PREVIEW: Cheetahs in key clash at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

SD TIMMO CAR SALES Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies are seeking to consolidate their place in the top four when they host Redcar Bears in the Cab Direct Championship at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Wednesday evening (August 6) at 7.30pm.

The top four qualify for the end-of-season play-offs, and Cheetahs moved into that position with a hard-fought 46-44 victory at Berwick on Saturday evening, with skipper Sam Masters scoring 13+1 and securing the win in Heat 15.

Redcar are currently in sixth place, three points behind Cheetahs, but with two matches in hand.

There’s an aggregate bonus point at stake, since Redcar won the corresponding encounter at the ECCO Arena on Teesside by 48-42 in May.

Cheetahs will utilise rider replacement for the injured Jordan Jenkins, with all the Oxford riders eligible to take a ride. Jenkins will test out his injured knee following the meeting.

Jonas Knudsen is riding in the Danish League, so Jacob Hook will replace him. Hook has been a regular guest rider for Cheetahs over the last couple of seasons and is in good form for Workington.

Redcar are missing Erik Riss through his ongoing illness and bring in Leon Flint. Bears track two very familiar faces to Oxford fans in Charles Wright and Jody Scott.

Cheetahs’ manager Peter Schroeck said: “Momentum is so important – especially at this part of the year. We took an excellent victory up at Berwick on Saturday. It wasn’t a straightforward night for us at all – we had a lot of niggly machinery problems. But, led by Sam Masters, the boys showed their determination and pulled through.

“We did a good job in holding Redcar within six points up there in May and that’s put us in a good position for the aggregate bonus point.

“Our first aim is make sure we win the meeting against the Bears, but ideally we’d like the aggregate point as well. Those can make all the difference, and against Redcar, that’s doubly so, because both teams are in the play-off hunt. We’ve got ourselves into the top four and that’s where we aim to stay.

“It’s going to be a terrific speedway meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium. We’re now at the business end of the season and every meeting takes on extra importance. My job is keep the lads calm and focused on the job in hand.”

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

Admission is available at the early bird price of £21 for all adults, which increases to £23 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. Spectators are also reminded that they will need to pay £2 if they are planning to park in the Unipart car park.

Teams:

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies: Sam Masters (C), Jordan Jenkins R/R, Cameron Heeps, Mitch McDiarmid, Francis Gusts, Luke Killeen, Jacob Hook (G).

Redcar Agilia Bears: Charles Wright (C), Jody Scott, Jason Edwards, Leon Flint (G), Danny King, Jake Mulford, Ace Pijper.

PHOTO by Steve Edmunds