Draw ends Bears cup dream

Redcar’s KO Cup dreams were ended despite a spectacular second leg comeback to rescue a 45-45 draw on the night. The Cheetahs led 41-31 with 3 heats remaining, thus securing their progression to the final but the Bears fought back in slightly bizarre circumstances to ensure their season did not end in a home defeat. Despite the late revival, Oxford took a relatively comfortable 85-95 aggregate success. Charles Wright (9+1) and Jason Edwards (7+3) both struck paid 10 for Redcar whilst Ashton Boughen hit a stunning 15 point maximum for Oxford. 

The opening heat was a superb race as Dan Gilkes impressively gated for a fairly comfortable win. However, all eyes were on the race for second as Sam Masters locked up exiting bend 2 of the final lap with Wright sensing an opportunity for a 5-1. However, Wright misjudged bend 3 which let Luke Killeen through to give Oxford a shared opening race. 

After a shared heat two won by Jake Mulford, Ashton Boughen started his evening in superb style with a comfortable win, but with his partner Jacob Hook last, the second leg remained all square. The Bears took the lead for the first time in heat four as King used all his experience to beat Scott Nicholls, and with Mulford in 3rd, Redcar had reduced the aggregate deficit to eight points. 

However, the Cheetahs stamped their authority on proceedings with a 5-1 as Masters won from the gate, and with Oxford’s rider replacement Scott Nicholls seeing off Jason Edwards, the Cheetahs had a 12 point aggregate lead. Oxford then doubled their advantage as the red-hot Nicholls took another win after a fierce battle with Wright, and with Killeen passing Gilkes for 3rd, the Bears were left with a mountain to climb. 

The visitors continued their run of heat advantages as Boughen rode a wonderful opening bend for the win, and with Hook in an important 3rd ahead of Danny Phillips, the tie was beginning to slip away from Redcar. Heat eight saw the unstoppable Boughen round both Bears on the opening bend for another chequered flag, and with Killeen 3rd ahead of Mulford, the Cheetahs were in charge. 

Redcar stopped the visitors’ run of heat advantages in heat nine, but with Nicholls taking the win in a shared heat, Redcar’s hopes of a place in the KO Cup final were fading fast. Heat ten saw Boughen take another win, this time over Wright, but with Hook last, Oxford had to settle for a shared race. Heat 11 represented Redcar’s last chance in terms of qualification, but there was pre-race drama as Phillips had machinery problems on the start line and was replaced with Mulford. The heat saw Masters win the race in a shared heat, meaning the Cheetahs had booked their spot in the final against Poole. 

Boughen completed his first ever second tier maximum with a fifth chequered flag in heat 12, and with Jody Scott 3rd, Oxford led by 10 on the night and had set their sights on an away win. Nevertheless, Redcar kept on battling and after King and Wright got the better of Masters (who then shed a chain), the Bears had a 5-1 and still had hopes of a second leg success. 

Heat 14 saw Edwards take an impressive win, but with Mulford unable to reel in Scott, it appeared the Cheetahs had won the match. However, in bizarre circumstances, Oxford boss Peter Schroek had made an error as having already replaced Scott for Hook, he was ineligible for the race meaning he was disqualified and Mulford was awarded 3rd, which meant the Bears still had an opportunity for a 45-45 draw. 

The final race of the evening saw Wright win, and with Edwards riding superbly to cutback on Masters for 2nd, Redcar had rescued a second leg draw.

Redcar Bears = 45 (85)

1. Charles Wright = 9+1

2. Dan Gilkes = 6+1

3. Jye Etheridge (G) = 7

4. Jason Edwards = 7+3

5. Danny King = 10

6. Danny Phillips (G) = 0

7. Jake Mulford = 6+1

Oxford Cheetahs = 45 (95)

1. Sam Masters = 8

2. Cameron Heeps R/R = 

3. Ashton Boughen = 15

4. Jacob Hook (G) = 2

5. Scott Nicholls = 11+1

6. Luke Killeen = 7+1

7. Jody Scott (G) = 2+1