REPORT: Depleted Chargers lose unbeaten tag
REAL MINI COMPANY Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs lost their 100 per cent record in the WSRA National League with a 31-59 defeat at Scunthorpe against the Steelers yesterday evening (Friday).
Chargers went into action missing both skipper Jody Scott and Darryl Ritchings. Scott was riding for Cab Direct Championship club Redcar, while Ritchings was injured at Poole on Wednesday. With a restrictive choice of guests available, Chargers used Max James for Scott and utilised rider replacement for Ritchings.
Senna Summers top scored for Chargers 11+1 from seven rides, while Jacob Clouting posted 9+1.
Meanwhile, four Steelers – the joint NL side for Scunthorpe and Sheffield – were unbeaten by a Charger. The pick of those was Jamie Etherington with an outstanding 20+1 from the No 7 berth.
Despite the lop-sided scoreline, there was much to entertain. In Heat 13, Clouting pushed Nathan Ablitt – a Championship-standard rider – all the way and passed him a couple of times during an intriguing battle.
Summers almost foiled Etherington’s paid maximum in Heat 15, but was passed by his opponent with a lap remaining.
Stand-in skipper Ashton Vale was dogged by bad luck. He lost a point with an engine failure in Heat 7, led for most of Heat 10 but fell after a coming-together with Ablitt, and was put back by 15 metres in Heat 14 after failing to switch to the correct helmet colour in time.
Senna Summers said: “I felt like I made every start tonight. I led several races for a couple of laps, but then got pipped towards the end.
“But I was happy with my riding. It’s good that I’m putting together decent starts, while I learnt a lot tonight. This is a hard track to get right – it’s maybe the hardest place we have to come to. I got seven rides under my belt and I’ve learnt for next time I come here.”
Chargers are next in action when they face the Leicester Lion Cubs both home and away a week on Sunday (June 29) in two highly anticipated clashes between the two sides who have shared the last three NL championships between them. The action starts in the East Midlands at 12 noon, before the return meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium at 6.30pm.
The next meeting at Cowley sees the BetGoodwin Oxford Spires take on Birmingham Brummies in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash next Thursday (June 26) at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Steelers 59: Nathan Ablitt 10+2, Luke Harris 3+1, Vinnie Foord R/R, Mickie Simpson 14+1, Luke Harrison 11+1, Harrison Rogers 1, Jamie Etherington 20+1, Jack Franklin (No 8) 0.
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs 31: Max James 2+2, Jacob Clouting 9+1, Arran Butcher 5, Ashton Vale 2+1, Darryl Ritchings R/R, Max Broadhurst 2+2, Senna Summers 11+1.
PHOTO: Jacob Clouting and Senna Summers led the challenge for Chargers at Scunthorpe (pic: Steve Edmunds)