One point Oxford win in a thriller

REPORT Friday 19th April 2024, 11:44pm

by Mike Hunter

  Edinburgh Monarchs Academy

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.

Full Result Details