Bournemouth...55 Plymouth Devils...40

THE Devils bid to close the gap on their hosts and claim their first away National League points of the season fell flat with the city outfit losing heavily away to Bournemouth last night.

A victory for the hosts had looked on the cards before the meeting, with Bournemouth having won all five of their home league matches prior to the encounter with Plymouth.

And so it turned with the only bright spots for the Devils, who were unchanged from the line-up which went down by eight points at Weymouth last Saturday, being the performances of their leading riders.

Skipper Seemond Stephens top scored for the visitors with 14 points, followed by another of the Devils' experienced riders Mark Simmonds, who contributed 10 to the total.

New signing Nicki Glanz was next best for Mike Bowden's Devils, with eight points, but their efforts proved in vain as the visitors never seriously troubled Bournemouth.

Bowden praised the efforts of his leading scorers but admitted his side's reserves again came up short when it mattered.

He also said that Bournemouth's blistering start had left Plymouth playing catch-up for the remainder of the meeting.

"They (Bournemouth) hit us with two 5-1 wins early on and that was about it, thereafter really," said Bowden.

"I've always said that a good speedway side should win their home matches and Bournemouth again last night were a case in point.

"I can't fault the efforts of Seemond and Mark, while also Nicki did his best, but were not given enough support. Our reserves, Jaimie Rickard, excepted, were unable to chip in with enough points when it mattered.

"David Gough blowing his engine up didn't help, of course, but that's the way it goes for us away from home.

"Fair play to Bournemouth, though, they have good riders and are very capable at home.

"But we've got them down at our place in a couple of weeks in the reverse fixture and I fully expect that we'll do a number on them.

"It's a disappointing result, especially for the riders and for the fantastic fans of Plymouth Devils, but we'll bounce back."

Devils will be bouncing back at home to Newport as Bowden's team continue the defence of their National Trophy at the St Boniface Arena tomorrow night (7.30pm).

Devils: Nicki Glanz, David Gough, Matt Bates, Seemond Stephens, Mark Simmonds. Reserves: Jaimie Pickard, Ben Reade.