Leicester Lions v Oxford Spires

Report

LEICESTER moved up to second place in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with a 50-40 win over Oxford.

The Lions’ top three dominated the race wins at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park with Sam Masters and Ryan Douglas both scoring 15+1 from six rides, whilst skipper Max Fricke collected 12.

A series of 4-2s put the Lions ten points ahead and although the Spires gained a consolation 5-1 in Heat 14 from Mitch McDiarmid and Peter Kildemand, Masters and Douglas responded in the last race to rebuild the advantage.

Oxford skipper Maciej Janowski scored ten in a major step forward from his previous visit to the East Midlands venue, and reserve Kildemand worked hard for 9+3.

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “It’s natural that after the euphoria of the Cup Final there wasn’t quite the same energy in the stadium or from our riders, but we still managed to get the win which is important.

“Full credit to Oxford, they came here and gave us a tougher meeting than some other teams have this season, so I was pleased to get the win.

“I don’t think it was ever in doubt, but at the same time we never got the lead that we were hoping to get, so it was important to get the 5-1 in Heat 15.”

Spires manager Peter Schroeck said: “I’m really pleased to be honest, to come to Leicester who potentially could be Premiership winners, and only go down by ten points.

“There have been stronger teams to come here before who have lost by a lot more, so I’m happy with the performance.”

LEICESTER 50: Ryan Douglas 15+1, Sam Masters 15+1, Max Fricke 12, Drew Kemp 5, Joe Thompson 2, Steve Worrall 1, Luke Becker r/r.
OXFORD 40: Maciej Janowski 10, Peter Kildemand 9+3, Rohan Tungate 7, Mitch McDiarmid 6+1, Charles Wright 5+1, Luke Killeen 3+1, Erik Riss r/r.

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: RICHARD BOETTCHER