REPORT: Oxford Chargers off the mark in WSRA National League, after seeing off stern test from King’s Lynn

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers won their first meeting of the 2026 season, with a hard-earned 50-40 victory over the King’s Lynn Young Stars in the WSRA National League at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium yesterday evening (Wednesday).

Chargers went into the meeting, using rider replacement for Senna Summers, who hurt his knee in the British Under-21 Final at Redcar on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Seth Norman stepped in as a guest for Chargers in place of Mason Watson, who has retired.

16-year-old Harry Fletcher turned the meeting in favour of Chargers, with a superb 13+2 tally from the reserve berth, despite sitting a maths exam in the afternoon.

Chargers took the lead with a 4-2 from Fletcher and fellow reserve Max Broadhurst in Heat 2, but Young Stars took a 13-11 lead with a 5-1 from Ollie Binns and Jake Mulford in Heat 4. Chargers’ heat-leader Darryl Rithchings was left on the start-line with a blown engine in Heat 5 and Young Stars doubled their lead.

Chargers’ skipper Jody Scott bounced back from a defeat to veteran Simon Lambert in Heat 1, by winning Heat 6, after passing Mulford on the final turn,

Fletcher then raised the roof with a brilliant ride in Heat 7, passing both Mickie Simpson and Jack Kingston to join Ritchings for a 5-1 that placed Chargers into a 22-20 lead.

Norman led for most of Heat 8, but was passed by Binns on the final lap and then fell trying to hit back, as Young Stars levelled the scores at 24-24.

Scott and Norman led all the way for a 5-1 in Heat 10, as Chargers moved ahead once more. Two shared races followed with Fletcher passing fellow youngster Binns for third place in Heat 11, while Fletcher and Ashton Vale packed the minor placings to ensure a 3-3 in Heat 12.

Scott and Ritchings took a 5-1 in Heat 13, to increase Chargers’ lead to eight. Scott trapped, while Ritchings cut to the inside on the second bend, and they defeated the previously unbeaten Lambert.

Appropriately, Fletcher sealed victory for Oxford by winning Heat 14. A blockbuster Heat 15 finished as a 4-2 for Chargers, as Scott won the race, while Lambert won a thrilling battle for second place with Ritchings.   

Scott (14) and Ritchings (9+1) did the business for Chargers in the closing stages, but in many ways, the night was about two teenage reserves, with Fletcher scoring 13+2 for Chargers and 15-year-old Binns totting up 13 points for Young Stars. In their own personal battle, Fletcher came out on top by 3-1. To compete a good night for the youngest riders on display, Norman’s 5+3 display from No 2 for Chargers was also noteworthy.

16-year-old Harry Fletcher said: “It’s been a busy day. I was in school this morning and then had a maths exam this afternoon. We then drove directly here – I got here around 6pm.

“I had a bad meeting at Redcar on Sunday, so it was great to have a good meeting this evening. The bike wasn’t going on Sunday, so my dad took the bike to our engine tuner to get the problem fixed.

“King’s Lynn have got a tough side and they’ve got a strong rider at reserve in Ollie Binns. I grew up riding with Ollie and we’re mates. In our races tonight, I came out on top 3-1, so I was happy with that.

“Oxford is a great track and there’s great people here, and I enjoyed helping the team to a win.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium is next Wednesday (June 17) at 7.30pm, when the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs take on Glasgow Tigers in Cab Direct Championship action. Tickets will be on sale in due course on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers 50: Jody Scott 14. Seth Norman 5+3, Senna Summers R/R, Ashton Vale 6+2, Darryl Ritchings 9+1, Harry Fletcher 13+2, Max Broadhurst 3.

King’s Lynn Young Stars 40: Simon Lambert 12, Connor King 2, Jack Kingston 0, Mickie Simpson 6+1, Jake Mulford 7+1, Kenzie Cossey 0, Ollie Binns 13.

PHOTO: Harry Fletcher clinching victory for Chargers in Heat 14, ahead of Mickie Simpson (pic: Steve Edmunds)