Details
Date | Tapes Up | Competition | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Friday, September 13, 2024 | 7:30 pm | Cab Direct Championhip Play-Off, Semi-Final, 1st Leg | 2024 |
Report
OXFORD took a big step towards the Cab Direct Championship Grand Final with a 46-44 win at Scunthorpe in Friday’s play-off semi-final.
The Cheetahs recovered from an early ten-point deficit at the Eddie Wright Raceway and levelled the scores with a 5-1 from Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls in Heat 13.
Impressive reserve Luke Killeen then came from the back to win Heat 14 with guest Dan Gilkes third to put the visitors ahead, before home star Jake Allen headed up a shared final race.
Masters scored 12+1 with Nicholls on 11+1 for the Cheetahs, who will look to finish the job at Cowley on Wednesday. Allen picked up 10+1 for the hosts.
Killeen (8+1) said: “It’s always great to get an away win, especially in the play-offs when it really matters.
“The team atmosphere is great, and the management get behind us all. We didn’t let our heads drop tonight after a slow start to the meeting and we came back and won it. It just shows what happens when everyone is clicking.”
Scunthorpe skipper Simon Lambert (9) said: “It’s not the result we wanted and it’s very disappointing. But it’s only half time – there’s still another 15 races to go at Oxford next Wednesday.
“My job now is to keep up the heads of the boys and make them realise that it’s not over yet. If Oxford can come here and win, there’s no reason why we can’t do the same and win at their place.”
CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL, 1st leg
SCUNTHORPE 44: Jake Allen 10+1, Simon Lambert 9, Luke Harrison 7+1, Kyle Howarth 7, Connor Mountain 5, Michael Palm Toft 3, Nathan Ablitt 3
OXFORD 46: Sam Masters 12+1, Scott Nicholls 11+1, Luke Killeen 8+1, Dan Gilkes 6+1, Cameron Heeps 5+1, Ashton Boughen 4+1, Jody Scott 0
OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here
Photo credit: IAN RISPIN