PREVIEW: Chargers at full strength for important clash

DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales are seeking to maintain their title challenge when they host the Scunthorpe Stags in the WSRA National League at Oxford Stadium on Sunday afternoon (July 14, 3pm).

Chargers sit in second place and have won four out of five meetings in 2024, with a narrow 41-47 loss at league leaders Leicester as their sole defeat. At home, Chargers have collected victories over Edinburgh (51-36), Middlesbrough (55-34) and Belle Vue (49-40), while they have also won away at Edinburgh (45-44).

Scunthorpe and Sheffield have entered a joint team in this season’s WSRA National League. Home fixtures are split with Scunthorpe Stags hosting both Edinburgh and Oxford, and Sheffield Tiger Cubs at home to Middlesbrough, Belle Vue and Leicester. The team will ride in away meetings with the same identity as in the corresponding home meeting, so it is the Stags who line up at Cowley on Sunday afternoon.

Simon Lambert, the skipper of the Scunthorpe Scorpions in the Cab Direct Championship, is the manager of Stags.

Chargers are due to track a full side for the first time this season, with Alex Spooner returning from injury.

Oxford team manager Peter Schroeck said: “We’re happy to be able to track a full team for the first time this season and we’re delighted to have Alex riding for the team. He wants to play his part and he can’t wait to get going.

“I am delighted with the progress that the team is making this year, both with the Chargers in the WSRA National League and in the league above in the Cab Direct Championship.

“Luke has excelled for the Oxford Cheetahs, while Jody showed what he can do at that level with Cheetahs a few weeks ago against Workington. Jason now also has a place in the Championship with Glasgow.

“When you look at their side, Scunthorpe will be no pushovers, since their heat-leader trio were all Championship riders until very recently. As usual, there’s no pressure on the Chargers – we just want them to enjoy themselves, continue their progression and have a good meeting. If that all happens, it will bring another victory.”

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

The Oxford management have been running a special promotion for Sunday. If supporters buy two adult tickets, they can receive a third ticket at half price. If they buy three adult tickets, they get a fourth ticket free. The promotion is automatically applied to the basket when booking on the Oxford Speedway website. Supporters are advised to buy as soon as possible, since this offer expires at midnight tonight (Friday, July 12).

Admission is available at the early bird price of just £12 for all adults, which increases to £14 on Race Day. All under-16s go free. A reminder that Oxford Speedway is online ticket sales only – tickets remain on sale on the website until the start-time of the meeting.

In addition, the final of Euro 2024 between England and Spain will be shown in the main complex on Sunday evening at Oxford Stadium, allowing a bumper day of sport for those into both speedway and football.

Teams:

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by SD Timmo Car Sales: Luke Killeen (C), Alex Spooner, Jason Garrad, Ashton Vale, Jody Scott, Jacob Clouting, Senna Summers.

Scunthorpe Stags: Nathan Ablitt, Kean Dicken (C), Mickie Simpson, Ace Pijper, Luke Harrison, Stene Pijper, William Cairns (unattached).

CAR PARKING INFORMATION: This Sunday, there’s no Unipart car parking or shuttle bus available. All parking will be onsite in our bottom car park starting at 12.30pm.

PHOTO: Ashton Vale and Senna Summers (pic: Steve Edmunds)