BORO WIN IN LATE DRAMA

MIDDLESBROUGH completed the WSRA National Development League double over champions Oxford with a 45-44 win in a dramatic clash at the Ecco Arena.

The Tigers appeared to have moved into a comfortable position with a 5-0 in Heat 9 and a 5-1 in Heat 10 to go eleven points up.

But the Chargers fought back strongly with three 5-1s in the last four races, only to be hampered by a controversial Heat 14 disqualification for Ashton Vale, who tangled with Charlie Southwick, as they fell just short.

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “Charlie Southwick already had something wrong with his bike and he lost his chain going down the straight with a lap to go in Heat 14.

“The lad was totally honest about that after the race – I don’t have any problem with him or anyone from the Redcar/Middlesbrough management.

“Ashton had no choice but to go inside him. He passed him cleanly, but Charlie was just a passenger going into the first turn and he had no chance of remaining on board.

“Yes, there was contact at that point, but I can’t see how that could possibly have been Ashton’s fault – he was still in control of his machine, where Charlie wasn’t, because he didn’t have a chain on his bike.”

Southwick impressed with 12+1 from six rides and skipper Ace Pijper scored 10, whilst Jody Scott (14) and Darryl Ritchings (10+2) both hit double figures for the visitors.

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Photo credit: COLIN POOLE