PREVIEW: OXFORD v MIDDLESBROUGH (WSRA NDL)
OXFORD and Middlesbrough both make one alternation for their WSRA NDL clash at Cowley today (Sunday).
The Chargers, who opened the season with back-to-back wins over Edinburgh, are still without Alex Spooner as he recovers from last season’s injury.
As in their previous home meeting, they call up assistant track curator Wayne Hutt, who rode at the back end of the club’s previous era, to stand in.
Manager Peter Schroeck said: “With the loss of Jordan Jenkins, Henry Atkins and Ryan Kinsley from the side this year, we lost a lot of firepower from Chargers’ line-up, and I’m delighted how the whole team has stepped up.
“Luke Kileen and Jody Scott have moved to the No.1 and No.5 spots respectively and have shown they can handle being in those positions, while it was fantastic when Jason Garrad scored a maximum last time out.”
Meanwhile Middlesbrough have redeclared with Redcar promoter and former rider Jade Mudgway set to make a one-off reappearance in place of Jake Mulford who is racing in Germany.
Tigers star Ben Trigger said: “I am expecting Jade to do well, I watched him practice at Redcar and Berwick recently and it doesn’t look like he has forgotten anything! If Jade gets out in front I think it will be hard to pass him.
“I have been in our team group chat giving the boys some advice on what set-ups to start with.
“I’m thinking that the track will be similar to Wednesday night so I’m hoping that I can remember everything I learnt and bring it out on track against the Chargers today.”
OXFORD: Luke Killeen, Wayne Hutt, Jason Garrad, Jacob Clouting, Jody Scott, Ashton Vale, Senna Summers.
MIDDLESBROUGH: Jade Mudgway, Ben Rathbone, Danny Phillips, Jamie Halder, Ben Trigger, William Hocaniuk, Kai Ward.
SCB Referee: Matthew Wear
