PREMIERSHIP: Outstanding Cook scores 16 as Spires narrowly miss out on bonus point

Craig Cook scored a sparkling 16 points on debut as Oxford Spires slipped to a 49-41 reverse away to defending ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions Sheffield Tigers on Thursday night.

The former British Champion dropped only two points from six rides to top score on his first Spires appearance and take the race for the aggregate bonus point down to Heat 15.

A shared race – which Cook won – meant Spires narrowly missed out on the bonus point with Sheffield winning 92-88 over two legs. Australian Rohan Tungate was among the points too, returning with 10. While Erik Riss posted a handy seven.

Team manager Peter Schroeck said: “Craig was outstanding tonight, it was a great way for him to make his debut.

“We’re disappointed not to return home with a point but to run the league champions hard for the aggregate point is a real positive and something we can build on as a team as the season develops.

“We have to refocus now for Leicester on Monday which is a big meeting for us. We want to lay down a marker with a view to winning over both legs and picking up another bonus point, which is what will separate teams which make the play-offs and those that don’t.”

Tickets for Leicester Lions’ visit on Monday, May 6, are on sale now and available to book via the club website. Tapes-up at Sandy Lane is at 7.30pm.

Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski 4, Erik Riss 7, Charles Wright 1+1, Rohan Tungate 10, Chris Harris 3, Craig Cook 16, Ashton Boughen 0.

Photo: Charlotte Flanigan.