Nicolai Klindt, Aussie signing Mitchell Cluff and former Edinburgh Monarch rider Lasse Fredriksen all make their home debuts, whilst the Cheetahs will be looking to advance their BSN Series campaign after drawing their opening fixture against The Poole Pirates, but missing out on an extra point in the concluding Super Heat.

Teams:

Plymouth Gladiators:

Nicolai Klindt, Joe Thompson, Alfie Bowtell, Mitchell Cluff, Ben Barker, Lasse Fredriksen,Ben Trigger

Oxford Cheetahs:

Sam Masters, Jonas Knudsen, Jordan Jenkins, Dan Gilkes, Cameron Heeps, Mitch McDiarmid, Luke Killeen.

Meeting Info:

Gates open 5pm - with tapes up at 7pm.

Prices (Cash or card on the gate)

Adult Seated:  £23.00 (Area 1 NHS Stand)

Adult Standing: £20.00 (Area 2: All other areas)

16 years & under: Free of charge

Students (standing): £10

(Proof of ID may be required)

The first 40 children through the gate will also receive a free Easter Egg. 

For those unable to attend track side, a live stream can be purchased here: https://www.gladiatorslive.com/

Main Image: UK Weather Chase.