PREVIEW: OXFORD v BERWICK (CAB DIRECT CHAMP)

OXFORD start a run of four successive home meetings when they take on Berwick at Cowley tonight (Friday).

The Cheetahs’ recent form on their own track has been encouraging and they will look to the upcoming fixtures to climb the table.
The Bandits are currently seventh but no team has raced fewer fixtures, and they face two matches in two days as they also host Plymouth tomorrow.

Anders Rowe misses out for the home side as he races in the GP Challenge at Terenzano on Saturday, and they will operate rider replacement to cover.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “When we looked at it, we felt rider replacement would work better than a guest, especially with six out of nine clubs in action on Friday. Everyone can take a ride, including our skipper Sam Masters.

“We’re using R/R at No 5, because when I looked at it, it meant we didn’t have to spilt up our pairings, plus it gives us a bit of flexibility.

“We know we just need to keep winning. We have done that for our last couple of home meetings, and with our next four meetings all at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium we intend on keeping that run going, while providing plenty of entertainment to the public.”

Bandits boss Stewart Dickson said: “We still have meetings in hand over our play-off rivals, but it is time to start collecting aggregate points.

“We have yet to really fire away from Shielfield Park, due in part to injuries which have stopped us fielding our best seven.

“Now we are together on track it is time to start putting points on the board.”

OXFORD: Sam Masters, Luke Killeen, Edward Kennett, Mitch McDiarmid, Anders Rowe R/R, Dayle Wood, Darryl Ritchings.

BERWICK: Peter Kildemand, Jye Etheridge, Victor Palovaara, Jordan Jenkins R/R, Nick Morris, Jack Smith, Reid Battye.

SCB Referee: Mick Bates

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