Devils keep it tight

Peterborough Panthers 46 Plymouth Devils 44

PLYMOUTH will be on their guard against any complacency when they attempt to pull back a two-point deficit in their home leg of the first round of the Travel Plus Tours KO Cup clash against Peterborough next month, writes Graham Hambly.

The Skills Group Devils lost 46-44 at Peterborough on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon and should be favourites to win on aggregate in the deciding leg at the St Boniface Arena on Thursday June 18.

But co-promoter Ashley Taylor warns: "Although we have a history of going to Peterborough and getting good results, we have already lost twice at home to the Panthers this season."

In the League Cup the Devils crashed 57-36 at home to Peterborough, despite only losing by six-points in the away fixture, and Peterborough have already won 52-40 on their League visit to the St Boniface Arena.

Even so, Taylor was heartened by his side’s performance in the first leg of the cup. He says: "It was an excellent result especially as Ryan Fisher had trouble with his engine in his first two rides before switching to his other machine.

"It was good to see Todd Kurtz getting among the points with a couple of race wins in his first meeting of the season."

Somerset await the winners and will stage their home leg of the second round at the Oaktree Arena on Friday July 10. If Plymouth are the first round winners they will stage the return leg against Somerset 24 hours later on Saturday July 11.

Peterborough: Rider replacement for Olly Allen, Michael Palm Toft 8+2 (5 rides), Ulrich Ostergaard 9 (6) Lewis Blackbird 3 (3), Robert Lambert 8+1 (5). Reserves: Oliver Greenwood 3+1 (4), Simon Lambert 15+1 (7).

Plymouth: Kyle Newman 11+1 (5 rides), Jack Holder 10+3 (5), Todd Kurtz 8 (4), Morten Risager 5 (4), Ryan Fisher 6+1 (4). Reserves: Sam Simota 4 (5), Matt Williamson 0 (3).