PLYMOUTH Devils were beaten 56-37 in their opening Premier League fixture at Sheffield Tigers on Thursday night

Despite the away defeat, there were some positive signs for the new-look Devils with Ryan Fisker (11+1), Jack Holder (9) and Morten Risager (7) producing strong performances against a Tigers side who had Simon Stead claiming a maximum.

The Devils will be in home action on Friday evening when they welcome Peterborough to St Boniface Arena in the League Cup (7.15pm).

Plymouth will be without skipper Kyle Newman as he will be on duty for his parent club Poole in their Elite League match at Coventry. He will be replaced by guest and former Devil Ty Proctor, who rode against Plymouth on Thursday for Sheffield.

Peterborough will be missing their number one Olly Allen, who is suffering from an ankle injury and the Panthers have called up Redcar’s Lasse Bjerre as a guest replacement.

He will be one of three Danish riders in the visiting team with skipper Ulrich Ostergaard being joined by Bjerre and Michael Palm Toft, a short-term replacement for the injured Adam Roynon.

The Devils will be looking for another good attendance as they begin their programme of regular Friday home meetings, especially following an encouraging response at the turnstiles for last Saturday’s match against Somerset.

Co-promoter Ashley Taylor said: “The attendance against Somerset was a welcome reward for the efforts of the guys who have been out and about with our advertising material and our colourful publicity vehicle.” 

Plymouth: Ryan Fisher, Jack Holder, Sam Simota, Ty Proctor, Morten Risager. Reserves: Sam Chapman, Ashley Morris.

Peterborough: Lasse Bjerre, Michael Palm Toft, Robert Lambert, Lewis Blackbird, Ulrich Ostergaard. Reserves: Oliver Greenwood, Simon Lambert.

Scores from Thursday’s Premier League match

Sheffield Tigers 56: Simon Stead 15, Andre Compton 6+2, Ashley Birks 10, Ty Proctor 6+2, David Bellego 9, Josh Bates 5+1, Arthur Sissis 5+3
Plymouth Devils 37: Ryan Fisher 11+1, Jack Holder 9, Sam Simota 1, Kyle Newman 5, Morten Risager 7, Sam Chapman 0, Ashley Morris 4+1