KO Cup: Cheetahs book semi-final spot with last heat maximum

The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs booked their spot in the semi finals of the Cab Direct Championship KO Cup on Wednesday evening with a 54-36 win over Glasgow Tigers.

Trailing by 12 points entering the second leg, Cheetahs entered the meeting knowing 52 points would be enough to book their spot in the competition’s semi finals. But they went two points better, with a Heat 15 5-1 courtesy of Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls confirming the club’s 93-87 win on aggregate.

Masters and Nicholls top scored on the night with 12+1 each while teenager Luke Killeen starred at reserve, posting a match-winning 8+3 from five rides. There were also heat wins for Henry Atkins, Cameron Heeps and Jordan Jenkins. Following an exclusion in his opening ride after an awkward fall, Ashton Boughen scored 0.

Cheetahs boss Peter Schroeck was pleased with his side’s performance and praised an all-round team performance.

“I never doubted we had the firepower in our team to turn this one around,” said Schroeck. “The boys all pulled together and while Ashton (Boughen) had an off night everyone worked hard as a team to get the points we needed.

“The racing was sensational too, and I’m sure even for the neutral at home it was an entertaining meeting to watch. We made hard work of it against Plymouth a fortnight ago but tonight I thought we witnessed the real potential of this squad which took us so far in last year’s Championship.

“Credit to Glasgow for putting up a fight. We have enjoyed the challenge they bring since our regeneration and these two legs were no exception.”

The Monarch Cheetahs return to action on Saturday night away to Plymouth Gladiators in the BSN Series. Tapes-up in Devon is at 7pm.