1 week Ago
It is a very different side to that which reached both playoff and Knockout Cup finals last year following the non-availability of influential team skipper Scott Nicholls, who remains on the sidelines following his nasty spill in the last meeting of the season at Sandy Lane last year. It means a more balanced look to the team rather than being built around a powerful spearhead, which has allowed the Oxford management to build a team which is full of youth and potential. READ ALSO: U’s will not face further punishment after second ‘transfer ban’ in 10 months Sam Masters returns as number one and has also taken on the captaincy until Nicholls is able to return to the side.
Also rejoining from last year are Cameron Heeps, Jordan Jenkins and Luke Killeen. Heeps, the only rider to have been a Cheetah every year since the club’s return in 2022, will take on the tricky second heat leader role at number five. Masters and Heeps made a formidable pairing in heat one, often claiming maximum points in heat one and the move to number five will see Heeps paired with a reserve for three of his four programmed rides.
Killeen will start the season at reserve, however with the experience he is gaining with the Oxford Spires in the Premiership, this could be a big year for him at Championship level and I would expect him to claim a permanent main berth team spot before too long. Jenkins will join fellow British youngster Dan Gilkes as the engine room of the team at three and four. Both riders have massive ability and potential to firmly establish themselves as heat leaders at this level and will certainly provide much excitement whenever they take to the track.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) That leaves the two lesser-known riders, Dane Jonas Knudsen and the hotly tipped 17-year-old Australian Mitchell McDiarmid. Knudsen has tasted UK action in the past with spells at Berwick and Redcar, however has been unlucky with injuries which have stunted his development. A full run at Cowley could be just what he needs, and after a shaky start at the recent Ben Fund Bonanza, he looked on the pace in the latter half of the meeting.
That just leaves McDiarmid, who has raised eyebrows down under, and looks a hot prospect, performing well in the Australian Championship over the winter. Oxford: Sam Masters, Jonas Knudsen, Jordan Jenkins, Dan Gilkes, Mitchell McDiarmid, Luke Killeen. Scunthorpe: Steve Worrall, Luke Harrison, Simon Lambert, Connor Mountain, Jake Allen, Declan Kennedy, Zaine Kennedy.
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