REPORT: Oxford charge to top spot in the WSRA National League
REAL MINI COMPANY Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs moved to the top of the WSRA National League table with a resounding 61-29 victory over previous leaders Edinburgh Monarchs Academy in an entertaining clash at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium yesterday afternoon (Sunday).
A couple of Chargers achieved a notable first. Skipper Jody Scott scored his first-ever full maximum in the NL with an untroubled 15-point full house. Scott’s time in Heat 1 was faster than any winning time registered by either Jack or Chris Holder for Sheffield at Oxford on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Chargers’ reserve Senna Summers scored his first maximum of any description in the WSRA National League with a 10+2 paid maximum.
Summers was involved in the best race of the afternoon in Heat 12 to complete his paid maximum. He stole a march around the outside on the second bend to sweep to the front and then kept a determined challenge from Mark Parker at bay. Parker was still right up with him at the chequered flag, but Summers held on, raising the largest cheer of the day from the Oxford faithful.
Chargers took control of the meeting from Heat 1 with a 5-1 from Scott and Jacob Clouting, with Clouting sailing inside Connor Coles after the Edinburgh skipper drifted wide.
Edinburgh – already using rider replacement – were reduced to just five riders in Heat 3. On the final bend, Academy guest Mickie Simpson lost control and crashed. His team-mate Dayle Wood could not avoid Simpson’s bike and went over the top and landed on the track with a thud. Wood withdrew from the meeting with a wrist injury.
With their skipper Coles enduring a tough afternoon – he fell while leading Heat 5 and also came down in Heat 11 (leading to both Coles and the following Ryan Ingram doing a 360 spin in a bit of synchronised speedway) – it was left to Parker to catch the eye. He raced around Darryl Ritchings on the opening lap of Heat 7, only for the Oxford man to return the compliment on third lap.
Meanwhile, Chargers were soon out of sight. They led 27-9 after six races, and the meeting was in the bag with five races to spare, at which point Chargers were 42-18 in front.
In addition to the maximums by Scott and Summers, both Ritchings (12+1) and Clouting (8+2) only dropped points in one race. Middle pairing Arran Butcher (8+1) and Ashton Vale (7+1) also scored solidly for Chargers.
There was no lack of effort from Max Broadhurst – the most inexperienced Charger – who lost out on an extra point in Heat 14 when he lost his steel shoe while ahead of Lee Harrison.
Simpson was the only visitor to win a race – something he did twice. But as well as the fall in Heat 3, he also suffered from machinery troubles.
Senna Summers, who won Rider Of The Afternoon in addition to his first-ever maximum in British Speedway, said: “I’m really pleased with my riding and to get the maximum. I was making good starts and that is very helpful.
“In my final race, I could hear him [Mark Parker] behind me and then, on the second lap, I could see him and I moved a bit wider to stop him coming past.
“As a whole team, we’re bonding really well and geeing each other up. We were due a good day together and that happened today.
“I really enjoy being part of this club – it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’m around good people with good company. We all get on and it’s great. A big thanks to Jamie and Paula (Courtney). I live just five minutes away from Luke (Killeen) and I’m also just 15 minutes away from the track.”
Skipper Jody Scott said: “That was my first full maximum in this league and I’m absolutely buzzing about it.
“It’s been a great start to the season for the team. We all help each other out, and all check-up with each other on bike set-ups and stuff like that. We’ve bonded together as a team and we’re after the silverware this season.
“It’s been a good start to the season for me. I’ve now got a Championship spot [with Redcar] which was an opportunity that I’ve been after for a while, and I’m just going to keep plugging away.”
The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies take on Scunthorpe Scorpions in their opening meeting at the Cab Direct Champions on Wednesday (May 28) at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs 61: Jody Scott 15 (full maximum), Jacob Clouting 8+2, Arran Butcher 8+1, Ashton Vale 7+1, Darryl Ritchings 12+1, Max Broadhurst 1, Senna Summers 10+2 (paid maximum).
Edinburgh Monarchs Academy 29: Connor Coles 4, Ryan Ingram 3, Matt Marson R/R, Mickie Simpson 8, Dayle Wood 2, Mark Parker 9, Lee Harrison 3+2.
PHOTO: Senna Summers ahead of Mark Parker in Heat 2 (pic: Les Aubrey)