PIRATES WIN – CHEETAHS CONSOLATION

POOLE got the better of Oxford in Wednesday’s vital top-of-the-table Cab Direct Championship clash – but the Cheetahs snatched what could prove a priceless aggregate point.

The Pirates won 51-39 on the night to maintain their unbeaten home record, but a last-heat 5-1 from Sam Masters and Scott Nicholls enabled the Cheetahs to leave Wimborne Road with a point.

It means they lead the Pirates by six points in the table rather than the gap being cut to four, with Poole having two matches in hand.

The hosts were well served by Anders Rowe with a best-yet Championship score of 12+1 from six rides whilst Richard Lawson scored 10+1. Masters racked up 15+1 for the Cheetahs with Nicholls coming good after two early retirements.

Oxford boss Peter Schroeck said: “We’re disappointed not to get the win because we know we’re capable. I don’t believe we performed to the best of our ability, but that’s racing – you can’t have it your own way every week.

“We’ll regroup and come back stronger for next week’s trip to Edinburgh. Poole are one of the strongest teams in this division, so to scoop the aggregate point and feel like we could’ve kept the scores closer on another night is a real positive.”

Rowe said: “It was good out there, I just went out, had fun and raced my bikes really and that is when the points come.

“I didn’t really do a lot to the bikes. I had the same set-up, but the engine had just come back from service.  I changed the back sprocket by going down a sprocket and changed the jet but that was it, and it was good, the track was good and I could really race the bike.”

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Photo credit: ANTHONY BURCHELL