CHEETAHS’ RUN ENDED

REDCAR ended Oxford’s unbeaten record in the Cab Direct Championship with a 48-42 win in a thriller at the ECCO Arena.

Both sides led the meeting which went down to a last-heat decider after the Cheetahs pulled off a 5-1 in Heat 14 to narrow the Bears’ lead to four points.

But Danny King was the Redcar hero in Heat 15 as he defeated Sam Masters with Charles Wright in third place ahead of Oxford guest Benjamin Basso, with the visitors going away with the aggregate point.

King top-scored for the home side with ten points and Wright scored 9+2 with reserves Jason Edwards (8+2) and Luke Harrison making key contributions. Masters and Basso both scored 11 for the Cheetahs.

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “It’s been some run, one of the best I’ve been involved with in my speedway career for sure.

“But you can’t win them all and the boys showed great fight and character tonight to only go down narrowly and more importantly scoop the aggregate bonus point.

“Redcar worked hard for their victory, and I fully expect to see them in the play-offs at the end of the year. They’re a tough team but for us we move on and look forward to Scunthorpe’s visit to Oxford Stadium on Wednesday.”

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Photo credit: COLIN POOLE