REPORT: Spires lose out in another thrilling home meeting

BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires were pipped for the second successive home meeting on another night of some top-notch speedway, as reigning champions Belle Vue Aces took a 48-42 victory to move to top spot in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Thursday).

Spires took the meeting all the way to a last-hear decider, although the strength of Aces’ top two of Dan Bewley and Brady Kurtz – both currently in the top four of the World Championship standings – proved too much in the closing stages.

Oxford started with a 5-1 from guest Kyle Howarth and Maciej Janowski in Heat 1, with Kurtz stranded at the back. Bewley also tasted defeat in his opening outing, after an exceptional effort from Spires’ Rising Star Luke Killeen. Bewley eventually moved inside Killeen on the third bend of the final lap, but by then, Rohan Tungate had built up an unassailable lead and Spires took a 4-2 to move 14-10 ahead.

Spires – who packed the minor placings for most of the evening – led for the opening eight races, before Aces edged ahead after two successive 4-2s in Heats 9 and 10.

A very impressive performer was Mitch McDiarmid, who normally rides for the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies in the Cab Direct Championship. He was technically a guest for Spires last night, replacing the injured Peter Kildemand, but the 17-year-old Australian is within the Oxford ranks and put in maximum effort for the club.

McDiarmid battled back past Zach Cook to take third place in Heat 7. But even more impressive was his ride in Heat 11, where he passed Kurtz – the winner of the last two Grand Prix rounds – on the back straight. Kurtz had to aggressively shut the door on the teenager on the fourth bend to beat his teenage rival.

Spires levelled the scores with a 4-2 from Charles Wright and Killeen in Heat 12, with Killeen just missing out in a battle for second place with Aces’ heat-leader Jaimon Lidsey after another stellar effort by Killeen which had the fans on their feet.

Kurtz and Bewley took a 5-1 in Heat 13, before Victor Palovaara repassed Aces’ Tate Zischke in Heat 14 to make sure that the meeting went to the final race.

Bewley and Kurtz streaked away from the start in Heat 15, before a great move by Wright to move inside Kurtz on the second lap. But Aces still secured victory with a 4-2.

Bewley was unbeaten after Heat 4 and scored 13+1. The Great Britain No 1 is the current track record holder at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium and was so quick once in front and simply streaked away.

For Spires, Wright top-scored on 10+1, while guest Howarth was good value on 8+1. Many of the biggest cheers on the night went to reserve pairing McDiarmid and Killeen. McDiarmid scored an excellent 6+2 on his first-ever appearance at Premiership level, while Killeen’s 3+1 final tally simply didn’t reflect his efforts.

Mitch McDiarmid said: “I don’t have many words for that. I had an awesome night for my first meeting in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

“It was pretty unbelievable to be in front of Brady Kurtz for a lap. The starts aren’t normally my strongest area, but I made a decent one in that race and got myself in the right position. I led him until the end of the first lap, and it’s pretty cool to be in front of my idol.

“I approached tonight like I would every week and hoped for a similar outcome. It was another night of learning for me and more experience under my belt.

“Belle Vue have a very strong team. We’ve got a decent team too and we gave them a tough time and it was a good night of speedway.

“Next week, I’m back riding for the Cheetahs. We had a decent victory last night out [against Berwick] and we want to keep the momentum going.”

Spires in back at action at Birmingham on Monday evening (July 21). With thanks to Chalfont Coaches, Oxford fans can attend at a special price. The coach will leave BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium at 4pm and return straight after the meeting. Supporters will be able to park their car at the stadium. Including adult admission and the coach, it will cost £33 per adult. For Under-16s, it is just £5 for both the coach and admission, as long as they are accompanied by a paying adult. Bookings can be made at : https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/89386

The next action at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies host Plymouth Gladiators in the Cab Direct Championship next Wednesday (July 23) at 7.30pm. The meeting is highly anticipated, since it features the return of former Cheetahs’ skipper Scott Nicholls to Sandy Lane, after missing nine months due to a shoulder injury. Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

BetGoodwin Oxford Spires 42: Maciej Janowski 5+1, Kyle Howarth 8+1, Charles Wright 10+1, Victor Palovaara 3+1, Rohan Tungate 7, Mitch McDiarmid 6+2, Luke Killeen 3+1.

Belle Vue Aces 48: Brady Kurtz 10, Paco Castagna 5, Jaimon Lidsey 9, Zach Cook 6, Dan Bewley 13+1, Tate Zischke 4, Jake Mulford 1.

PHOTO: Rohan Tungate and Mitch McDiarmid get the initial drop on Brady Kurtz in Heat 11 (pic: Steve Edmunds)