Oxford Cheetahs beat Redcar Bears to start league season

The Cab Direct Championship fixture at Oxford Stadium saw Cheetahs earn the win largely thanks to three pivotal races that switched the game in their favour.

Redcar Bears started off strongly, taking a 16-14 lead after five races, despite an opening 5-1 for Sam Masters and Cameron Heeps in heat one.

Sam Masters in action for Oxford Cheetahs (Image: Steve Edmunds)

But Cheetahs battled back with consecutive victories in the next three heats.

Masters and Heeps secured the first in heat six, followed by Luke Killeen and Scott Nicholls taking a 5-1 from heat seven.

A high-tension race in heat eight saw Cheetahs' Ashton Boughen and Heeps overtaking Redcar’s Jonas Knudsen, capturing another five points for the home side.

These consecutive victories quickly shifted the score line to 29-19, with Cheetahs firmly in the lead.

Despite an attempt from Redcar's skipper Charles Wright to regain ground, Cheetahs maintained their momentum.

A fantastic performance from Masters and 16-year-old Boughen ensured Oxford remained ahead, growing their lead to 37-23.

The team wrapped up the game with Killeen’s victory in heat 12.

The fixture took place at Oxford Stadium (Image: Newsquest)

Despite Heep's unfortunate crash due to a wet track, the victory was already assured for the Cheetahs.

Masters scored 12+2, with four other Cheetahs also paid for double figures.

Killeen said: “I’m definitely happy with how it went today. It’s the first time I’ve scored double figures at this level without the help of the bonus points.

"It was a really good team performance from all of us and it was nice to start our league fixtures with a performance like that.

"We kept on fighting the whole night, because not only did we want to win, but we also wanted a decent lead for when we head to their place to secure the bonus point."

He added: "I will enjoy coming back here on Sunday afternoon with the Oxford Chargers.

"We’ve got a good set of boys and we’ll looking to keep up our 100 per cent National League record with a win over Middlesbrough.

"It’s an enjoyable afternoon of racing and I hope the fans come along and have a good time watching us.”

The fixture also saw Oxfordshire-born Jason Garrad make his debut for Cheetahs in heat three.

Garrad took the first of the rider replacement outings for the injured Henry Atkins but trailed home in fourth.

The Cab Direct Knockout Cup semi-finals draw also took place during the evening with Cheetahs set to face Bears, while Poole will face either Berwick or Scunthorpe.