Undermanned Academy Well Beaten At Oxford

An undermanned Stellar Monarchs Academy were on the end of a rout from home side Oxford Chargers on Sunday afternoon going down 61-29 to end their unbeaten start to the season.

Already missing Sam McGurk, Kyran Lyden and Matt Marson the Armadale men were given a further blow when top performer so far this season Dayle Wood was the victim of circumstance in his first race, left with no where to go but into stricken team mate Mickie Simpson's machine ending his meeting with a wrist injury, any chance of scoreline respectability for his side going with the Aussie.

The rest of the team battled hard but to little avail leaving team boss Scott Wilson to say, "I don't think there is much I can say after that, everything that could go wrong today did.

"Firstly, I want to wish Dayle a speedy recovery. He was so unfortunate to be caught up in that incident and when he's started the season so well too. Hopefully he isn't out for too long.

"After losing Dayle an uphill task became impossible. I have to give credit to the lads though as they battled on, both on the track and helping each other in the pits. It was all hands on deck.

"Our one positive of the day was Mark Parker. He made a few good starts and had plenty of speed, using the outside of the track well. He was unfortunate not to pick up one or two more points.

"We must now dust ourselves down, hopefully get some injured guys back, and go again."

Down three of their top four at this stage the Academy had to fight for points the rest of the way each of the remaining team taking at least five rides.

With number one Connor Coles also struggling for speed heat wins were few and far between with two each for guest Simpson as much as could be mustered.

This was through no lack of effort and there were good battles between the much improved Parker and Darryl Ritchings in heat seven, Parker and Arran Butcher in heat nine and Lee Harrison and Max Broadhurst in the penultimate race.

For the home men there were maximums at the top and bottom end with number one Jody Scott and number seven Senna Summers both going through the card.

Each of the rest of the home men bar Broadhurst were paid for at least one win as they showed their title credentials moving to the summit of the table.

As said by Wilson it is now time for his men to dust them selves down put this one behind them and look to better things ahead.

Chargers 61 : Scott 15, Clouting 8+2, Butcher 8+1, Vale 7+1, Ritchings 12+1, Broadhurst 1, Summers 10"2

Academy 29 : Coles 4, Ingram 3, Marson r/r, Simpson 8, Wood 2, Parker 9, Harrison 3+2