REPORT: Chargers record historic win at the National Speedway Stadium

LEAGUE LEADERS Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs recorded the first-ever victory for an Oxford side at Belle Vue’s National Speedway Stadium in Manchester when they recorded a whopping 58-32 win over the Belle Vue Colts in a WSRA National League encounter yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

The 26-point winning margin was the largest away win for any of the three Oxford sides, since speedway returned to the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium at the start of 2022.

The last time that Oxford won away at Belle Vue in a standard 15-heat match was 21 years ago, with a 46-44 Elite League victory in 2004 at Kirkmanshulme Lane – the predecessor to the National Speedway Stadium.

Colts were handicapped when their No 1 William Carins withdrew from the meeting with a hand injury, after a fall down the back straight in Heat 1. Both Jody Scott and Jacob Clouting pushed inside Cairns on the second bend, and Cairns then ran out of room on the outside.

But Chargers were convincing winners in any case. Scott was only denied a maximum when he received a bizarre exclusion in Heat 11, when Jack Shimelt fell behind him, while Scott and Darryl Ritchings took 5-1s from both Heats 13 and 15, inflicting defeats on Belle Vue skipper Freddy Hodder, who had won his opening four outings.

Ritchings top-scored for Chargers with 12+2 and only dropped a point, when he finished second to Hodder after a battle for first place in Heat 4.

Chargers were the much more solid team, and both Clouting and Senna Summers posted 9+2 returns, dropping just a single point to the opposition. Clouting was close to his first paid maximum for Chargers, being involving in 5-1s in his opening three outings. In his final ride, he pushed Hodder in the opening stages of the re-run of Heat 11.

Ashton Vale (8+2) and Arran Butcher (6+1) were rock solid as a pairing and both scored in every ride, while Max Broadhurst gained further experience while collecting a couple of points for Chargers.

Jacob Clouting scored paid 11 and said: “To come away and get a good victory, it’s looking good for us and hopefully we can keep it going and win another league title with the Chargers. We’ve got a great team and everyone is cracking on and riding well.

“I think I’ve added a couple of points to my average this season. I’m still lacking a bit of bike time, and perhaps I was riding a bit too tight on the corners today to start with, although I was still scoring the points.

“I tried a couple of different lines in my last one against Freddy Hodder. But once he moved onto the dirt line on the outside, I couldn’t catch him.

“There haven’t been many meetings this season for me, but it’s now really getting going. I’ve got quite a few meetings coming in June, July and August for both Oxford and Kent [in the National Trophy]. Riding every week would be ideal for me, and help me build up consistency.”

The next meeting at BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies take on highly-fancied Glasgow Tigers in Cab Direct Championship action on Wednesday (June 4) at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/

Belle Vue Colts 32: William Cairns 0, Connor King 3, Jack Kingston 6, Mason Watson 3, Freddy Hodder 14, Jack Shimelt 3, Billy Budd 3+1.

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs 58: Jody Scott 12, Jacob Clouting 9+2, Arran Butcher 6+1, Ashton Vale 8+2, Darryl Ritchings 12+2, Max Broadhurst 2, Senna Summers 9+2.

PHOTO: Jacob Clouting and Senna Summers in action for Chargers. Both scored 9+2 at Belle Vue (pic: Steve Edmunds)