One point Oxford win in a thriller

It was worthwhile sticking around at Armadale tonight because as the night got colder, the action got hotter. There were several great races in the closing stages before Jody Scott burst ahead in the final heat to ensure a one-point victory for the visiting Chargers.

The Academy have three riders racing in the Championship but they took time to settle and only won two heats between them, leaving Dayle Wood (13) as easily the most impressive home rider – so much steadier than last season.

Dayle said afterwards "A few silly points thrown away by the team but that's all part of racing. I felt really good on the bike, everything was working well which makes it easier – I hope to push on like that for the rest of the season. We'll do our best at Oxford on Sunday, hopefully all the boys are on their game and we will see what we can do."

It was probably something of a surprise result but it was a deserved win for Oxford. They held an 8-point lead after seven heats before the Monarchs Academy settled down a bit and pulled back level at heat 10. The last few races were both unpredictable and enjoyable.

Oxford regained the advantage in heat 11 as Luke Killeen won his third heat, and they added another point to their lead in a sensational heat 12 tussle between Sam McGurk and Jason Garrad. Neither rider was in complete control but they gave it their all as they battled neck and neck, Garrad just snatching it on the line.

Chargers had their top two in heat 13 and may have expected to forge ahead, but predicting anything in the NDL is a dangerous game. Luke Killeen off gate one lifted and came off, earning an exclusion, and in the restart Max Perry really came good with some excellent outside line riding to pass Scott. It was not all over as the young Charger fought hard to regain the lead, just missing out by a very narrow margin.

Dayle Wood impressively won heat 14 but Kyran Lyden (two wins earlier) could not add the important point, meaning that Oxford led by a point going in to the last race.

Killeen fell again, caught on the outside of a tight first corner, and it looked briefly as if Wood was going ahead, only for Scott to burst past into the third corner and lead the way home for victory for his team. A tremendous effort by the 17 year old prospect.

If the Academy heat leaders can raise their game to the expected level then having Wood going so well and Lydan also effective at reserve, the future should be bright for the Academy. How they will be wishing to reverse the scores on Sunday.

Oxford still have Spooner to come in to their side when fit, and they have two outstanding heat leaders in Killeen and Scott. The contributions from Garrad, Clouting and Vale were also vital.

Academy Start Armadale Season

On Friday the Monarchs Academy follow up their opening day National Development League defeat at Leicester with their fist outing on home shale, and Scott Wilson couldn't have been handed a tougher start to his second season at the helm.

Despite a spirited challenge against 2022 NDL title-winning Lion Cubs, the Academy lads went down 56-34 at the Pidock Motorcycles Arena. And it doesn't get any easier…

This weekend it's the turn of current NDL champions, Oxford Chargers, to attempt to thwart the youngsters' progress. Led by team boss Peter Schroeck, Oxford have used up a fair chunk of their points allocation on the middle-to-lower orders of the team.

Indeed, they stand alone in having a fourth ranked rider on an average of above 5.00. Of course, this more bottom-heavy balance has meant rostering heat leaders of a more modest CMA than that gone for by some of their rivals. Yet, I would defy anyone to underestimate the quality and points-scoring acumen of the top trio they did plump for.

Sadly Alex Spooner, a 2023 Academy rider whose season was ravaged by injury, is still struggling to make a return and is replaced for the visit to West Lothian by Academy No.8 Lee Harrison.

The Chargers are excellently served at heat leader level by game Australian skipper Luke Killeen who has guested for Edinburgh in the past, and Jody Scott, so impressive in last year's sun-baked Youth Championship leg at Armadale.

Elsewhere the Chargers can boast a fine blend of experience and youth in the shape of 36 year-old Oxfordshire born Jason Garrad and exciting reserve prospects Ashton Vale (16) and Senna Summers (19).

All in all a strong squad who should be there or thereabouts when the prizes are being handed out.

As for the Monarchs Academy, fresh from double-figure, top-scoring at Leicester, much hope will be placed at the wheels of Sam McGurk to make real impact in the months ahead.

Likewise, a great deal will be expected of far-travelled Max Perry who begins Academy life at No.5.

Similarly, having Connor Cole's double up with his Monarchs reserve slot, is a real asset laid at Scott Wilson's disposal.

A Monarch back in 2009, Connor will captain the 2024 Academy side.

One rider whose proposed bow for the Armadale Devils a couple of years back didn't quite happen is Mason Watson who opted to join home town team Berwick Bullets instead. He has remained a Shielfield fixture ever since but we won't hold that against him. In fact it is with great enthusiasm that we welcome a very capable performer who could quite feasibly be the ace in the hole among our winter arrivals. No pressure Mason.

An even more familiar face may have something to say about that though.

By his own admission, Dayle Wood had a tough time last term. Surely though, the wealth of experience gained riding at both Championship and NDL level must stand him in good stead to take up his new role as chief support for his heat-leading colleagues.

At reserve too, the Academy are fortunate in being able to call upon two youngsters of the as yet untapped calibre of Mark Parker(we won't get him mixed up with Max Perry at all) and the returning and, judging by the season launch, wholly wacky Kyran Lyden.

A captivating campaign awaits I'm certain…"