REPORT: Spires edged out in humdinger at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium

BETGOODWIN Oxford Spires just missed out by 43-46 to Sheffield Tigers in a thrilling encounter in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Thursday).

In a see-saw meeting, Sheffield led in the early stages, before Spires took three 5-1s and a 4-2 in successive races in the mid-part of the meeting to move ten points ahead at 35-25.

But Tigers hit back and won the meeting in a tense last-heat decider to move into second place in the league table. Spires are almost certain to finish in sixth place, ahead of bottom club Birmingham Brummies.

Luke Killeen crashed out of the meeting, after clipping the back wheel of Jye Etheridge in Heat 2. Killeen sustained a wrist injury and was not able to ride for the rest of the evening, but it is hoped we will be fit enough to ride for the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies at the weekend.

Killeen’s withdrawal meant a busy evening for fellow reserve Peter Kildemand, who was given seven rides. The Dane won his first four outings, including a fine early charge from third to first in Heat 4 to defeat 2012 World Champion Chris Holder. Rohan Tungate picked up a win over Jack Holder – currently fifth in the World Championship standings – in Heat 5.

Sheffield skipper Josh Pickering fell while second in Heat 7, and the race was awarded as a 5-1 to Kildemand and Maciej Janowski to level the score at 21-21. Spires took the lead for the first time at 25-23, after a 4-2 from Kildemand and Mitch McDiarmid in Heat 8.

New signing Victor Palovaara joined Tungate for a 5-1 over Chirs Holder in Heat 9. No 1 Charles Wright flew charged around the outside into the lead in Heat 10, while McDiarmid produced a great ride to keep both Nick Morris and Pickering at bay and join Wright for a 5-1 that moved Spires ten points clear.

Heat 11 was the turning point. Janowski could not get his bike off the start-line, while the two Sheffield riders both locked up on the third bend and the following Kildemand ended up in the fence. With Kildemand excluded as the cause of the stoppage and Janowski excluded since he was not under power, Tigers took a 5-0 in the re-run.

Tigers took a 5-1 in Heat 12, before Wright and Janowski popped out of the start in Heat 13. The Holder brothers went either side of Janowski on the second bend, and Jack Holder fended off the Pole for third place. Wright won his second successive race to keep Spires one point ahead.

Tigers took the lead with a 4-2 in Heat 14. Kildemand forced a route past race-leader Leon Flint after two laps, but Flint keep the throttle wound on, and powered back around Kildemand on the back straight of lap three.

With the tension mounting, Jack Holder picked up a warning for moving at the start in Heat 15. He again trapped in the re-run, but Tungate forced a path underneath him on the third turn. Pickering then flew around Tungate on the back straight of lap two. Tungate fended off Holder for second place, but Tigers won the meeting with a 4-2.

Kildemand top-scored for Spires with 14 points, while Tungate defeated Jack Holder twice on his way to 11 points. Wright also had a good night and scored nine points.

Palovaara scored 3+2 on his full debut for Spires, while teenager McDiarmid was again lively and collected 3+1. Skipper Janowski had a disappointing night and only scored 3+1.

Peter Kildemand scored 14 points, including winning his opening four outings. The Dane said: “When I saw we had a full team and there wasn’t rider replacement, I thought that it was going to be an easier night and that I was unlikely to take seven rides. But then Luke crashed out in the opening race – I hope he’s going to be okay – and that meant a busy night for me.

“The evening started really well, with four race wins. But it was hard to get out of the outside gate tonight and I had it in successive races [in Heats 11 and 12]. When I crashed and Maciej’s bike packed up, the 5-0 changed the momentum of the meeting. But that’s sport for you – sometimes you’re lucky and sometimes you’re unlucky.

“When I fell, the rider in front of me [Anders Rowe] pulled a big locker in front of me. If I didn’t put the bike down, I would have hit his back wheel. I know how that hurts and didn’t want to do that. It was just a racing accident, and I’m just glad I didn’t hurt myself and was able to complete the meeting. Finishing the night with 14 points is alright.

“I have got stronger as the season has gone along. It’s taken me a while to adapt back to the tracks over here, but I feel I’ve got some momentum going on, and it’s good, and I’ll enjoy the rest of the season.”

The next meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium sees the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies host the Workington Comets in the Cab Direct Championship on Sunday (August 17) – please note the start-time of 6pm. Cheetahs are in action twice at Cowley in three days, since they also host arch-rivals Poole Pirates next Wednesday (August 20) at 7.30pm in what promises to be a fiercely-fought contest, especially given recent controversy against Pirates.

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

Cheetahs are also in action at Glasgow tomorrow (Saturday).

BetGoodwin Oxford Spires 43: Charles Wright 9, Mitch McDiarmid 3+1, Rohan Tungate 11, Victor Palovaara 3+2, Maciej Janowski 3+1, Peter Kildemand 14, Luke Killeen 0.

Sheffield Tigers 46: Jack Holder 10+1, Anders Rowe 7+3, Josh Pickering 9, Nick Morris 3, Chris Holder 8, Jye Etheridge 2+1, Leon Flint 7+1.

PHOTO: Peter Kildemand moves inside both Leon Flint and Chris Holder to win Heat 4 (Image: Steve Edmunds)