Oxford Chargers leapfrogged Belle Vue Colts into third in the National Development League table on Wednesday night after securing an entertaining 48-41 victory at Oxford Stadium.
Missing fans’ favourite Nathan Stoneman, Chargers denied their Manchester rivals any league points after a heat 15 maximum from Henry Atkins and Jordan Jenkins confirmed a seven-point win.
It was possible for Colts to win the meeting with just one heat remaining. The National Speedway Stadium outfit staged a brave response to Chargers’ eye-catching 5-1s recorded in heats one and two which opened up an early eight-point advantage.
Colts’ number one Jack Smith and guest Adam Roynon were required to bring home a maximum of their own to turn the meeting on its head at the death. But a mechanical failure for Roynon put pay to any slim hopes the visitors had of pinching a win before the race started.
Man of the moment Atkins raced to his fourth race win of the night while Jenkins followed him home to record 12+2 on the night from his six rides.
There were paid race wins too for Jody Scott, Arran Butcher and Jacob Clouting. Sam Hagon meanwhile weighed in with an important haul of six points from five rides.
Chargers resume their National Development League campaign at home to Mildenhall Fen Tigers on Wednesday, August 24.
Oxford Chargers: Jordan Jenkins 12+2, Henry Atkins 15+1, Sam Hagon 6, Jody Scott 8+1, Nathan Stoneman R/R, Arran Butcher 5+2, Jacob Clouting 2+1.
Belle Vue Colts: Jack Smith 11+1, Harry McGurk R/R, Adam Roynon 14, Sam McGurk 0, Jake Mulford 6, Archie Freeman 4, Freddy Holder 6+3.
CHEETAHS GO FOR CHAMPIONSHIP PAIRS GLORY
Meanwhile, Scott Nicholls and Aaron Summers can write their names in Oxford Speedway history tonight when representing the Monarch Cheetahs in the prestigious Championship Pairs.
A bumper crowd is expected as speedway fans flock from across the UK and wider Europe to the city of dreaming spires – many attending for the first time since the multi-purpose Cowley venue reopened its doors in April.
The Cheetahs have been drawn in Group B of the 10-team competition. Nicholls and Summers will race Poole, Plymouth, Berwick and Redcar while Group A consists of Leicester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Scunthorpe and Birmingham.
Cheetahs Team Manager Peter Schroeck said: “We’ve got a solid pairing, but so has every other team. It’s a real lottery the Championship Pairs which is what makes it such a popular event.
“There are no gimmes, and there’s certainly no margin for error. You have to be on you’re a-game because the quality of the field means any slip ups and you will get found out.
“Getting out the group stage is our first priority, and then we’ll see how the evening progresses from there.”
Tapes-up tonight (Friday) at Oxford Stadium is at 7.30pm.
RESULTS:
Wednesday, August 10: Oxford Chargers 48-41 Belle Vue Colts – National Development League
FIXTURES:
British Speedway Championship Pairs: Friday, August 12 – 7.30pm @ Oxford Stadium.
Oxford Cheetahs vs Edinburgh Monarchs: Wednesday, August 19 – 7.30pm @ Oxford Stadium.
