Gladiators to wrestle with Bears in last four

REDCAR STAND BETWEEN GLADIATORS AND CUP FINAL

- By STUART JAMES

Ben Barker (blue) and guest Alfie Bowtell (red) combine for a Gladiators 5-1 against Scunthorpe Scorpions. Right: team manager Garry May

THERE have been few highs and plenty of lows for the Plymouth Gladiators over the years, but it certainly feels like things are looking up at the Coliseum this season.

After a BSN Series campaign that brought injury and anger, the club have progressed to the semi-final of the Knockout Cup and made a solid start to their Championship campaign.

The season started with plenty of hope and a little expectation after the Plymouth promotion put together an eye-catching team. But on the first lap of the first heat of the first race of the season, disaster struck when exciting newcomer Tobias Thomsen was caught from behind and ploughed into the fence leaving him with some significant injuries. It was a tough pill to swallow, but the Dane hopes to be back on his bike in August.

Over the years, we have seen some true greats of British speedway grace the Plymouth shale, but other than when Lee Trigger’s Plymouth Devils won the Premier League Four-Team title in 2016, success and silverware has always alluded the club.