REPORT: Cheetahs make it five from five in Plymouth!
The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs went two points clear at the top of the Cab Direct Championship table on Tuesday night after beating Plymouth Gladiators 42-47 at Plymouth Coliseum.
Henry Atkins once again played a starring role at reserve scoring 11+1 and scooped two race wins on the night while Sam Masters (11+1) and Lewis Kerr (11) also returned with double figure hauls.
Skipper Scott Nicholls was unbeaten in all rides he completed, although two exclusions restricted him to just nine points. Ryan Kinsley meanwhile chipped in with a critical 4+1 at reserve while Cameron Heeps scored one point from five rides.
The result means the Monarch Cheetahs remain unbeaten in the Cab Direct Championship ahead of Wednesday’s crunch home meeting against defending league champions Poole Pirates.
Team Manager Peter Schroeck issued a rallying call to the Oxfordshire public immediately after Cheetahs’ win in Devon, stating every voice on the terraces on Wednesday night will play a critical role in the meeting’s outcome.
“Firstly, tonight was a huge result for us,” said Schroeck. “That’s three away victories on the spin and this team is getting stronger with every meeting.
“We missed Jordan (Jenkins) in the main body of the team and Scott picked up a couple of exclusions. If we knew prior to the meeting that we’d have those exclusions and Jordan’s rides would return two points, you’d make us the clear underdogs.
“But Henry and Ryan at reserve played key roles and we’re over the moon with this win. We got the Poole monkey off our back a few weeks ago when beating them in the KO Cup, but tomorrow night we really want to lay down a marker to the rest of the division.
“Every voice on the terraces will be huge. We hear you from the pits, and it makes the world of difference. Our supporters have been extraordinary this season and we want to keep the good times rolling.
“So, round up your friends, get your family together and bring the U16s along and let’s get Oxford Stadium rocking. We know Poole are a tough team, but we’re capable of continuing this run on home shale and we have every intention of doing that.”
TICKETS for the Monarch Cheetahs’ Cab Direct Championship tie against Poole Pirates are on sale via the club’s ticketing hub via www.oxfordspeedway.club/tickets. Adults are priced £20 (£22 on the day) and ALL U16s go free.
Doors open at 6pm with tapes-up at 7.30pm.
Plymouth Gladiators: Kyle Howarth 9, Ben Morley 4+2, Ben Barker 5+1, Dan Gilkes 9+2, Richie Worrall 7+1, Jake Turner 3, Ben Trigger 5.
Monarch Cheetahs: Sam Masters 11+1, Cameron Heeps 1, Lewis Kerr 11, R/R Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls 9, Henry Atkins 11+1, Ryan Kinsley 4+1.
ends