REPORT: Spires bow out with defeat to Leicester

OXS Oxford Spires completed their 2024 fixtures with a 40-50 home defeat to in-form Leicester Lions in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at Oxford Stadium last night (Thursday).

It was only Spires’ second defeat in 12 home meetings, with a final record at Sandy Lane of nine victories, one draw and two losses.

Despite the defeat, Spires finish the season in a respectable fifth place – one place short of qualifying for the play-offs – in Oxford Speedway’s first season back in top flight speedway for 17 years. Sixth-placed King’s Lynn defeated Sheffield last night, but failed to take the aggregate bonus point, and can no longer catch Spires.

Meanwhile, Leicester – now unbeaten in 10 meetings – still have a chance to finish top of the table, with double victory over King’s Lynn by 15 or more race points across two meetings next week.

Lions took charge from the off and led by eight points after just three races at 13-5.

Heat 2 provided a talking point when both Craig Cook and then race leader Luke Killeen fell on the opening turns of the second lap. At first sight, it appeared Cook had hit the back of Killeen, although afterwards Killeen admitted he was not hit and fell independently of his Leicester rival. In the meantime, the Oxford fans were not happy with the decision, since Cook fell first and yet he was allowed in the re-run, which he won.

Charles Wright missed out in Heat 3 – when he was pegged back into third place by Sam Masters – but he hit back to provide Spires’ first heat winner in Heat 5, when he burst around Richard Lawson early in the race and then held off Grand Prix star Max Fricke.

In Heat 6, Rohan Tungate – making his return from injury for Spires after a crash in Poland – and Erik Riss combined for a 5-1 that reduced the deficit to four points.

Wright won a battle with Douglas to win Heat 9, while Maciej Janowski handed a second defeat to Fricke in Heat 11. But the closest that Spires could get to Lions was four points.

Lions extended their lead to six in Heat 12 – despite an usually subdued Chris Harris winning a battle for second place with Cook – before Leicester secured victory by sharing the next two races. The flying Luke Becker and Fricke concluded the meeting with a 5-1 in Heat 15.

Spires’ Achilles Heel last night was providing enough heat winners, just four, with the top five of the visitors simply proved too strong.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “We fell short tonight, but Leicester are a very good team and could easily finish this season as the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions, and there’s no shame in losing to a strong side.

“I was tempted to use a tactical substitute, but I wanted to give all our riders their four rides tonight, in appreciation of their efforts throughout the year.

“The boys have given it their all this season, and I think their efforts in our first season back in the top league is something we can be proud of. There’s been so much entertainment provided by Spires, with so many close home meetings, and tonight we had another healthy crowd. I feel we’ve been in place the building blocks for future seasons and this is the start of an exciting journey.”

With Spires having completed their fixtures and the Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales involved in their final meeting of the season at Scunthorpe tonight, Monarch Oxford Cheetahs will become the focus for the rest of the season, as they target a double in the Cab Direct Championship and Knockout Cup.

The next action at Oxford Stadium is next Wednesday (September 4) at 7.30pm when Cheetahs face Redcar Bears in the first leg of the Cab Direct Knockout Cup semi-final. Tickets are on sale at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

In the meantime, Cheetahs face two away meetings in the next two days at Scunthorpe (Friday) and Plymouth (Saturday). Cheetahs have already qualified for the play-offs, but can consolidate second place in the table and also still have a chance of pipping Poole to top spot.

OXS Oxford Spires 40: Rohan Tungate 9, Erik Riss 5+2, Chris Harris 3, Charles Wright 9, Maciej Janowski 9+1, Ashton Boughen 3+1, Luke Killeen 2+2.

Leicester Lions 50: Max Fricke 12+1, Richard Lawson 6+2, Sam Masters 8+1, Luke Becker 13, Ryan Douglas 6, Craig Cook 4, Sam Hagon 1.

PHOTO: Spires talk to the supporters in the bar following the meeting (Pic: Steve Edmunds)