PREVIEW: Monarch Cheetahs out to tame Bears

MONARCH Oxford Cheetahs commence their league campaign in the Cab Direct Championship, when they host the Redcar Bears at Oxford Stadium on Wednesday evening (7.30pm).

Oxford finished second in the Cab Direct Championship league standings last season. They are unbeaten in three home meetings this season, and while they failed to progress to the latter stages of the BSN Series, Cheetahs pulled off a memorable 45-44 victory over Poole Pirates last Wednesday.

Oxford have also progressed to the semi-finals of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup, defeating league champions Glasgow Tigers in the quarter-finals, after a classic second leg at Cowley.

Cheetahs are forced into one change, after Henry Atkins broke a finger in last week’s win over Poole. Cheetahs will use rider replacement at No 3, while Cameron Heeps will move to No 2. They have also named a No 8, with local rider Jason Garrad stepping up, after his recent maximum for Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales at Sandy Lane.

There’s a very familiar face at No 1 for Redcar in Charles Wright, while former Oxford rider Ben Barker comes in to guest for the injured Danny King.

Team manager Peter Schroeck said: “We won’t be taking Redcar lightly. The Bears haven’t had the best start to the season, but we always treat the opposition with respect. There’s still a job for us to do.

“Of course, we want to start our league meetings in the Cab Direct Championship with a victory. The starting point in the league is to win your home meetings. After that, it’s about aggregate bonus points and taking away wins where you can.

“Cheetahs took an excellent win over Poole last Wednesday and we’ll be looking to build on that momentum. While Scott Nicholls grabbed the headlines with his world class overtake of Richard Lawson in the final race, there was pleasing contributions across the side, down to Luke Killeen and Ashton Boughen picking up 12 paid 14 between them at reserve.

“Henry Atkins is going to have an operation on his finger and he may need it plated. We’re switched things around a bit by moving rider replacement to No 3. I think we’ve got better cover that way.

“The last two home meetings against Glasgow and Poole have been very exciting and I’m sure another thrilling night is ahead.”

Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Admission is available at the early bird price £20 for all adults, which increases to £22 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.

Teams:

Monarch Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Henry Atkins R/R, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls (C), Ashton Boughen, Luke Killeen, Jason Garrad (No 8).

Redcar Bears (revised on Wednesday morning): Charles Wright (C), Jonas Knudsen, Connor Bailey, Dan Thompson (G), Michael Palm Toft (G), Jake Mulford, Ben Trigger.

PHOTO: Ashton Boughen and Jordan Jenkins on their way to a key 5-1 over Poole last week (pic: Les Aubrey)