Devils make Premier KO Cup semis

Plymouth reached the semi-final of the Premier Knock-Out Cup with a thrilling 50-40 win over Peterborough in the deciding leg of their quarter-final tie at the St Boniface Arena on Friday evening, writes Graham Hambly.

The Skills Group Devils went into the second leg with a two-point deficit from the away leg at Peterborough on Tuesday and their ten-point home win saw them progress 94-86 on aggregate.

Skipper Ben Barker led the way with a 15-point maximum and received excellent support from Rasmus Jensen and reserve Sam Simota while Kyle Newman was unbeaten in his final three races.

Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: "We did the hard work in the first leg, but we rode well as a team to complete the job in front of our home supporters.

"Although he only scored a couple of points, young James Shanes played his part when he picked up a vital third place from Dan Halsey in heat 12. That lifted the team for the final three heats."

In fact, the point scored by Shanes ensured that the aggregate scores were level pegging going into those final three races. The Devils then clinched overall victory with one race to spare following a couple of decisive 5-1 heat wins.

The one downside for Plymouth was an injury to Kalle Katajisto, who had to pull out of the meeting with a damaged wrist after a fall in his third race.

Plymouth: Ben Barker 15 (5 rides), rider replacement for Adam Roynon, Kalle Katajisto 0 (3), Kyle Newman 8+2 (4), Rasmus Jensen 12+2 (6). Reserves: Sam Simota 13 (7), James Shanes 2+1 (5).

Peterborough: Rider replacement for Ryan Fisher, Lewis Blackbird 8 (5), Ales Dryml 11+4 (6), Ulrich Ostergaard 11 (6), Lasse Bjerre 5+2 (5). Reserves: Dan Halsey 4 (5), Ben Hopwood 1+1 (3).

See the full match details here.

For more news visit the Plymouth Devils website: http://www.plymouthdevils.co/