CUBS FORCE CHARGERS DRAW

NATIONAL Development League leaders Leicester strengthened their position with a 45-45 draw in a thriller at Cowley on Wednesday.

Ben Morley, standing in for the injured Dan Thompson, scored a 15-point maximum for the Lion Cubs, with skipper Joe Thompson adding third places in Heats 13 and 15 to complete the visitors’ comeback from six points down with five races remaining.

Reserve Max Perry contributed an important 10 points for the Cubs, with Jordan Jenkins leading the way for the Chargers on 10 after mechanical trouble in his first ride.

Leicester boss Dave Howard said: “Whenever we go to away matches we’re looking to pick up even one point, but to get a draw also takes two points away from Oxford as the home team, so it gives us a double boost for the play-offs.

“Ben was a superb guest with five rides and five wins, and for Max to get ten points from six rides was fantastic.

“But we’ve still got some work to do to secure our place in the play-offs, because there are six strong teams in this league.”

Oxford home debutant Henry Atkins (8+1) said: “Leicester are a strong team, which is why they are top of the league table. We did drop a few points during the night and that cost us the win.

“Of course, we’d have liked to have won, but at least we got the draw – we’ve got to take that result and move forward from here.”

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Photo credit: LES AUBREY