REPORT: Spires go down fighting at Leicester

OXS Oxford Spires’ chances of reaching the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-offs were all but mathematically ended with a 37-53 defeat at Leicester last night (Monday), despite a brave mid-meeting comeback.

The first six races saw Leicester Lions establish an early 12-point lead after back-to-back 5-1s in Heats 5 and 6, despite a 4-2 for Ashton Boughen and Luke Killeen in Heat 2.

Spires’ comeback started with a 4-2 for Charles Wright and Maciej Janowski in Heat 7, with a brief spell of drizzle commencing as the race was completed.

The drizzle returned during Heats 9 and 10. Suddenly, Spires looked the far more comfortable side. Janowski won Heat 9, while skipper Chris Harris fought past Luke Becker into second place to join him for a 5-1.

A second successive 5-1 followed in Heat 10. Janowski and Wright moved either side of Richard Lawson early in the race, while Lions’ No 1 Max Fricke did not challenge, as Spires reduced the deficit to just two points.

Subsequently, the rain eased off again, and Lions again came to the fore, although Janowski stemmed the tide with a superb charge from third to first to win Heat 12.

Lions finished with two 5-1s and a 4-2 and the final 16-point margin slightly flattered them after a competitive meeting. Janowski top scored for Spires with 15 points from seven outings.

Rider replacement for the injured Rohan Tungate scored just two points for Spires and all four races involving a R/R ride ended in a 5-1 for the Lions. Tungate crashed in Poland on Sunday and it is hoped he will be fit to resume his place for Oxford at King’s Lynn on Thursday.

Leicester moved up to second place in the Premiership table while stretching their unbeaten run to nine meetings.

Meanwhile, fifth-place Spires can still reach 31 points, the same figure that Belle Vue Aces are currently on. But Aces have much superior race points difference, and also are almost guaranteed an aggregate bonus point against Ipswich which would place them out of reach of Spires.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “We’ve battled to the end, in terms of trying to qualify for the play-offs. We closed right in at one point when it rained mid-meeting and we took two successive 5-1s, both involving Maciej, who had a fantastic meeting.

“A suitable guest wasn’t available for Rohan, so we had to go with rider replacement. Sometimes that works, but tonight it definitely didn’t. Leicester have been in good form recently and pulled away again at the end of the meeting. The final scoreline was a bit of a kick in the teeth after the boys worked so hard to get back into the meeting.

“Of course, we wanted Spires to reach the play-offs, but we still want to secure fifth place in the table in our final two meetings, which would be a very respectable finish in our first season in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

“Leicester are not newcomers to the league this year, but the promotion is new this season and I wish them well in the play-offs.”

There’s a double dose of action at Oxford Stadium this week. Firstly, the Monarch Oxford Cheetahs – fresh from their triumph at Poole last week – face reigning champions Glasgow Tigers in the Cab Direct Championship tomorrow (Wednesday, August 21).

On Sunday (August 25), defending champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales face league leaders Leicester Lion Cubs in what promises to be a pulsating meeting in the WSRA National League.

Tickets are already on sale for both meetings at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Leicester Lions 53: Max Fricke 13, Richard Lawson 7+2, Sam Masters 7+1, Luke Becker 7, Ryan Douglas 10+2. Craig Cook 8+2, Sam Hagon 1.

OXS Oxford Spires 37: Rohan Tungate R/R, Erik Riss 4, Maciej Janowski 15, Charles Wright 7+2, Chris Harris 6+1, Ashton Boughen 3, Luke Killeen 2+1.

(PHOTO by Steve Edmunds)