PREVIEW: Top of the table clash for Chargers

DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales are aiming to become the first side to defeat league leaders Leicester Lion Cubs in the WSRA National League this season, at Oxford Stadium on Sunday afternoon (August 25, 3pm).

Leicester are champions-elect and have won all eight of their matches so far this season. Lion Cubs won the corresponding match at Beaumont Park on June 23 by 47-41, and will secure the championship if they win or take the aggregate bonus point at Cowley.

Second-placed Chargers can still finish level on points with Leicester on 19 points, but Lion Cubs currently have much superior race points difference and it would require two extraordinary results in the final matches for both sides to reverse that situation.

Chargers won the National League last season, by defeating Lion Cubs in the Grand Final. This season, there are no play-offs – the team which finishes top are champions.

Chargers are hoping that skipper Luke Killeen will be fit to resume his place at No 1. The 19-year-old was taken by hospital with neck pain after being collected by James Pearson at Oxford on Wednesday, but escaped without any broken bones.

Luke’s older brother, Declan, is set to make his debut in British Speedway at No 7 for Chargers, having replaced the injured Alex Spooner.

Connor Coles – who scored 7+2 for Cheetahs on Wednesday – will guest for Chargers in place of Jason Garrad, who is ruled out of the rest of the season after a crash at Poole.

The early postponement of a meeting at Workington means that Joe Thompson can line up at No 1 for Lion Cubs, while they use rider replacement for the injured Vinnie Foord..

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m proud how the Chargers have gone this season and the meeting against Leicester is the last chance for our supporters to see the Chargers racing at home as a team this year.

“We lost Jordan Jenkins, Henry Atkins and Ryan Kinsley from our championship-winning squad, but all the lads have stepped up and it’s fantastic that we’re so high up in the table.

“Luke (Killeen) has taken up his role as skipper and No 1 in his stride and has done so well in all three Oxford sides, while Jody (Scott) has moved up from second string to heat-leader and is almost ready for a full-time Championship spot. Jason (Garrad) was reserve last season but a heat-leader this season before his injury. You could go through the whole team and point out how they’ve progressed since last season and this league is all about rider development.

“It’s fair to say that Leicester are highly likely to succeed us as WSRA National League  champions. But we’d love to become the first team to defeat them this season and spoil their 100 per cent record, while the aggregate bonus point is also certainly not out of our grasp.

“As usual, we won’t place any pressure on our riders at this level. We just want them enjoy their afternoon, and if by the end of it, we’ve delayed Leicester becoming league champions, that’s a big bonus.

“Any clash between our two sides at National League level is always a top encounter and I’m sure there will be an exciting 15 heats of action.”

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of just £12 for all adults, which increases to £14 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.

There will be no Unipart car parking or shuttle bus available. The good news is that supporters can park at the stadium. All parking will be onsite from 12.30pm. There will be plenty of parking available.

Teams:

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales: Luke Killeen (C), Jacob Clouting, Connor Coles (G), Ashton Vale, Jody Scott, Senna Summers, Declan Killeen.

Leicester Lion Cubs: Joe Thompson (C), Sonny Springer, Tom Spencer, Vinnie Foord R/R, Luke Crang, Max James, Arran Butcher.

(PHOTO by Steve Edmunds)