REPORT: Chargers put up a fight in tough clash at league leaders
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers came away from Scotland with their pride intact, although it was unbeaten league leaders Edinburgh Monarchs Academy who took a 51-39 home victory in the WSRA National League at Armadale last night (Friday).
Edinburgh have put together a power packed side and are favourites to succeed Chargers as league champions this season. Monarchs Academy had won their previous home meetings by 57-33 and 55-35, and even more impressively, have scored at least 53 points in three away victories.
But they didn’t have it all their own way against a determined Oxford side, who were weakened by the late withdrawal of Darryl Ritchings, who has been called up to ride for Great Britain in a World Longtrack event this weekend. Ritchings is fourth in Chargers’ averages and therefore the rider replacement facility for him was restricted.
Monarchs Academy moved 15-9 after four races, despite Chargers’ 15-year-old unattached rider Casper Kluczniak winning his first-ever race at NL level in Heat 2.
Chargers bounced back with a 5-1 from skipper Jody Scott and Senna Summers in Heat 5, with the latter fending off a challenge from Jamie Halder. Ashton Vale took a notable victory over Ben Whalley and Edinburgh No 1 Jordy Loftus in Heat 6, while Summers won Heat 8 as the gap remained at two points.
Monarchs Academy took firm control of the meeting two successive 5-1s in Heats 9 and 10 to open a 10-point gap.
In the concluding five races, Scott twice won by a move on the inside of the third bend – passing the previously unbeaten Dayle Wood in Heat 11 and then repeating the move on Jordy Lofus in Heat 15. He dropped his only point to Jordy Loftus in Heat 1 – a race in which Scott was initially fourth and came through to second – but then twice defeated Loftus in the closing stagings of the meeting.
Scott also defeated Anika Loftus – his girlfriend – in Heat 5. The elder Loftus sibling finished second in Heat 2, after she fended off Max Broadhurst for second place.
Vale scored 10 points for Chargers and fully deserved his place in Heat 15. Both Summers (5+1) and Harry Fletcher (4+1) had their moments against very tough opposition.
Kluczniak gave his all in six rides and scored four points for Chargers. His suffered a couple of falls, but he continued to attack the tight Armadale track and put in maximum effort in every race.
Ashton Vale said: “I’m happy to score 10 points – I haven’t scored that many points around here before.
“It’s such fine lines around here with the set-up. I changed my carb prior to Heat 6 and flew out in that one and beat Ben Whalley and Jordy Loftus, so that was a good race to win.
“Later on, I was making more changes, but I then felt was going backwards. By Heat 15, we’d gone back to the previous set-up but I didn’t feel I had the speed in that to catch the super-fast boys in that race. But overall, I was definitely happy with my night.
“We did well tonight, because Edinburgh are such a strong team and they are completely dialled into this track.
“I’ve had a wicked time riding for the Chargers this season. We’d had a few injuries and a few problems, but we enjoy racing together and it’s all building up nicely.
“I’ve been living and breathing speedway recently. I’ve been helping out Luke Harrison and Vinnie Foord, and also Dan Gilkes, and it’s changed me. Spending more time around other riders, you see what they’re doing and learn more about it, so it’s definitely going to benefit me, building up both my knowledge and my confidence.”
The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium will be advised in due course. Real Mini Company Chargers have home meetings left – against Edinburgh Monarchs Academy and Buxton Bulls. For the latest news, please keep an eye out on Oxford Speedway’s social media channels plus the official website at https://oxfordspeedway.club/
Edinburgh Monarchs Academy 51: Jordy Loftus 11+1, Ben Whalley 8+1, James Shanes R/R, Vinnie Foord 12+2, Dayle Wood 11, Anika Loftus 2, Jamie Halder 7+3, Rocco Webb (No 8) DNR.
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers 39: Jody Scott 14, Senna Summers 5+1, Harry Fletcher 4+1, Ashton Vale 10, Darryl Ritchings R/R, Casper Kluczniak 4, Max Broadhurst 2.
PHOTO by Steve Edmunds