Oxford Cheetahs v Scunthorpe Scorpions

Report

OXFORD Cheetahs duo Dan Gilkes and Jordan Jenkins both scored paid maximums in a 55-35 MAXiCab Knockout Cup win over Scunthorpe.

The home side’s middle order pairing combined for three 5-1s in their outings together, both ending with 10+2 totals as Gilkes made a dream debut for the club.

Skipper Sam Masters racked up 14 from five rides, dropping his only point to Scorpions No.1 Steve Worrall in the last race as the Cheetahs built up a 20-point first leg advantage.

Worrall scored nine for the visitors with reserve Zaine Kennedy notching 7+1, including a race win on his return to British Speedway.

Jenkins said: “Both the Cheetahs and also myself couldn’t have started the season any better than that. Tonight I was making some decent starts and enjoying it, while the team dug in and did the job.

“Dan Gilkes is a good rider, he knows where to ride on the track, and he’s got it all under control. He’s very quick when he’s out in front and we are a strong pairing.

“We’ve still got a job to do and we won’t take it granted, but a 20-point lead is nice to take up to Scunthorpe next month. When we go up there, we’ll try to avoid last places and stop them coming back at us.”

MAXICAB KO CUP Q/F 1st leg
OXFORD 55: Sam Masters 14, Jordan Jenkins 10+2, Dan Gilkes 10+2, Cameron Heeps 8+1, Luke Killeen 8, Jonas Knudsen 4+2, Darryl Ritchings 1+1
SCUNTHORPE 35: Steve Worrall 9, Zaine Kennedy 7+1, Jake Allen 6+1, Connor Mountain 5, Luke Harrison 4+1, Simon Lambert 2+2, Declan Kennedy 2

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: LES AUBREY

Watch the action from Heat 10 (courtesy of OXFORD SPEEDWAY TV | https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club)