PREVIEW: Chargers look to bounce back at Middlesbrough
DEFENDING champions Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers are hoping to kick-start their WSRA National League campaign at Middlesbrough on Friday evening (May 1) at 7.30pm.
Chargers suffered a 42-48 home reverse against the Middlesbrough Tigers at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was Chargers’ opening fixture of the season and some of the team were lacking competitive track time, while Tigers had already been in action as a unit at Leicester the previous weekend.
Chargers are due to be at full strength, while Middlesbrough have been forced into two changes, since Nathan Ablitt is on Cab Direct Championship duty with Scunthorpe, while Kai Ward has retired.
Oxford clinched the WSRA National League title with a huge 60-30 away win at Middlesbrough last September, and five of this year’s team were on parade for Chargers that afternoon.
Chargers’ manager Peter Schroeck said: “I know the boys would love to win at Middlesbrough and make up for the home defeat on Sunday.
“I wasn’t unhappy on Sunday – our riders put it in their all and that’s all I can ever ask for, especially at this level where the lads are still learning their trade.
“The WSRA National League is unpredictable and there’s no reason why we can’t win up there and come away with a victory.”
The next scheduled meeting at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium is on Wednesday, May 13 at 7.30pm, when the SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs take on Edinburgh Monarchs in their opening meeting in the Cab Direct Championship. Tickets will be on sale in due course on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/tickets/
Teams:
Middlesbrough Tigers: Ace Pijper (C), Seth Norman (G), Stene Pijper, Jade Mudgway, Freddy Hodder (G), Harry Sadler, Charlie Southwick. Team manager: Brian Turner.
Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers: Jody Scott (C), Mason Watson, Senna Summers, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Harry Fletcher, Max Broadhurst. Team manager: Peter Schroeck.
PHOTO by Steve Edmunds