Panthers maul the Devils

Plymouth Skillsgroup Devils 40-52 Peterborough ReadyPower Panthers

PLYMOUTH suffered a disappointing 52-40 defeat against Peterborough in their first home Premier League match of the season at the St Boniface Arena on Friday evening, writes Graham Hambly.

The Skills Group Devils lacked the all round strength of the visitors, who provided 12 of the 15 race winners.

Team manager Lee Trigger said: “It was a poor show and we let the supporters down again. We did not make the starts and did not perform as a team.

“It means we will be playing catch up in the Premier League. We will have to have a good look at ourselves because we cannot afford to go on losing at home.”

Sam Simota and skipper Kyle Newman gave Plymouth a winning start in the first race but that was a rare heat win for the home side.

Former Plymouth favourite Ben Barker made a successful return to the Arena with 12 (paid 13) points as a guest for Peterborough’s injured number one Olly Allen and there were also double figure returns for visiting skipper Ulrich Ostergaard and Lewis Blackbird.

Plymouth: Kyle Newman 9+2 (5 rides), Sam Simota 9 (5), Jack Holder 6 (4), Morten Risager 5+2 (4), Ryan Fisher 4+1 (4). Reserves: Ashley Morris 6+1 (5), Ben Morley 1+1 (3).

Peterborough: Ben Barker 12+1 (5), Michael Palm Toft 8+1 (5), rider replacement for Robert Lambert, Lewis Blackbird 11+1 (5), Ulrich Ostergaard 14+1 (6). Reserves: Oliver Greenwood 0 (3), Simon Lambert 7+1 (6).

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