New-look Gladiators will be hoping for more luck in 2023

A WEEK on from hosting Paul Starke’s testimonial at the Coliseum, the Plymouth Gladiators host their first competitive meeting of the year tonight when Poole Pirates arrive in the BSN Cup Series.

- STUART JAMES

All eyes will be on the skies throughout the day with the forecast of rain to come, but if tonight’s meeting does go ahead, then it is hoped a big crowd will be in attendance for a meeting against last year’s Championship champions and Knock-Out Cup winners.

Once again, the Pirates look a formidable force for 2023 – as do many teams in the second tier, including Plymouth – and they are many people’s favourites for silverware. They have opened their season with back-to-back wins against Oxford Cheetahs and will provide the Gladiators with a stern test this evening.

Captaining the Pirates is Steve Worrall, who will come up against his brother, Richie, one of the seven Gladiators for 2023. Former Gladiators/Plymouth Devils in their lineup also include Zach Cook, Kyle Newman and Adam Roynan, while Richard Lawson is no stranger to the Coliseum either. Cook’s brother, Ben, and Anders Rowe make up their septet.