REPORT: Dayle Wood stars, as Cheetahs defeat arch-rivals at BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs kick-started their BSN Series campaign with an excellent 51-39 victory over the Poole Pirates at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday).

It was a perfect response to a defeat at Plymouth on Saturday evening, and leaves Cheetahs with their fate in their own hands in the Southern Section of the BSN Series. Cheetahs’ next fixture in the competition is at home to Plymouth next Wednesday (April 22).

Although Cheetahs won away at Poole last May, this was their first home victory over Pirates since the same scoreline – 51-39 – in the first leg of the 2024 Cab Direct Championship Grand Final in October 2024. Since then Pirates had recorded three wins and one draw at Sandy Lane, before last night brought that run to a crashing halt.

Cheetahs’ hero was reserve Dayle Wood. The Australian was unbeaten in his opening four outings and scored 10+2. Wood defeated Pirates’ heat-leaders Zach Cook (Heat 4) and Lewis Kerr (Heat 10).

Skipper Sam Masters dropped a single point and collected 14 points for Oxford.

Cheetahs quickly took command with a 5-1 from Masters and Luke Killeen – one day before his 21st birthday – in Heat 1, while Wood fended off 16-year-old wonderkid Cooper Rushen to win Heat 2.

Mitch McDiarmid burst around ex-Cheetah Kerr in Heat 3, while Anders Rowe overtook Fraser Bowes for third, as Cheetahs posted a 4-2.

McDiarmid again burst around the outside in Heat 5, to collect a 5-1 with Rowe, as the pair left Pirates’ No 1 Lawson in their wake.

Wood produced the perfect ride in Heat 8, settling behind team-mate Killeen while blocking out the Poole pair, as Cheetahs moved 14 points in front at 31-17.

After a switch of machine, Killeen just failed to beat the two-minute clock in Heat 10. But Wood came into the race in his place and joined Masters for a 5-1, as Cheetahs headed into the interval 39-21 ahead.

Poole hit back with a 5-1 after Cook came into Heat 11 as a tactical substitute and joined Lawson for a 5-1, while victory was in the bag for Cheetahs after Rowe won Heat 12.

Cheetahs were denied a 5-1 in Heat 14, when McDiarmid pulled out with an ignition problem. But Darryl Ritchings won the race in style, as all six regular Cheetahs won at least one race on the night.

Masters completed the night by winning Heat 15 and avenging his only defeat – to Lawson in Heat 13.

Cheetahs headed into the meeting without Erik Riss, who was missing with a virus. Edinburgh’s Justin Sedgmen guested in his place and scored three points. Arguably Riss – who scored 13 in the opening challenge match against Coventry – would have scored far more.

Dayle Wood collected his highest score at Cab Direct Championship level with 10+2 and said: “That’s something I’ve been waiting for a long time and it shows on my day that I can beat anyone.

“It’s the best I’ve scored at this level and I’m very happy with that. I’m going to build on it and keep working hard and take it from there.

“Tonight was one of those nights when everything was working well. We didn’t change a thing on my bike – I just went out there and enjoyed riding it. Speedway becomes easy when it’s like that.

“I love riding for Oxford. There’s no pressure from the management and all the boys are so good and happy to help out. The track is awesome and the fans are great. I can’t fault it in any way.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs at home to Plymouth Gladiators in the BSN Series next Wednesday (April 22). Tickets from the original planned staging on April 8 will be transferred over to this new date. Tickets will be on sale in due course at the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs 51: Sam Masters 14, Luke Killeen 5+1, Anders Rowe 9, Mitch McDiarmid 6+2, Justin Sedgmen (guest) 3, Daryl Ritchings 4+1, Dayle Wood 10+2.

Poole Pirates 39: Richard Lawson 8+1, Kyle Newman 1, Lewis Kerr 7, Fraser Bowes 2+1, Zach Cook 11+2, William Cairns 3+3, Cooper Rushen 7.

PHOTO: Sam Masters and Dayle Wood take a 5-1 over Lewis Kerr and Fraser Bowes in Heat 10 (pic: Steve Edmunds)