The Monarch Oxford Cheetahs extended their lead at the top of the Jubilee League (South) table on Wednesday night with a fine 56-34 win over Plymouth Gladiators.
Cheetahs entered the tie knowing a win was required given Poole Pirates’ strong start to the competition and subsequent win away to Birmingham this evening.
Jason Crump and Peter Schroeck’s men are just a point clear of their Dorset rivals, who have two meetings in hand and visit Oxford Stadium on Tuesday, August 2, for what will be a must-win meeting for the Cheetahs.
Gladiators were dealt a blow before a wheel had turned when Ben Barker was withdrawn from the visitors’ line-up after he was declared unfit.
Cheetahs took full advantage of Barker’s absence and quickly established a 12-point lead by heat five with race wins courtesy of Scott Nicholls and Cameron Heeps – who won his first three rides.
Plymouth staged a brief fightback when registering race advantages in heats eight and nine, but with Bowtell withdrawing from the meeting the visitors were always up against it.
A 40-26 lead for the Monarch Cheetahs at the interval was built on in the concluding four heats as 5-1s in heats 13 and 14 confirmed a convincing 56-34 victory for the hosts.
Top scorer Cameron Heeps said: “I’m really pleased that I can start to give something back, because I feel the rest of the boys have had my back all year. I feel they’ve been picking up my slack, so it’s good that I’m now starting to chip in and do my part.
“I’m pleased that we’re still in with a shout in the Jubilee League. We want to get through to the final and then who knows what can happen.”
Oxford Cheetahs resume their Championship Jubilee League (South) campaign next Tuesday, August 2, at Oxford Stadium when hosting Poole Pirates. Tapes-up is at 7.30pm.
Oxford Chargers meanwhile raced to a 42-47 win away to Kent Royals on Sunday afternoon in the National Development League.
RESULTS:
Kent Royals 42-47 Oxford Chargers – National Development League, July 24
Plymouth Gladiators 45-45 Monarch Cheetahs – Jubilee League (South), July 26
Monarch Cheetahs 56-34 Plymouth Gladiators – Jubilee League (South), July 27
FIXTURES:
TUESDAY, August 2: Oxford Cheetahs vs Poole Pirates @ Oxford Stadium, 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY, August 3: Poole Pirates vs Oxford Cheetahs @ Poole Stadium, 7.30pm.
WEDNESDAY, August 3: Oxford Chargers vs Armadale Devils @ Oxford Stadium, 7.30pm.
