WIN DOUBLE FOR ACADEMY

EDINBURGH collected two wins out of two from their WSRA NDL double-header against fellow title contenders Oxford and Leicester on Friday.

But with their opponents both taking the aggregate points, it means all three sides are still mathematically able to be crowned league champions.

The advantage is still with Oxford, who will be uncatchable if they win their final match at Middlesbrough next Saturday – but any slip-up there could let the Monarchs Academy or the Lion Cubs back in.

Edinburgh beat Oxford 48-42 in the opening fixture, which went down to a last-heat decider before Jordy Loftus and skipper Connor Coles took a 5-1 to seal a home victory.

The second match would also have gone to the wire as the Monarchs Academy led a depleted Leicester, who were down to four riders at the time, 44-40 but the final race could not be held due to the curfew.

Coles said: “In our last home match we struggled a bit against a depleted Steelers team, so I knew these would be close.

“It would have been nice to get a bit closer to the aggregate points and not leave it down to last -heat deciders.

“I think if we win our last match at Belle Vue we will be in with a good chance.”

Oxford star Senna Summers said: “ Edinburgh have a good team, plus this is one of the hardest places to come to – it’s a difficult track to figure out. All the boys got stuck in and we all helped each other out and we were a bit unlucky in places – we dropped points in several races.

 “But we’re still in a position where hopefully we can finish the job in our final meeting at Middlesbrough.”

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARDS
Edinburgh v Oxford – available here
Edinburgh v Leicester – available here

Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO