REPORT: BetGoodwin Oxford Spires record largest victory since formation

BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires put in a complete team performance to thrash basement club Birmingham Brummies by 62-28 in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Thursday).

The victory was Spires’ largest victory since their formation at the beginning of last season, and also Brummies’ largest defeat since stepping up to the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the same time as Spires.

A close contest looked on the cards in the opening batch of races, with both sides taking a couple of 4-2s and a 12-12 scoreline after four races.

But Spires then powered ahead with a 5-1 from Rohan Tungate and Maciej Janowski in Heat 5. Spires took four successive 5-1 between Heats 7 and 10 and victory was in the bag by the interval stage.

Spires also finished with a hat-trick of 5-1s in Heats 13 to 15, and only dropped five points across the last 11 races.

Despite the lop-sided scoreline, there was plenty of great racing on display, as track staff produced a cracking race-track, despite the recent spell of hot weather.

Janowski just won Heat 3, after surging around Keynan Rew in a finish so tight that referee Christina Turnbull needed to check transponder times before issuing the result.

In Heat 14, Brummies held a 4-2 from the start, but Peter Kildemand overtook Rew, and then Tungate moved from fourth to second, including pipping Rew in another tight finish, as the Spires’ duo came through for a 5-1.

In the concluding Heat 15, Tungate again showed his liking of the outside line to sweep around impressive visitor Paco Castagna on the opening lap, to join Erik Riss for a 5-1.

Skipper Janowski (11+1) took a paid maximum, his first in a completed meeting for Spires, while Riss scored 11+3 in another good personal home display. Tungate scored 11+2, and was involved in four 5-1s and a 4-2.

But it was a complete team performance from Spires, with every home rider winning at least one race during the evening, including an impressive victory for Rising Star Luke Killeen in Heat 8 – only his second heat win at Premiership level. Both Kildemand and No 1 Charles Wright only dropped points in one outing, while there was also a lively performance from guest Dan Thompson, who scored 8+1.

Spires’ skipper Maciej Janowski said: “The whole team clicked tonight. We are all very positive on the track walk before the meeting and we had a good night and it was great to watch.

“I was feeling good on the bike tonight – I felt I had plenty of speed. My first ride gave me the right energy. I was off gate four in that one, but I could feel the bike was responding to my moves and it was quick and it was pulling me forward and I got through on the line and won the race.

“Speedway is a difficult sport, but tonight we got together the spirit and we want to keep it going and fight for more. We want a positive second half of the season – the fans deserve it, and we also want to do it for everyone else involved with the club. We want to put on the best show – that’s what it’s all about.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs entertain the Leicester Lion Cubs in the WSRA National League on Sunday (June 29). Please note the different from usual start-time of 6.30pm, since the Chargers are also away at Leicester at noon in the reverse fixture.

Next Wednesday (July 2), the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies host the Workington Comets in the Cab Direct Championship at 7.30pm.

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

Beyond that, there is a new date for Cheetahs’ home meeting with Berwick Bandits, which has been brought forward by three days and will now take place on Wednesday, July 9 at 7.30pm. There are two meetings at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium that week, since Spires are also in action, at home to Ipswich Witches on Monday, July 7 (also at 7.30pm).

BetGoodwin Oxford Spires 62: Charles Wright 8+1, Dan Thompson 8+1, Maciej Janowski 11+1, Rohan Tungate 11+2, Erik Riss 11+3, Peter Kildemand 9, Luke Killeen 4.

Birmingham Brummies 28: Tobiasz Musielak 4+1, Paco Castagna 8, Jonas Jeppesen 0, Keynan Rew 5, Matej Zagar 3, Ben Barker 7+1, Sam Hagon 1.

PHOTO: Wheelies from Erik Riss and Rohan Tungate following their concluding 5-1 in Heat 15 (pic: Steve Edmunds)