PREVIEW: Spires out to bounce back against Sheffield Tigers
BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires are looking to return to winning ways by defeating Sheffield Tigers in a mouthwatering ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Thursday evening (May 22) at 7.30pm.
Spires started May in style with double victory over Birmingham Brummies, but then lost out at home to Belle Vue last Thursday. Spires are currently in fifth place, one place off the play-off qualification places.
Sheffield were rocked by an injury to treble British World Champion Tai Woffinden on the eve of his British season, but have still started the season impressively and became the first team this season to defeat title favourites Ipswich last week.
Tigers are led by the Holder brothers. Chris Holder was the 2017 World Champion, while Jack Holder won the Polish Grand Prix in Warsaw at the weekend in front of 50,000 fans.
Peter Kildemand rode in his sixth Premiership meeting last Thursday, when he top-scored for Spires with 9+1, and he has gained a new average. He will drop to reserve, while Craig Cook moves up No 2. Spires has also swapped Erik Riss to No 3 and Charles Wright to No 5.
Spires’ manager Peter Schroeck says: “One of the positives from last week was the form shown by Peter Kildemand, leading our scoring last week along with the ever-reliable Charles Wright. Peter will move to reserve against Sheffield, and just like Craig Cook, he has the experience to score well from No 6 and give us that extra strength at reserve.
“As for the meeting against Sheffield, we do need to make up for last week’s defeat to Belle Vue. We’re doing our best to stay positive and a win would lift the spirits of everyone in the Spires’ camp and also get us back on target to making sure we are winning at home.
“I thank our fans for their patience and continued support. There’s a lot we can be proud about at our club, and our supporters are a big part of that. We’d love nothing more than to repay their faith with a victory over Sheffield.”
Tickets are already on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Admission is available at the early bird price of £23 for all adults, which increases to £25 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. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.
There are two meetings at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium this week. The Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs host the Edinburgh Monarchs Academy on Sunday afternoon (May 25) at 3pm and tickets for this meeting are also on sale on the Oxford Speedway website.
Teams:
BetGoodwin Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski (C), Craig Cook, Erik Riss, Rohan Tungate, Charles Wright, Peter Kildemand, Luke Killeen (RS).
Tru7 Group Sheffield Tigers: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering (C), Justin Sedgmen, Chris Holder, Lewis Kerr, Leon Flint (RS).
PHOTO: Charles Wright ahead of Norick Blodorn (pic: Steve Edmunds)