Howarth's absence is the big difference in Gladiators' loss

IT was a difficult night for the Plymouth Gladiators, in more ways than one, as defeat on the track was overshadowed by the passing of a much-loved member of their speedway family just hours before the Championship meeting with Birmingham Brummies.

- STUART JAMES

PLYMOUTH GLADIATORS.........42

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES........47 

Jacqui Ferguson, who has sold programmes on entrance to the Coliseum for several years now, was described by promoter Mark Phillips as an ‘integral and dependable member of staff since I took the club over from 2016’ and would be ‘greatly missed.’ Phillips added: “The loss on track last night was nothing compared to the news received at 1.30pm. Rest in peace Jacqui.”

A minute’s silence was held prior to the meeting and when tapes went up, a depleted Gladiators squad were beaten by a Brummies side that are much-improved on 2022.

It was already known that Jake Turner would miss the meeting as a result of injuries he suffered in the defeat to Poole on Friday, but the Gladiators then lost their number one and captain, Kyle Howarth, who is struggling with a neck injury also sustained on Friday.

The combative Lee Complin was drafted in as a guest for Turner, but by operating rider replacement for Howarth, the Gladiators missed his star quality with those replacements scoring just three points between them in four rides. Compare that to the Brummies’ number one, Nick Morris, who scored 8+2 – and the difference in reserve – then it is clear to see where the meeting was won and lost.