REPORT: Oxford Chargers commence season with narrow loss to Middlesbrough Tigers

DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers started their WSRA National League campaign when they were edged out 48-42 by impressive visitors Middlesbrough Tigers at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

Chargers looked a little rusty, while Middlesbrough were, in general, sharper out of the starting tapes.

An action-packed Heat 1 saw Chargers’ skipper Jody Scott as the initial leader, but he was overtaken by Ace Pijper towards the end of the opening lap. Meanwhile, Mason Watson re-passed Kai Ward for third place with a move to the final lap, as the race was shared 3-3.

Middlesbrough took the lead with a 5-1 in Heat 2, but Chargers levelled the scores with a 5-1 from Senna Summers and Ashton Vale in Heat 3. Tigers pulled ahead with four successive 4-2s between Heats 6 and 9 to move 31-23 ahead.

Darryl Ritchings – fresh his exploits with the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs – handed Pijper his only defeat of the evening in Heat 11 as Chargers pulled back a 4-2.

Middlesbrough could have clinched the meeting with a 5-1 in Heat 13, but Scott bustled under Nathan Ablitt for second place on the third lap. 16-year-old Harry Fletcher – making his debut for Chargers – won Heat 14 in fine style, but a rider more than 20 years his senior, Jade Mudgway, fended off Vale for second place to clinch victory for the visitors.

Scott top-scored for Chargers on 10+1, while Ritchings collected 10, and both Summers and Vale scored 7+1. Fletcher picked up a notable seven points.

Pijper scored 14 points for Tigers, who had two lively youngsters at reserve in Harry Sadler (7) and Charlie Southwick (6+2).

The return clash takes place at Redcar’s ECCO Arena on Friday evening.

16-year-old Harry Fletcher said: “I was struggling with my set-up at the start of the meeting, but we found it towards the end. It was nice to get clear in Heat 14 and have a little fresh air out in front. Winning my last ride gave me a good confidence boost ahead of the meeting at Redcar on Friday.

“Oxford is a great place to come to. The track’s great and we’ve got great people around us. There’s a good relationship between the whole team and we all talk to each other.

“I’ve ridden at Redcar quite a few times in the British Youth Championship and other meetings. Today was only our first meeting and a few of us haven’t had the track time, but we’ll go up to Redcar on Friday and have a go at winning that meeting.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all my sponsors for all their help.”

The next scheduled meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium is on Wednesday, May 13, when the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs take on Edinburgh Monarchs at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium. Tickets will be on sale in due course on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Before that, Cheetahs will be in action in a decisive BSN Series encounter at Poole on Wednesday evening (April 29). Please note there is currently a reserved date for Cheetahs at Oxford on May 6, and there may be a home meeting on this date.

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers 42: Jody Scott 10+1. Mason Watson 1+1, Senna Summers 7+1, Ashton Vale 7+1, Darryl Ritchings 10, Harry Fletcher 7, Max Broadhurst 0.

Middlesbrough Tigers 48: Ace Pijper 14, Kai Ward 1, Stene Pijper 5+2, Jade Mudgway 6, Nathan Ablitt 9, Harry Salder 7, Charlie Southwick 6+2.

PHOTO: New signing Harry Fletcher (pic: Ian Wagstaff)