REPORT: Chargers end unbeaten run of Leicester Lion Cubs in thrilling meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

LED by an imperious full maximum from skipper Jody Scott, Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers recovered from eight points behind to beat the previously unbeaten Leicester Lion Cubs by 47-43 in a last-heat decider in the WSRA National League at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

Oxford entered the decisive Heat 15 two points in front. Scott and Darryl Ritchings flew from the tapes for Chargers, but Freddy Hodder quickly powered past Ritchings. Hodder briefly moved inside Scott on the fourth bend, but Scott cut back to the inside and roared back past as the first lap was completed. Scott then held sway up front, while third-placed Ritchings kept Ryan Ingram pegged to the back.

It concluded a highly entertaining afternoon of speedway between the two sides who have won the last four NL titles between them since 2022. Chargers are unlikely to extend that sequence this season, while it was a major blow to the title hopes of Leicester, although Lion Cubs did pick up a consolation aggregate bonus point, since they defeated Chargers by 56-34 in the corresponding clash in the East Midlands on July 12.

The meeting was billed to be a possible classic and did not disappoint. Early on, the sides traded 5-1s. Scott and Senna Summers – on his return from injury – put Chargers ahead with a 5-1 in Heat 1. But Leicester then took three successive 5-1s of their own to move eight points ahead at 16-8.

Chargers hit back with a 5-1 from Harry Fletcher and Ashton Vale in Heat 5 and then followed it with a 4-2 from Scott and Summers in Heat 6, to reduce the gap to two points.

After a trio of shared races, Scott and Summers put Chargers in front at 31-29 with a 5-1 in Heat 10, with Summers just fending off Ingram in a very tight finish for second place.

Ritchings won Heat 11, while 16-year-old Fletcher produced a great ride to lead Championship rider Ingram all the way home in Heat 12.

Heat 13 was halted after Hodder fell on the first turn. Referee Dave Watters decided to give him another chance in the re-run. Scott made the trap, while Ritchings found himself pegged to the back by Hodder and Ben Morley. Ritchings looked quicker than Morley and switched lines to roar inside his opponent down the back straight of lap three. With clear daylight between them, Morley came down on the following bend and the race was awarded as a 4-2 to Chargers, as they extended their lead to four points.

In Heat 14, Vale made a good getaway from the tricky outside gate, and slotted into second place, behind Ingram, but crucially ahead of Leicester’s trump-card reserve Seth Norman. That meant Chargers entered Heat 15 with their noses in front.

Oxford’s victory over a powerful Leicester line-up was all the more notable, since it was achieved despite Chargers’ two reserves scoring just a point behind them. Unattached 15-year-old Emerson Betty put in maximum effort, but his afternoon was littered with falls, while Max Broadhurst had machinery issues.

But Chargers’ top five all scored well. In addition, to Scott’s flawless 15-point-maximum, Ritchings scored 9, the returning Summers 8+2, and both Fletcher and Vale 7+1.

For Leicester, it was no surprise that Hodder led the way with 15 points. Hodder scored a 10+2 paid maximum for Glasgow in a Cab Direct Championship clash at Cowley earlier this season. But yesterday he found his match in Chargers’ skipper Scott, who defeated him three times.

Senna Summers as awarded Rider Of The Afternoon. He scored 8+2 on his return from injury and was only defeated by Hodder in Heat 6, and said: “It was an enjoyable day. It was probably around 10 degrees too hot. The track was drying out quickly, and we were drying out even quicker and we were getting pretty worn out.

“But we had a job that we needed to do and we did it. We knew it was going to be hard – Leicester have five riders who are either in the Championship or have been in that league, and they are strong all the way down to reserve. We’ve done well to beat them.

“For me, today was about making some starts and getting back into the groove on my bike. It all went well for me.

“It’s great to be back with the Chargers, because it is a lot of fun riding with these lads. It’s such a great atmosphere within the team. We want to keep on winning and see where it takes us.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium will be advised in due course. Real Mini Company Chargers have two other home meetings left – against Edinburgh Monarchs Academy and Buxton Bulls. These meetings are likely to be held within September. For the latest news, please keep an eye out on Oxford Speedway’s social media channels plus the official website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers 47: Jody Scott 15, Senna Summers 8+2, Harry Fletcher 7+1, Ashton Vale 7+1, Darryl Ritchings 9, Emerson Betty 1, Max Broadhurst 0.

Leicester Lion Cubs 43: Ben Morley 4, Tom Spencer 5+1, Max Perry R/R, Ryan Ingram 9+2, Freddy Hodder 15, Eli Meadows 3+2, Seth Norman 7+2.

PHOTO: Jody Scott and Darryl Ritchings after trapping in Heat 15 (pic: Steve Edmunds)