SPIRES ARE INSPIRED

OXFORD slammed Birmingham 62-28 in a one-sided ROWE Motor Oil Premiership clash at Cowley as the Spires hit top form for the first time this season.

The scores were level after four races but the home side then turned on the style, recording eight 5-1s in the remaining 11 heats.

Skipper Maciej Janowski was unbeaten with an 11+1 paid maximum, whilst Erik Riss (11+3) and Rohan Tungate (11+2) were also in double figures.

Meanwhile the Brummies provided just two race winners, with Paco Castagna collecting eight from six rides and new signing Ben Barker picked up 7+1 at reserve.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “It was a great night, and there was a different energy in the team.

“When we had our track walk I said to the lads, ‘everyone’s written us off already, let’s try and do it in a different way,’ and it’s worked.

“I’ve said all along these boys are all classy riders. We’ve got a good side on paper, it hasn’t worked until now, but today was very convincing.”

Birmingham boss Chris Adams said: “I don’t really know what went on. If you’d have told me that this was going to be the final score after those four races, I’d never have believed you in a million years.

“It was painful to watch and simply just not good enough. I feel sorry for all the travelling supporters and anyone who watched the live stream, and we know we’re better than that and we expect better.

“Our Championship riders were our top scorers; Ben battled away all night and answered the critics, just like Paco has since he came to the club. They deserved Heat 15 and I made a point of putting them in, the same as I did when I put Paco in as a tac sub as well.”

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Photo credit: LES AUBREY