REPORT: Cheetahs move back into top four with a key victory over Plymouth Gladiators at BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies took a fighting 47-43 victory over the Plymouth Gladiators in the Cab Direct Championship at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday).

The victory moves Cheetahs up one place into fourth – the position they need to retain to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.

It looked a potentially tricky fixture for an Oxford team missing several riders, while Plymouth have been strengthened by the recent addition of former Cheetahs’ skipper Scott Nicholls following his return from injury.

But depleted Cheetahs showed resilience and led throughout the night – starting with a 5-1 from skipper Sam Masters and Jonas Knudsen over Nicholls in Heat 1.

There was some exciting racing on display, such as in Heat 4, when Cameron Heeps stole third place on the line from Alfie Bowtell in a finish so tight it was impossible to judge with the naked eye, with the issue settled by transponder times.

Gladiators placed Nicolai Klindt into Heat 5 as a tactical substitute and they reduced the deficit to two points with a 5-1. That gap remained until Knudsen and Luke Killeen burst through on the opening lap of Heat 8, as Cheetahs took a 5-1.

The key to Cheetahs’ victory was a hat-trick of 4-2s between Heats 10 to 12, including a notable victory for Heeps over old team-mate Nicholls in Heat 11. Heeps had previously swept around Joe Thompson to win Heat 7. Guest Jason Edwards won his second race in Heat 12, while Luke Killeen took third after charging around Bowtell on the first lap.

It was just as well Cheetahs were already on the brink of victory with a 12-point lead, since the final races including some bizarre refereeing. Firstly, Masters was excluded for a second bend fall in Heat 13, after a coming together with Nicholls. There was no malice between the two former team-mates, and Nicholls raised his hand to apologise for the incident, something everyone in the stadium seemed to spot with the exception of the referee. With Masters out, Klindt and Nicholls took a 5-1 in the re-run.

Killeen clinched victory for Cheetahs with a second place in Heat 14. He worked hard to move inside race leader Joe Thompson on the third lap, but then found himself in difficulties on the exit of the bend and had to settle for second.

Heat 15 ended the evening in somewhat farcical fashion, after both Heeps and Klindt were excluded for starting infringements – Heeps for exceeding the two minutes and Klindt for delaying the start – despite both being at the tapes. After a delay of a few minutes while the mess was resolved, both Heeps and Klindt – the latter looking to a complete an 18-point full maximum – were placed back into the race off a 15-metre handicap. Klindt got away with an obvious jumped started from his handicap, while Nicholls headed home Masters, as Gladiators finished the evening with a 4-2.

All four of Cheetahs’ regular riders scored at least paid nine. With the side using rider replacement for the injured Mitch McDiarmid, Killeen was busy and top-scored for Cheetahs with 11+1 from seven rides. Edwards proved a useful guest with 8+1, while Oxford Charger Darryl Ritchings was on the pace throughout and scored 2+1.

Top-scorer Luke Killeen said: “I’m happy with my night. I didn’t win a race, but I scored consistent points throughout the night and that helped us win. I was flat out tonight and took seven rides, but that’s what happens when you’re riding a reserve and doing well – I have no complaints about being busy.

“I would have loved to have won Heat 14, after doing a lot of hard work in that race, but it was nice to get the points that got us over the line.

“It’s tough when we’re using guests and rider replacement, but at the same time, we came together as a side tonight and made sure we took the win.

“I’ve got no fears about going Plymouth on Saturday in the return fixture. It’s where I first rode in British Speedway and scored a lot of points that night. I’ve had some tougher meetings in the Championship since then, but I then won the British Under-21 Championship semi-final down there earlier this season. I feel it’s all coming together for me and I’m after another good night at Plymouth.”

During last night, it was announced that stylish Swede Victor Palovaara will replace Craig Cook for the rest of the season for BetGoodwin Oxford Spires in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees league leaders Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs host the Belle Vue Colts on Sunday afternoon (July 27) at 3pm. Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies 47: Sam Masters 9+1, Jonas Knudsen 9+1, Mitch McDiarmid R/R, Jason Edwards 8+1, Cameron Heeps 8+1, Darryl Ritchings 2+1, Luke Killeen 11+1.

Plymouth Gladiators 43: Scott Nicholls 10+2, Zaine Kennedy 1, Ben Barker 7+1, Joe Thompson 5, Nicolai Klindt 16, Alfie Bowtell 4, Max Perry 0.

PHOTO: First blood, as Sam Masters and Jonas Knudsen take a 5-1 over Scott Nicholls in Heat 1 (pic: Steve Edmunds)