Oxford Cheetahs v Plymouth Gladiators

OXFORD raced to a 56-34 win over depleted Plymouth to remain top of the Southern group of the Championship Jubilee League.

The visitors, already using rider replacement, were reduced to four riders with Ben Barker ruled out after being declared medically unfit to race, whilst Alfie Bowtell suffered a knee ligament injury in Heat 1.

Cameron Heeps completed a good week for the Cheetahs with 13+2, and skipper Scott Nicholls scored a 12-point maximum. Guest Josh Pickering piled up 17 for the Gladiators.

The Southern group is now set to be decided between Oxford and Poole, who meet twice next week.

Heeps said: “I’m really pleased that I can start to give something back, because I feel the rest of the boys have had my back all year.

“I feel they’ve been picking up my slack, so it’s good that I’m now starting to chip in and do my part.

“I’m pleased that we’re still in with a shout in the Jubilee League. We want to get through to the Final and then who knows what can happen.”

CHAMPIONSHIP JUBILEE LEAGUE
OXFORD 56: Cameron Heeps 13+2, Scott Nicholls 12, Aaron Summers 11+2, Paul Starke 9+2, Troy Batchelor 9+1, Nathan Stoneman 2+2, Jack Thomas r/r
PLYMOUTH 34: Josh Pickering 17, James Wright 8, Jake Mulford 6, Ben Morley 2+1, Alfie Bowtell 0, Ben Barker DNR, Edward Kennett r/r
Championship Jubilee League points: Oxford 3 Plymouth 0

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Photo credit: LES AUBREY