TWO play-off hopefuls who suffered contrasting fortunes last weekend clash in front of the BSN cameras tonight.
Oxford’s win at Berwick leap-frogged them into fourth place while Redcar’s home defeat at the hands of a rampant Glasgow side leaves them on the fringes of what is turning into an epic battle to reach the post-season showdown.
The Bears have meetings in hand on all of their rivals – including hosts Oxford – but with Poole, Glasgow and surprise packets Edinburgh beginning to open a gap on the chasing pack – time is running out.
Oxford have already lost at home to both of the Scottish clubs and Poole have yet to visit Cowley so they cannot afford another slip up against a Redcar side whose only win on the road this season was last time out at Workington.
Leon Flint – who scored seven points in Glasgow’s win at Cowley – guests in place of Erik Riss while the Bears will be tapping into the home track knowledge of skipper Charles Wright and Jody Scott.
Wright is in his second season with Oxford’s Premiership team, the Spires, while Scott, newly promoted into the main body of the team, captains the National Development League Oxford Chargers.
Scott made his Bears’ debut and produced a match-winning seven-point return as the host won the corresponding fixture by six points in May.
Oxford continue to use rider-replacement for Jordan Jenkins – who plans to test his injured knee after the meeting – with Workington’s Jacob Hook guesting for Jonas Knudsen who is once again missing due to Danish League commitments.
They also shuffle their riding order with Francis Gusts, who missed the win Berwick because he track reserve for the Latvian Grand Prix, moving from reserve to number five.
Cameron Heeps partners in-form Mitch McDiarmid, fully recovered from an alarming high speed crash at Berwick after shedding a primary chain.
Sam Masters is in sensational form in 2025 none moreso for the Cheetahs where he has dropped only eight points to an opponent in five meetings, three of them coming following and exclusion against Plymouth last time out.
Cheetahs’ manager Peter Schroeck said: “We got ourselves in the top four by winning at Berwick and that is where we aim to stay.
“Momentum is so important – especially at this time of the season. Ideally we’d like the aggregate point as well against the Bears. They can make all the difference doubly so tonight because both teams are in the play-off hunt.”
Redcar boss Gavin Parr believes that having Jake Mulford back on a regular basis and at reserve could be vital in a busy spell which sees them entertain Berwick on Friday night.
Riding for Great Britain under 24 and in the SGP2 has seen him miss a number of Redcar fixtures.
Parr said: “Jake hasn’t ridden for Redcar much this season. He is looking forward to being back as all of this travelling has been tough on him and a spell at reserve will suit him.”
Tonight’s meeting is part of BSN’s Total Season and Championship Pass packages but can also be bought on a one-off basis here.
Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Jordan Jenkins R/R, Cameron Heeps, Mitch McDiarmid, Francis Gusts, Luke Killeen, Jacob Hook.
Redcar Bears: Charles Wright, Jody Scott, Jason Edwards, Leon Flint, Danny King, Jake Mulford, Ace Pijper.
Words by George Dodds.
Images by Taylor Lanning.