REPORT: Cheetahs overwhelm Monarchs in closing stages

A FINAL flourish of three 5-1s from Monarch Oxford Cheetahs saw them record a 54-36 victory in the Cab Direct Championship over the Edinburgh Monarchs at Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday).

The Scottish visitors were right in the hunt in the opening stages and led by a couple of points after a 4-2 in Heat 3.

Cheetahs did not take the lead until a 5-1 from Ashton Boughen and Scott Nicholls in Heat 7, with Oxford skipper Nicholls again showing his team-riding skills.

Luke Killeen had previously produced a late overtake on Connor Coles in Heat 4, and Killeen again passed the same opponent in the latter stages in Heat 8, as joined Cameron Heeps for a 4-2 that moved Oxford’s lead to six points.

Monarchs hit back with a 5-1 in Heat 9, after introducing Craig Cook into the race as a tactical substitute. Cook was a late guest replacement for Josh Pickering, who still hasn’t recovered full fitness after a shoulder injury.

Sam Masters and Heeps restored Oxford’s six-point lead with a 5-1 in Heat 10.

Heat 13 looked a tough race, since Cook and Justin Sedgmen had only previously dropped a point between them. But, as on so many past occasions, the dynamic duo of Nicholls and Masters raised their game with a 5-1 that secured victory on the night.

Boughen completed a fine personal display with his third victory on the night in Heat 14, while Jordan Jenkins burst around the outside on the opening lap to join him for a 5-1.

Nicholls produced a brilliant ride in Heat 15. The 46-year-old went wide chasing the dirt and burst through a non-existent gap to round both Cook and Sedgmen after a lap in truly breath-taking fashion and join Masters for another 5-1.

Both Nicholls and Boughen scored 13+1, while Masters (10+3) and Heeps (10+2) joined them on double figures.

Just four days after he scored his best score at Cab Direct Championship level with paid 13 at Workington, 16-year-old Boughen eclipsed that performance with paid 14 at Oxford last night.

Boughen said: “Tonight was another good night for me and everything seems to be coming together now.

“A big thank you to Bomber (Chris Harris) for again helping me out in the pits tonight. The right couple of words in the right place make a big difference and goes a long way. I’m still working out things and learning the whole time.

“Also, thank you to my dad (Brad) and my mechanic Wayne, I wouldn’t be where I was without them.

“We’ve changed little pieces on the bike and I’m making really good starts which helps out a lot in speedway.

“The team rode really well and we build up a nice 18-point lead which puts us in a good position for the aggregate bonus point. I’m really enjoying riding for Oxford Speedway.”

There are two meetings at Oxford Stadium next week. OXS Oxford Spires host the Leicester Lions on Monday (June 3) in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership, while Monarch Oxford Cheetahs are back in action against Scunthorpe Scorpions next Wednesday (June 5) in further Cab Direct Championship action. Tickets are on sale at https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Monarch Oxford Cheetahs 54: Sam Masters 10+3, Cameron Heeps 10+2, Henry Atkins R/R, Jordan Jenkins 5+2, Scott Nicholls 13+1, Ashton Boughen 13+1, Luke Killeen 3+1, Jody Scott (No 8) 0.

Edinburgh Monarch 36: Craig Cook 13+1, Lasse Fredriksen 2, Kye Thomson 8, Paco Castagna 2, Justin Sedgmen 8, Max James 1+1, Connor Coles 2.

PHOTO: Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls on a 5-1 in Heat 15, after Nicholls had surged around the outside of the Edinburgh pair in exciting fashion (pic: Steve Edmunds)