Oxford Cheetahs v Plymouth Gladiators

OXFORD kept their BSN Series hopes alive with a thumping 55-35 win over Plymouth at Cowley on Wednesday.

Defeat for the Gladiators rules them out of the competition but the Cheetahs still have a chance of topping the group ahead of their trip to Poole next Wednesday.

They even looked on course to overturn a 25-point deficit for the aggregate point when they led 41-19 after two-thirds of the meeting.

But Danny King (12+1) and Scott Nicholls inspired a mini recovery with 5-1s in Heats 11 and 13, Nicholls overtaking both Nick Morris and Sam Masters in the latter race.

Masters top-scored for the Cheetahs with 10+2 and Anders Rowe won three races as he finished with ten.

Oxford star Mitch McDiarmid (8+1) said: “All the boys were hungry. We really wanted the win, and it was good speedway and the track allowed us to race. It’s taken us a couple of meetings, but we’re now really starting to click as a team. We’re improving every meeting.

“Everyone is working together really well. We’re all learning. I’m trying to team-ride more this season. In the past, I’ve been largely looking after myself, but this year I’m looking out more for my team-mate.”

BSN SERIES (SOUTHERN)
OXFORD 55: Sam Masters 10+2, Anders Rowe 10, Luke Killeen 9+1, Mitch McDiarmid 8+1, Dayle Wood 8, Nick Morris 6, Darryl Ritchings 4
PLYMOUTH 35: Danny King 12+1, Ben Barker 7, Scott Nicholls 6+1, Daniel Klima 5, Joe Thompson 4+1, Tom Spencer 1, Anze Grmek 0
Plymouth win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: STEVE EDMUNDS

Watch the action from the Heat 14 (courtesy of OXFORD SPEEDWAY TV | https://livestream.oxfordspeedway.club) – see below