Poole Pirates v Oxford Cheetahs

Report

OXFORD have booked their place in the BSN Series semi-finals – although their impressive 46-44 win at Poole was marred by an injury to Dan Gilkes.

The Cheetahs raced into a ten-point lead at Wimborne Road and though they were gradually reeled in during the closing stages, a second place for captain Sam Masters in Heat 15 was enough to clinch victory.

However, they lost Gilkes in a Heat 10 crash which saw the meeting held up whilst he received trackside care before being taken to hospital with a kneecap injury.

Masters top scored with 16 from six rides whilst reserve Mitch McDiarmid made a key contribution with 11+1. Richard Lawson scored 13 for the Pirates with skipper Zach Cook on 10+1.

The result means Oxford join Glasgow as confirmed semi-finalists, whilst holders Poole must wait to see if their five group points – and a favourable race points difference – will be enough to take the position for best runners-up.

Masters said: “I feel we deserved the victory tonight – we were riding well all night.

“We only had five riders left at the end. Gilkesy had scored five points from the three races he completed and every point counted. We hope he’s okay – he’s been a big part of the team.

“Mitch had a great meeting. Poole were struggling a bit at reserve and when you’ve got someone scoring well at reserve, it takes the pressure off the rest of us.”

Lawson said: “I don’t really know what to say, it was one of those frustrating nights, but I am not going to stand here and make excuses.

“We weren’t good enough, and we will have to take a look back at this and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

BSN SERIES SOUTHERN
POOLE 44: Richard Lawson 13, Zach Cook 10+1, Anders Rowe 8+1, Lewis Kerr 6, Paul Starke 4+1, Tobias Thomsen 3, Matt Marson 0
OXFORD 46: Sam Masters 16, Mitch McDiarmid 11+1, Jonas Knudsen 7+2 Dan Gilkes 5, Jordan Jenkins 4+1, Luke Killeen 3+1, Cameron Heeps r/r
Oxford win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: TONY HARTMAN