REPORT: Sam Masters again unbeaten, as Cheetahs complete double over Plymouth

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies returned to the top of the Southern Group of the BSN Series, with a 50-40 victory over Plymouth Gladiators in an absorbing contest at BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday),

Track staff produced a top-notch racetrack, despite the meeting taking place on a balmy final day of April, and riders responded of both sides responded and were involved in some stellar speedway action.

Skipper Sam Masters posted his second successive 15-point full maximum for Cheetahs – defeating Gladiators’ star guest Chris Harris on three separate occasions – and was well supported by the rest of the side.

Jonas Knudsen scored 9+2 and joined Masters for two 5-1s and two 4-2s across the evening. Knudsen held off the challenge of Harris to defeat him in Heat 1, and also gave the former British Grand Prix winner a real battle in the concluding Heat 15.

There was a first-ever victory in British Speedway for Cheetahs’ new Australian signing Mitch McDiarmid in Heat 2. He also fought past Joe Thompson in Heat 7 to join Cameron Heeps for a 5-1.

While Oxford were always in front, the scoreline fluctuated, with Cheetahs taking three 5-1s from the opening trio of races, before Gladiators hit straight back with two 5-1s of their own.

A number of riders took crunching falls during the evening and Heeps suffered a shoulder injury when he crashed down in Heat 13, shortly after coming out on top in a battle for third place with Alfie Bowtell.

Masters’ win in that race clinched victory on the night, and Cheetahs also won the aggregate bonus point, having already won 48-41 at Plymouth. Meanwhile, Heeps was in pain afterwards and will have his shoulder checked out.

Jonas Knudsen said: “I really feel in top form at the moment, and it’s a big step for me to get into Heat 15. I’m really enjoying it and having fun riding speedway.

“Bomber (Chris Harris) was one of my idols growing up. It’s one of the moments of my career to beat him today in Heat 1 and it was really fun having a race with him in Heat 15, even though I finished third in that race.

“I’m so comfortable riding for Oxford. It’s a young team and we’re all having fun. I’m enjoying my riding and I feel I’m getting better with every meeting. I enjoy riding with Sam, because he looks out for me.

“I think we just need to keep our heads down and keep going and progress, because I think we’re showing everyone in this league that we can win it.”

Cheetahs’ concluding BSN Series qualifying match takes place at Poole next Wednesday (May 7). The winners of the meeting will top the Southern Group and qualify automatically for the semi-finals of the competition. The best scoring runners-up across the three groups also qualify for the semi-finals.

The next action at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the Oxford Spires take on the Birmingham Brummies in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5), a meeting with a 1pm afternoon start. It’s the first of a double-header of action that day, since the same two sides also meet at Birmingham at 7.30pm.

Tickets for the home meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies 50: Sam Masters 15 (full maximum), Jonas Knudsen 9+2, Jordan Jenkins 6, Dan Gilkes 7+1, Cameron Heeps 5, Mitch McDiarmid 5+1, Luke Killeen 3+1.

Plymouth Gladiators 40: Chris Harris 17, Alfie Bowtell 6+4, Mitchell Cluff 3, Joe Thompson 7, Ben Barker R/R, Lasse Fredriksen 3+1, Ben Trigger 4.

PHOTO: Jordan Jenkins and Luke Killeen battled against Mitchell Cluff and Ben Trigger in an absorbing Heat 12 (pic: Steve Edmunds)