REPORT: Oxford Chargers move up to second place in WSRA National League with largest win of the season

REAL MINI COMPANY Oxford Chargers leapt up the WSRA National League table after they concluded their 2026 season with a resounding 58-32 victory over Buxton Bulls at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Friday). It was Chargers’ largest win of the season.

Chargers – the WSRA National League champions in 2023 and 2025 – entered the night in last place in the NL table (sixth). But such is the closeness of the standings behind runaway champions Edinburgh that all three points – including the aggregate bonus point – against Buxton propelled them up to second place.

Oxford demonstrated they meant business from the moment that skipper Jody Scott and Harry Fletcher came through the pack in Heat 1 for an opening 5-1, leaving Bulls’ No 1 Alfie Bowtell at the rear.

Chargers looked potentially vulnerable at reserve, but Max Broadhurst and local debutant Archie Strong performed well in Heat 2 and packed the minor placings for a 3-3.

An alarming looking spill in Heat 3 saw both Senna Summers and Charlie Southwick come down on the first bend. Ashton Vale was excluded for being the cause of the stoppage, since he had lifted on the entry to the bend. Summers got his caught in the bike and suffered damage to both his shoulder and one of his digits, but was okay to continue in the meeting and he won the re-run.

Bowtell also came down, in Heat 5, after a clash with Buxton team-mate Arran Butcher on the second bend. Bowtell was unable to continue due to an arm injury, while Summers and Vale turned up the heat with a 5-1 in the re-run,

Scott and 16-year-old Fletcher posted a further two 5-1s in Heats 6 and 10 – with Fletcher overtaking Jack Roberts for second place in the former race. Fletcher came through the pack to win Heat 8. Broadhurst also looked competitive in that race and was the initial race leader before eventually finishing third.

Chargers were in complete command and victories by Darryl Ritchings in Heat 11 and Summers in Heat 12 secured victory. The aggregate bonus point was also in the bag, after Ritchings charged inside Luke Harris on the opening lap of Heat 13 to join Scott for a 5-1.

Vale produced the race of the evening in Heat 14. He was last away, but soon rounded Jack Shimelt into second place, then went in pursuit of race-leader Southwick. On the final lap, Vale built up his speed on the fast outside line. Southwick moved over to block him on the last bend, but Vale cut back to the inside to take a terrific heat victory.

Scott completed a full 15-point maximum by winning Heat 15, while Fletcher missed out on a paid maximum, as the much older Jack Roberts took second, but Fletcher still took a third place to take his tally to paid 13 on the night, as Chargers closed out with a 4-2.

Ritchings finished the night with a paid maximum (11+1), while Summers (10) won three out of his four races, and Vale (8+1) was unbeaten after his exclusion in Heat 3.

Both Chargers’ reserves were competitive, with Broadhurst scoring three points and Strong scoring 1+1 in his first-ever NL meeting.

For Buxton, Roberts was the pick of their riders with nine points and he spoilt the maximums of Summers (Heat 9) and Fletcher (Heat 15).

Chargers’ skipper Jody Scott finished the season on a calculated match average of 11.04 in the WSRA National League. The maximum is 12.00 – and an 11-plus average is rarely achieved.

16-year-old Harry Fletcher said: “It was nice to get my first Heat 15, although it was a shame that I just missed out on my first paid maximum. But I had plenty of good races tonight and scored a lot of points.

“It’s been good riding with the Chargers this season. I’ve had plenty of help from the management, my fellow riders, while a big thank you to all my sponsors. It’s been good being in the same team as Jody and Darryl, who have passed on their experience.

“I’d like to get a Championship place next year or at least get some more guest bookings in that league. I want to progress as a rider and getting into the Championship is the next step.

“I’ve really enjoyed being at Oxford, and it would be great to be back with the Chargers next year.”

Last night was the final race meeting of the season at Cowley, while it was announced that the End Of Season celebration will take place at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium on Friday, October 16. It will be free to attend, but supporters will need to register their interest in advance. More details in due course on the Oxford Speedway website at: https://oxfordspeedway.club/

Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers 58: Jody Scott 15 (full maximum), Harry Fletcher 10+3, Senna Summers 10, Ashton Vale 8+1, Darryl Ritchings 11+1 (paid maximum), Archie Strong 1+1, Max Broadhurst 3.

Buxton Bulls 32: Alfie Bowtell 0, Arran Butcher 3+1, Luke Harris 7, Charlie Southwick 5+2, Jack Roberts 9, Harrison Rogers 1+1, Jack Shimelt 7+2.

PHOTO: Heat 13 from the start, with Jody Scott and Darryl Ritchings and Buxton’s Luke Harris (pic: Steve Edmunds)