PREVIEW: Oxford Cheetahs out to end Poole Pirates’ unbeaten run in massive clash on Friday evening at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs want to become the first side this season to defeat reigning champions Poole Pirates in the Cab Direct Championship at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Friday evening (July 31) at 7.30pm.

Poole registered a massive 60-30 home win over Berwick Bandits on the South Coast on Wednesday night, and have now won six of their seven league matches, while drawing the seventh at Scunthorpe.

Pirates have experienced defeat in the other competitions, including elimination from the MAXiCab Knockout Cup at the hands of Berwick, while Oxford registered a 51-39 over Poole in a BSN Series qualifier at Cowley on April 15.

Cheetahs’ form around Sandy Lane this year has carried them take seven home wins out of nine in all competitions, including three successive victories in their last three home matches.

It’s the second of two successive Friday night fixtures at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium and almost bound to draw a bumper crowd, since the two clubs have a keen rivalry that dates all the way back to 1949. Accompanied children will be free, as they are throughout the season at Oxford Speedway.

Both Mitch McDiarmid (Oxford) and William Cairns (Poole) are missing due to a SGP2 (World Under-21 Championship) round in Lodz, Poland on Friday. Both clubs are set to use rider replacement. In addition, Luke Harrison will guest at reserve for Poole in place of the injured Fraser Bowes – a move that arguably strengthens Pirates.

Cheetahs’ manager Peter Schroeck says: “We will again use rider replacement this week, since Mitch McDiarmid – along with Poole’s William Cairns – is riding in the SGP2 in Poland. There are very limited guests available on Friday night, with six out of nine teams in Cab Direct Championship action.

“It’s not quite the all-conclusive rider replacement when we had last week, but Mitch is now above Edward in the averages, which means Luke can take a ride, along with Ed, Dayle and Darryl.

“When I looked at the two teams and how Poole usually line-up, I’ve stuck with rider replacement at No 5. It enables us to have a strong middle pairing in Anders and Ed, while I feel to beat the Pirates, we need to have firepower in Heats 12 and 14. We’ve got Sam off an inside gate in Heat 13, and the plan is to hold that race and possibly gain heat advantages from 12 and 14, but we’ll see how it works out.

“The situation is the same as last week, when we turned over Berwick. We just need to keep winning. We’re now making a habit of winning at home, it’s a good habit to have, and we intend to keep it going. It’s going to be a tremendous meeting against the Pirates and definitely one not to be missed.”

Oxford Speedway will hold its annual collection for the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund on Friday, the charity that provides funds for both long-and-short-term injured speedway riders. The club urges supporters to give as generously to this most worthy of causes.

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of £21 for all adults, which increases to £23 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 when booking their ticket if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park. Parking at the Unipart car park is now fully restored and the club thank Unipart for their co-operation.

On Race Day, there is now also the chance to buy tickets by cash or card at the box office from 6pm. Please leave enough time for your journey due to local roadworks.

NOTE FOR THOSE TRAVELLING TONIGHT BY CAR: For the majority, parking at Unipart is unaffected by the Watlington Road roadworks. However, season ticket holders with stadium parking, staff, and blue badge holders should note there is likely to be no direct right turn into Sandy Lane from the main road and please adjust your route accordingly – you can still turn left into Sandy Lane. Fortunately, the BMW works are on their summer break, and travel disruption is at a minimum.

Teams:

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters (C), Luke Killeen, Edward Kennett, Anders Rowe, Mitch McDiarmid R/R, Dayle Wood, Darryl Ritchings. Team manager: Peter Schroeck.

Poole Wessex Marine Pirates: Richard Lawson, William Cairns R/R, Lewis Kerr, Cooper Rushen, Zach Cook, Luke Harrison (G), Kyle Newman (C). Team manager: Neil Middleditch.

PHOTO by Les Aubrey