Newcastle Diamonds v Oxford Cheetahs

OXFORD pulled off their first away win since returning to the sport with a 48-41 success at Newcastle.

Skipper Scott Nicholls and the impressive Jack Thomas combined for a 5-1 in Heat 15 to not only secure match victory for the Cheetahs, but also to enable them to collect all four league points.

Thomas racked up 13+2 from six rides for the visitors with Nicholls adding 12+1, and reserve Dillon Ruml contributed a crucial 11+2. Guest Richie Worrall scored 10+1 for the Diamonds with skipper James Wright on 10.

Oxford co-boss Peter Schroeck said: “The atmosphere and the attitude of the boys was mind blowing. Everyone was really up for it, and to pick up maximum points on the road is great for the team.

“It was tough at Berwick, which is a difficult track to go to. They’ve got some home track specialists who made it very hard for us.

“But picking up four points from those two meetings is a great achievement, hopefully we can carry that momentum forwards to Wednesday against Redcar.”

Newcastle co-promoter Dave Tinning said: “Honestly and simply tonight was a disappointment. We started off pretty well, and led the match, or held level with the Cheetahs until Heat 7, and even then held the gap to a point or two, but lost ground and just couldn’t recover.

“Our thanks to Richie and Tom [Brennan] for standing in for us this week, and we’ll be regrouping this week in preparation for tackling the Berwick Bandits.”

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Photo credit: STEVE BROCK