Chargers cruise to league title
Oxford claimed the WSRA National Development League title after cruising to an emphatic 30-60 away win against the Middlesbrough “Heat Floors” Tigers. Oxford led for the entirety of the meeting with Darryl Ritchings top scoring with paid 12 whilst Ace Pijper hit 12 for the Tigers.
Heat one set the tone for the match with a 5-1 but it was not without drama. Jacob Clouting led initially and with Jody Scott 2nd, Ace Pijper was left trailing. Clouting dropped to 2nd with Scott out in front, and heading into bend three of lap three, Pijper battled into second but collided with Clouting, with the referee excluding Pijper, thus handing Oxford the perfect start.
The reserves race saw Arran Butcher cruise to a serene win, and with Harry Fletcher 3rd, the Chargers had a six point buffer after only two heats. Heat three saw the Chargers continue their barrage of heat advantages as Senna Summers made an electric gate for the win, and with Ashton Vale 2nd, the visitors were dreaming of the league title.
Darryl Ritchings opened his account by passing Tom Spencer to win heat four, and with Fletcher getting the better of Kieran Douglas, Oxford were in full control. Scott registered his second win in heat five, and with Clouting back on track after his spill, he claimed 2nd for an astounding 7-23 away advantage.
Middlesbrough finally recorded their first heat winner as Ace Pijper battled past both Chargers for the win, but with Elliot Kelly falling away after a decent start, the hosts could not eat into Oxford’s lead. Oxford’s 6th heat advantage arrived in heat seven as Summers won, and with Vale 3rd (despite pressuring Spencer for 2nd), the champions elect had an 18 point lead.
Kelly gated in heat eight for Middlesbrough, and impressively held off Clouting for a superb win, but with Douglas 4th, Oxford were still 18 ahead. Heat nine saw the fast starting Ritchings win, and with Butcher 2nd, Oxford could almost touch the league title.
After Ace Pijper won a shared heat 10 and lowered the colours of Summers in the process, Oxford further extended their lead and officially claimed the league title as Scott passed Spencer to win, and with Clouting 3rd, the Chargers could celebrate.
Summers returned to winning ways in heat 12, and with Butcher holding off Stene Pijper for 2nd, the Chargers had a mammoth 28 point advantage. Heat 13 saw Pijper get the better of his Bears reserve partner Scott for the win, but with Spencer 4th, the 28 point gap remained.
Oxford recorded their 6th maximum heat advantage in heat 14 as Vale won, and with the impressive young reserve Fletcher 2nd, the visitors hammered home their advantage.
The Tigers however, did finish with a flourish as Ace Pijper won, and with Spencer 3rd (despite originally holding 2nd until Ritchings made the pass), the hosts recorded their one heat advantage from the match.
Middlesbrough Tigers = 30 (72)
1. Ace Pijper = 12
2. Elliot Kelly = 4
3. Stene Pijper = 3
4. Mason Watson (G) = 2
5. Tom Spencer = 7
6. Liam Greens = 0
7. Kieran Douglas = 2
Oxford Chargers = 60 (108)
1. Jody Scott = 11
2. Jacob Clouting = 7+2
3. Senna Summers = 11
4. Ashton Vale = 7+2
5. Darryl Ritchings = 11+1
6. Arran Butcher = 8+3
7. Harry Fletcher = 5+2