Bojangles

A thoroughly enjoyable meeting, and the atmosphere in the crowd was the best I've felt at a domestic speedway meeting in some time. Had the hairs standing up on the back of your neck. Poole fans always bring a good following and are very vocal, which adds to the occasion. The Oxford fans clearly fed off that and turned the volume up accordingly. It was all pretty respectful, apart from some sour Poole fans booing Nicholls in heat 15 when he just lifted and made a mistake - nothing intentional - and Lawson clearly accepted his apology with a shake of hands after the race. Some Poole fans were probably unsure if Lawson had forgiven Nicholls as they were already heading home after lap 2 of heat 15...a stream of them started to leave. I was stood next the Poole following and is was quite comical listening to them, as they clearly aren't used to losing. After heat 5 they were already accepting defeat: "I can't believe how bad we've been, this could be 55-35. We might as well give up now" After heat 8 they were making team changes: "Roynon is just not good enough at this level, and Worrall isn't a heat leader anymore. We need to make at least two changes if we're going to win the playoffs" After heat 14 they were dreaming of revenge at home: "If this was at Poole, we'd be thrashing them. No way Atkins scores more than four points. Masters won't get a maximum next time, so we'll easily beat them"

Oxford's Twitter account has r/r at 4. But they had the exact opposite yesterday, so your guess is as good as mine...

Rider replacement for Jordan Jenkins again tonight... Oxford: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. R/R, 5. Scott Nicholls, 6. Henry Atkins, 7. Ryan Kinsley Poole: 1. Steve Worrall, 2. Anders Rowe, 3. Ben Cook, 4. Zach Cook, 5. Richard Lawson, 6. Kyle Newman, 7. Adam Roynon

I wasn't there, but it seemed like a strange decision not to put Gilkes out in heat 15, no? Not sure it would have made much difference, but he only dropped one point to an opposing rider all night - might as well give yourself the best possible chance of getting a 5-1, as I don't think Howarth and Worrall were ever going to get the better of Masters and Nicholls.

He's certainly flying at the moment. I had serious doubts about him in this team at this level, but he's proved me wrong - in style. Averaging 5.27 so far this season (across all comps).

Rider replacement for Jenkins tonight

Kerr back at 3, but guessing Jenkins might be a doubt after injuring his wrist at Belle Vue tonight. Plymouth: 1. Kyle Howarth, 2. Ben Morley, 3. Ben Barker, 4. Dan Gilkes, 5. Richie Worrall, 6. Jake Turner, 7. Ben Trigger Oxford: 1. Sam Masters, 2. Cameron Heeps, 3. Lewis Kerr, 4. Jordan Jenkins, 5. Scott Nicholls, 6. Henry Atkins, 7. Ryan Kinsley

Should have joined him Steve. You're long overdue a visit!

Don’t think it’s quite as simple as that. If it’s just a battle of the reserves, Poole win.

Oxford have confirmed that Lewis Kerr is fit and will ride, so the team should be at full strength with Heeps as well. Not sure where Kerr will ride though, presume he’ll be back at 3.

Poole always run Oxford close at Sandy Lane because of Kyle Newman. He's already a strong reserve, but he rides exceptionally well at Oxford having spent time there last year. He's top scored for Poole on both visits already this season (paid 14 and paid 13). Crazy scores for a reserve.

Weaker than Turner and Trigger at Plymouth?

Yeah, maybe I am being a bit harsh on him. It just feels like his form is starting to desert him a bit - scoring has dried up in the Champ after a positive start and he’s definitely struggling a bit more in the NDL as well. Not sure there is a better solution out there, mind. As you say, you probably can’t realistically expect much more from a 2 pointer in the Championship.

Great result for Oxford, but Kinsley’s form is a little concerning in my opinion. He started well, but seems to be struggling at the moment, and is a definite weak link. With no sign of a Killeen return any time soon, I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite Oxford in a close match.

A 5-1 that keeps Berwick in the top 6!

But 5-1s to Oxford in 1, 5 and 11?

Draw for the final... 1 Nathan Ablitt, 2 Sam Hagon, 3 Ben Trigger, 4 Max Perry, 5 Jake Mulford, 6 Joe Thompson, 7 Dan Thompson, 8 Ace Pijper, 9 Vinnie Foord, 10 Jody Scott, 11 Elliot Kelly, 12 Sam McGurk, 13 Mickie Simpson, 14 Harry McGurk, 15 Ashton Boughen, 16 Freddy Hodder. Reserves: 17 Luke Harrison, 18 Max James. Dan Thompson slight favourite for this?

Then it'll be your loss because some of the NDL stuff has been superb so far this season. After a bad start (and it was a really bad start), I thought the meeting improved. I saw quite a few overtakes, so not sure what you were watching. Admittedly it was often because a lesser rider got out in front of a heat leader, but it there was never going to be any overtakes the other way around was there. Plus there was plenty of close racing. I can see why the delay at the start was frustrating, but they apologised often enough about it. Mistakes happen. Most of the people I spoke to were happy to forgive and forget, and just enjoy the evening. After all the meeting still finished by 9.45pm, so was only 20mins ish later than usual. It's certainly the only time I've known it happen at Oxford, so give them another chance.

But you can spend the day in Oxford beforehand, which is a far nicer city!

Is that right? Or have they simply got Kerr and Heeps the wrong way around?

Those were the days!! No, don't really need cash. Programme is £3 if you want one and is mainly cash only, but think you can buy one from the club shop with a card. Not sure if any of the mobile fast food stores accept cash, mind. You can park for free at the Unipart car park, but you need to book it (can risk just turning up and parking, I think some have done in the past and it's been fine, but never done it myself). Think it's pretty easy to book on the Oxford website. The car park is about a 5/10min walk from the stadium, but there's also a shuttle bus. There's also a Tesco superstore round the corner (10/15min walk) and you can park for free for 3 hours I think. No real food outlets around the stadium, other than what's inside. There's a Burger King at the same place as the Tesco superstore, and you can get a meal at the Beefeater connected to the the Premier Inn (other side of the roundabout from the Tesco). Hope you enjoy the visit!

Oxford full strength - bar Luke Killeen - and Birmingham have Drew Kemp guesting. An easy Cheetahs win? Oxford Cheetahs: Sam Masters, Cameron Heeps, Lewis Kerr, Jordan Jenkins, Scott Nicholls, Henry Atkins, Ryan Kinsley. Birmingham Brummies: Nick Morris, Alfie Bowtell, Dan Thompson, Drew Kemp (G), Justin Sedgmen, Joe Thompson, James Pearson

What a strange take. He clearly made some odd decisions (especially Sedgmen), and can therefore see why some Birmingham fans were asking for him to be replaced. Those strange decisions didn't cost Birmingham matches, but they certainly didn't help either. Results aren't going to instantly improve, but every little helps, no? Some time out will probably do Rogers some good as well, and I hope he makes a swift recovery.

None of them as good as Jenkins in my opinion, especially this year. Jenkins and Thompson have been picked as a rising star, whereas Bailey was overlooked. Just looking at 2023 averages (rolling for the Champ), Jenkins stands out... NDL Jordan Jenkins – 11.04 Connor Bailey – 10.25 Dan Thompson – 10.13 Alfie Bowtell – 9.26 Max Clegg - TBC Champ Jordan Jenkins – 6.43 Dan Thompson – 5.88 Alfie Bowtell – 5.27 Connor Bailey – 4.81 Max Clegg – 4.60 Prem Dan Thompson – 4.00 Jordan Jenkins – 3.94 And if it was still in doubt, Jenkins is also the National Development League Riders' Champion.

I very much doubt whoever drove him up, would just let him leave and drive him back if they didn’t agree with him! Read into what you will. Young riders are usually influenced by their elder guardians. Henry Atkins was a lot like this, heavily influenced by his father and that often backfired for him. Thankfully, Atkins seems to have grown up now and is starting to show some potential.