REPORT: Chargers earn aggregate point in challenging conditions at Belle Vue
DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales showed real spirit in testing conditions in a narrow 42-48 loss at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium in Manchester last night (Friday). The result meant that Chargers won the aggregate bonus point by 91-88.
Chargers move onto 13 points, the same total as league leaders Leicester Lion Cubs, although Leicester have ridden in two less meetings than Chargers. Lion Cubs are currently deemed to be top on race points difference.
The performance from Chargers was impressive, since 15-year-old wonder kid William Cairns – who had already rode both for and against Chargers in a couple of very notable guest appearances – made his debut for Belle Vue Colts and scored paid 19 from seven outings from reserve.
Such a terrific performance from a reserve would have totally sunk many other teams, but Chargers stayed right in contention and were level with two races remaining.
The continuation of the meeting seemed in real doubt after three races after a spell of persistent rain. But the track staff in Manchester – led by former Oxford rider Andy Meredith – did a fine job with the use of dry shale and racing resumed, with the young riders of both teams showing great maturity in challenging conditions.
Before that, Heat 1 provided a classic race, in which Chargers’ skipper Luke Killeen and Colts’ No 1 Sam Hagon exchanged places no fewer than NINE races before Killeen took the verdict.
Chargers led 7-5 after two races, but Belle Vue took a 5-1 in Heat 3 in the last race before the break due to the rain.
After racing resumed, Colts built up a 24-18 lead after Heat 7. But Chargers were far from beaten and Senna Summers and Ashton Vale hit back a 5-1 in Heat 8. Summers had previously produced a great ride to pressure Harry McGurk into a mistake to take third on the final lap of Heat 4, when conditions were at their trickiest.
Heat 9 was another interesting battle, as Belle Vue’s Matt Marson was the early leader and passed by Jody Scott, who in turn was overtaken by Cairns. Jacob Clouting then passed Marson, who then fell trying to regain third.
The race eventually finished as a 3-3 and commenced a run of four shared races, before Chargers levelled the scores with a 4-2 from Killeen and Jody Scott in Heat 13.
Belle Vue moved back ahead with a 4-2 in Heat 14. Crucially, Colts had choice of gate positions in Heat 15 and Cairns and Hagon pulled ahead of the previously unbeaten Killeen for a match-winning 5-1.
Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “The Belle Vue track staff did a great job with the track after the rain. The riders of both sides kept their heads and it was a good meeting.
“I went out there with the referee (Craig Ackroyd), while they were working on the track. I could see what they were doing was good, so came back and told our lads that there was nothing particularly nasty out there and to get stuck in and they did.
“The track here can be quite intimidating. It’s fast and furious and when it’s also a bit tricky, it can be tough.
“Some of the lesser experienced riders, such as Senna (Summers), haven’t been out in conditions like that often, but he stuck in and produced a couple of great rides. Senna and Jacob again had a good night at reserve, as they did at Middlesbrough last week.
“We know what a great talent William Cairns is. When you’ve got an opposing reserve scoring paid 19 against you and you’ve only lost by six points, you’ve done pretty well.
“Heat 1 was one of the best races you’ll see this season – it was a fabulous battle between Luke and Sam Hagon. Luke led from the front tonight. It was a shame we didn’t have the gates in Heat 15, because he just couldn’t make gate two work in that one.
“I’m pleased Jody and Ashton have come back from injury and shown no ill effects. Overall, it was a positive night and the boys all chipped in and can be proud to have gone home with a well-deserved bonus point for their efforts.”
Both Scott and Summers will represent Chargers in the next round of the National League Development Riders’ Series at Leicester on Sunday. In the meantime, Oxford Cheetahs ride at Berwick tonight (7pm) in Cab Direct Championship action, where Scott is guesting for Cheetahs at reserve, alongside Killeen.
The next action at Oxford Stadium is next Wednesday (August 7) at 7.30pm, when the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs entertain the Plymouth Gladiators in the Cab Direct Championship. Tickets are already on sale at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Belle Vue Colts 48: Sam Hagon 12+1, Jack Shimelt 1, Luke Muff R/R, Matt Marson 5+1, Freddy Holder 10+1. William Cairns 17+2, Harry McGurk 3.
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales 42: Luke Killeen 13, Ashton Vale 3+1, Jamie Etherington 1+1, Max Perry 6, Jody Scott 7, Jacob Clouting 6+2, Senna Summers 6+3.
(Photo: Steve Edmunds)