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Oxford Cheetahs beat Poole Pirates in Championship meeting
In a battle of first versus second at Oxford Stadium, the Cheetahs delivered their best performance of the season and maintained their 100 per cent record in the league, against Poole Pirates.
Like the Cheetahs, the defending champions arrived at Sandy Lane unbeaten in the Championship, however that came to an end as Peter Schroeck’s side claimed a memorable 52-38 victory.
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Sam Masters (11), Lewis Kerr (14), Scott Nicholls (13+1) and Henry Atkins (9+1) all returned with paid double-figure points hauls, with Kerr the deserved rider of the night.
Cameron Heeps played a critical role in the middle order too, posting 5+3, while Ryan Kinsley was fourth in his three rides.
The result puts Cheetahs four points clear at the top of the Championship table.
However, before praising his riders, team manager Schroeck applauded the efforts of the Cheetahs’ fanbase, who again turned out in huge numbers.
“I’ve been involved in speedway a long time and I can state on record the passion, commitment and support for this club is like no other,” he said.
“The crowds around the entire stadium just blow us away.
“We sound like a broken record saying it, but we really cannot thank the Oxfordshire public enough.
“We’re really pleased with the result and it concludes a busy period where we’ve earned maximum points.
“The racing was spectacular too, and while we give no inch on track off it we’re building a healthy rivalry with the Pirates whose fans always turn out in force – credit to them too.
“To earn a 14-point win is great. There were moments which went for us, and moments against.
“But overall we’re delighted and we’ll travel to Wimborne Road knowing we have a lead we’re capable of defending.”
Great achievement for @OxCityFC defender Andre Burley, who has helped St Kitts & Nevis reach the group stage of the Gold Cup for the first time. They’ll now come up against the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica in Group A
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) June 21, 2023
Victory over Pirates follows a fifth league win out of five with the 47-42 triumph away against Plymouth Gladiators on Tuesday evening.
Masters and Atkins led the way for Cheetahs in that meeting, scoring 11+1, while Kerr bagged an impressive haul of 11.
Skipper Nicholls was unbeaten in all rides he completed, although two exclusions restricted him to just nine points. Kinsley meanwhile chipped in with a critical 4+1 at reserve while Heeps scored one point from five rides.
The Cheetahs return to Oxford Stadium on July 5, when hosting Berwick Bandits in the Championship, but face a trip to Scunthorpe Scorpions before then on June 30.
