REPORT: Cheetahs out of luck in final regular league fixture

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies lost out by 43-46 in a last-heat decider to arch rivals Poole Pirates at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium, in their concluding Cab Direct Championship fixture last night (Wednesday).

Cheetahs hauled themselves from seven points behind to move into the lead at 39-38, after a perfect Heat 13 from skipper Sam Masters and Cameron Heeps that saw Heeps clear Poole’s Richard Lawson on the second bend, with Masters then dropping behind his team-mate and blocking Lawson to ensure the 5-1.

But Pirates moved back ahead with a 5-1 of their own in Heat 14. That left Masters and Heeps needing to repeat their magic from two heats earlier in Heat 15. But this time around, Lawson pushed Heeps wide on the second bend, and Lawson and Zach Cook filled the minor placings behind Masters to clinch victory.

Cheetahs lost Jordan Jenkins with an injury to his abdomen in Heat 12. In an exciting opening lap, both Jonas Knudsen and Jenkins swept around Lewis Kerr to briefly hold a 5-1. But Jenkins then spun around and fell at the start of the second lap, with both Pirates coming down as well. Knudsen rode well to win the re-run.

Jacob Hook was a decent guest, in place of the suspended Francis Gusts, and his 5-1 with Masters in Heat 10 hauled Cheetahs back into the meeting. Luke Killeen had another good meeting for Cheetahs and he won Heat 2 and also led Lawson for the first half of Heat 11.

Cheetahs’ manager Peter Schroeck said: “Jordan Jenkins took a nasty knock to his abdomen. His oxygen levels were low, so the medics were concerned about it and took him to hospital, and we wish him well – Jordan has been in the wars this season.

“We got back in the meeting tonight and took it all the way to a last-heat decider. But one or two things went against us on the night and that cost us. It was a decent meeting, but it just didn’t go our way.

“Cheetahs are still involved in a couple of the cup competitions, so our season isn’t over quite yet and we’re still chasing silverware. But now our league meetings in the Cab Direct Championship are concluded, so can start planning for next season, when we intend to be come back stronger.”

In last night’s second half, Poole Academy beat Oxford Academy by 18-11. The meeting was curtailed by one race, following an accident involving Oxford mascots Fraser Buckle and Rex Austin in Heat 6 and Oxford Speedway sends its best wishes to both youngsters.

Cheetahs now have dates for the home legs for their two semi-finals. They host Redcar Bears at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday, September 10 (7.30pm) in the first leg of the semi-final of the MAXiCab Knockout Cup. The second leg is up in Teesside on Friday, September 26. Meanwhile, Cheetahs face Poole in the second leg of the BSN Series at Cowley on Wednesday, September 17 (also 7.30pm).

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees league leaders Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs entertain Steelers – the joint Scunthorpe and Sheffield side – in the WSRA National League on Sunday afternoon (August 24) at 3pm.  

It is the first of two home meetings in successive days, since the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires then host King’s Lynn Stars at Sandy Lane in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Bank Holiday Monday (August 25) at 7.30pm.

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

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies 43: Sam Masters 15+2, Jacob Hook 5+2, Jordan Jenkins 2, Mitch McDiarmid 1, Cameron Heeps 6+1, Luke Killeen 8, Jonas Knudsen 6+1.

Poole Pirates 46: Richard Lawson 12, Tobias Thomsen R/R, Lewis Kerr 7+2, Zach Cook 10+2, Anders Rowe 7, Paul Starke 8+2, William Cairns 2.

PHOTO: Sam Masters and Cameron Heeps place Cheetahs one point in front with a 5-1 in Heat 13 (Image: Steve Edmunds)