PREVIEW: WSRA National League leaders Oxford Chargers in important clash at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

LEAGUE leaders Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs complete their home fixtures when they host the Steelers in the WSRA National League at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Sunday afternoon (August 24) at 3pm.

It’s the first of two Bank Holiday weekend fixtures at Cowley, since the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires entertain the King’s Lynn Stars in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Bank Holiday Monday (August 25) at 7.30pm.

Chargers go into action without skipper Jody Scott and the injured Arran Butcher. Scott was ill and missed the meeting at Redcar on Friday evening, and is therefore ruled out from returning within seven days. Butcher rode on the Isle Of Wight on Tuesday evening, but was still struggling with his hand, which swelled up, and he withdrew mid-meeting. Oxford bring in Dayle Wood and Jordy Loftus as the guest replacements.

There are no play-offs in the WSRA National League. The team that finishes top of the table are the league champions. Chargers have won six of their seven meetings this season and are currently on 14 points, five ahead of Leicester and Edinburgh on nine points. While Sunday is the final home meeting for Chargers, they have away meetings pending at both Edinburgh and Middlesbrough.

There are various mathematical permutations. But the simplest one is that if Chargers win all three of their remaining meetings, they are NL champions and will regain the title they previously won in 2023.

Steelers – the joint Scunthorpe and Sheffield side – handed Chargers their only defeat of the season, when they won 59-31 at Scunthorpe in June, on a night that Chargers were missing both Scott and Darryl Ritchings and it was difficult to find guest replacements.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “The Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs currently sit at the top of the WSRA National League table and I couldn’t be any more proud.

“Progression is the main aim at this level of speedway, as it should be, and we don’t put any pressure on the lads. But, at the same time, the boys are competitive and they do want to win.

“Of course, I’d love to see the lads win the championship – which would be our second title success in three seasons at this level – but all we can do is take it one meeting at a time, starting the home meeting against the Steelers.

“It’s going to be a tricky fixture, because the Steelers have a decent team. We’re missing Jody and Arran, but we’ve brought in two good guests in Dayle Wood and Jordy Loftus.

“The National League riders really do respond to any encouragement from the crowd. This is Chargers’ final home meeting, and I hope our fans turn up in numbers and give the lads the support that they deserve.”

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of £13 for all adults, which increases to £15 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting. Gates will open at 1pm.

Please note there will be no Unipart car park available for this meeting. On-site parking at the stadium is available for just £2, but it must be purchased at the same time as your online ticket. Any parking passes still apply.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: Jordy Loftus, the planned guest for Arran Butcher, is feeling second hand, after a crash with Max Perry at Edinburgh last night. With a lack of guest options, Arran Butcher will strap up his hand and ride. The Oxford management thank Arran for riding for the Chargers.

Updated teams:

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs: Dayle Wood (G), Senna Summers, Jacob Clouting, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Arran Butcher, Max Broadhurst.

Steelers: Luke Harrison, Mickie Simpson R/R, Harrison Rogers (G), Kenzie Cossey (G), Ben Morley, Luke Harris, Sam Woods.

PHOTO by Steve Edmunds