PREVIEW: Key battle for Chargers in Scotland

LEAGUE leaders Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs can close in on the WSRA National League championship with a positive result in their penultimate meeting of the season at Edinburgh’s Armadale Stadium tonight (Friday, 7pm).

This evening’s action in Scotland is a double-header featuring the top three teams in the WSRA National League, since Edinburgh Monarchs Academy also ride Leicester Lion Cubs in a second meeting that will follow the conclusion of Chargers’ meeting. The evening will have a significant outcome on the destination of this year’s league title.

Chargers are currently on 16 points, while both their rivals are on 12 points, four points behind and each with a match in hand. It is currently within Chargers’ own hands to win the title.

It’s not necessarily a must-win meeting for Chargers, although, of course, victory would be very welcome. As long as they pick up the aggregate bonus point – Chargers lead by 61-29 from the meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on May 25 – and Leicester don’t win the second clash, Oxford would remain in charge of the title fight. Chargers could then clinch the NL title for the second time in three seasons with victory in their final match at Middlesbrough, which is now confirmed as taking place in Teesside on Saturday, September 27 at 3pm.

Chargers will be going into action at Edinburgh without skipper Jody Scott, who is due to be riding for his Cab Direct Championship club Redcar at Glasgow on the same evening.  They will also be missing Max Broadhurst (ruled out for the rest of the season with a hand injury) and Jacob Clouting (due to the birth of his daughter).

Cooper Rushen and Harry Fletcher will guest for Scott and Broadhurst respectively. Chargers were due to utilise rider replacement for Clouting, but he has not been granted compassionate leave by the Speedway Control Bureau and Chargers will use the unattached Kieran Douglas instead.

Edinburgh Academy have signed Luke Crang in place of the retired Matt Marson, while Luke Harris guests for Mark Parker, another rider who has quit speedway. Academy were due to use Vinnie Foord as a guest for the injured Sam McGurk, but it appears that McGurk is now back riding this weekend. The final identity of Edinburgh’s No 5 has yet to be confirmed.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m so proud of the progress of the Chargers this season – they have been a shining light this season.

“As usual, we will place no pressure on the lads at this level. We just want them to enjoy themselves while developing as speedway riders. I know that the lads will want a positive result, and we’ll see where that leaves us by the end of the evening.”

Teams:

Edinburgh Monarchs Academy: Dayle Wood, Luke Crang, Connor Coles, Jordy Loftus, Sam McGurk (TBC), Luke Harris (G), Lee Harrison.

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs: Cooper Rushen (G), Kieran Douglas (G), Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Arran Butcher, Harry Fletcher (G).

PHOTO by Steve Edmunds