REPORT: Faultless maximum for Sam Masters, as Cheetahs take convincing victory at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies clobbered the Berwick Bandits by 55-35 in the Cab Direct Championship at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday).

The victory moves Cheetahs up one place to third in the Cab Direct Championship table, while Bandits slip to fourth.

Oxford took control of the meeting after moving into a 14-4 lead after three races and victory was assured with three races remaining. Skipper Sam Masters scored an immaculate full 15-point maximum. But it was a strong all-around team performance from Cheetahs, who only registered two last places in 15 races of action.

Cheetahs were in the box seat from the moment that Jonas Knudsen took advantage of a mistake by Craig Cook to regain second place in Heat 1 and join Masters for a 5-1. They slammed in another maximum in Heat 2 from Francis Gusts and Luke Killeen, after Killeen rounded Dayle Wood for second place.

After six races, Cheetahs were 24-12 ahead. Berwick relied almost exclusively on their heat-leader trio of Craig Cook, Peter Kildemand and Drew Kemp, and tactical substitute Kildemand joined Kemp for a 5-1 in Heat 7, as Bandits closed the gap to eight points.

But Cheetahs soon re-established control, with guest Zach Cook and Mitch McDiarmid coming from behind to take a 4-2 in Heat 9. Masters largely put in a great display of fast starting, but off the outside gate in Heat 10, he flew around everyone on the second bend to join Knudsen for the second 5-1 for the pairing.

Victory was clinched in Heat 12. Zach Cook chopped inside Kemp on the back straight to take the lead. Killeen then performed a ‘wall of death’ coming out of the fourth turn to sweep around Kemp and join Cook for a match-winning 5-1.

An enthralling final race in Heat 15 saw Masters fend off Craig Cook to complete his maximum, while Zach Cook bustled underneath Kildemand for third place. The 20-point-lead puts Cheetahs in full command regarding the aggregate bonus point – the two sides meet in Northumberland on August 2.

Luke Killeen scored 8+2 and said: “Personally, I’ve had a great night and had to work hard for each and every point that I scored. I’ve proven to myself and everyone else that I can still do it.

“I didn’t think I was that close to the fence in my last one, but everyone is talking about my move, so I’m going to watch it back, for sure. Once you’re out in the deep stuff, you’re got to go for it. If you shut off, you just get into trouble. You’ve got to keep the throttle open, keep low and keep the bike turning. It paid off for me and I got past Drew (Kemp) and we got the 5-1 to win the meeting.

“I had a rough patch, but I think it’s coming together for me. I’m still finding my feet in some of the Premiership meetings for Spires, but it’s coming good now.

“We all gave it our all from one-to-seven tonight and we all scored points and we picked up a good win. We’re now third in the league – if we keep chipping away, we can reach those play-offs and then anything is possible.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires take on the Belle Vue Aces in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash next Thursday (July 17) at 7.30pm. 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 55: Sam Masters 15, Jonas Knudsen 6+3, Zach Cook 10, Mitch McDiarmid 6+2, Cameron Heeps 3+2, Francis Gusts 7, Luke Killeen 8+2.

Berwick Bandits 35: Craig Cook 10+1, Sam Hagon 3, Danyon Humer R/R, Drew Kemp 9+1, Peter Kildemand 12, Dayle Wood 1, Jack Smith 0.

PHOTO: Sam Masters fends off Craig Cook in Heat 15 to complete his 15-point maximum (pic: Steve Edmunds)