PAUL Hurry powered to his best performance of the season as a rampant Gresham Cheetahs ran the Robins ragged with a 58-32 win in this Speedway S tar KO Cup clash at the Stadium last night.

The youngster paid 18 point maxiimum was easily his best of the season and a great preparation for his important British final appearance next weekend. Add also a season's best for Steve Johnston plus the usual big haul from Jason Crump and it all added to a thrashing for the Robins in this local derby.

There was really only one team in it as Cheetahs took full advantage of their weakened prey thumping home two 5-1's in the opening three heats and there was little doubt who would be cock robin on the night.

The show opened with fellow aussies Crump and Shane Parker having a battle royal before the Oxford man flew in. it was quickly followed by a tenacious ride from Lawrence Hare as he joined skipper Steve Schofield for maximum points.

What the home fans wanted to see on probably the best riding surface all season was how Hurry and Johnston would perform and they were not to be disappointed. The former was magnificent, but Johno, who had been struggling all season, was unbeaten by an opponent in his first four rides, and this was just the sort of form Steve Purchase had bought him for. The paid 17 point haul was an excellent reward .

Cheetahs were much sharper out of the gate and the first and second bend riding was of the highest order as they gave the visitors little chance. There was quite a bit of excitement with Schofield having a huge lock-up on the final bend as he and Hurry were heading for a 5-1. It was so difficult when he straightened up, he went careering over the centre green!

Then Hare was put into the fence by Swindon's best rider Leigh Adams but referee Jim Lawrence strangely thought it a fair challenge.

Hurry and Crump showed superb team riding in heat 13 before Crump sportingly waived his team mate over the line to keep his winning run on track. A great team performance overall and it could be the turning point for Cheetahs. Oxford: Hurry 17+1, Johnston 15+2, Crump 13+1, Schofield 6+1, Staechmann 5+2, Hare 2+1 58 pts.

Swindon: Adams 12, Parker 8, Karger 5, Zetterstrom 3, Masters 3, Clouting 1 32 pts.

Heat details

Heat 1: Crump, Parker, Zettrstrom, Staechmann 60.3 secs.

Heat 2: Schofield, Hare, Masters, Clouting 62.6.

Heat 3: Crump, Johnston, Zetterstrom, Adams (e/f) 60.9.

Heat 4: Hurry, Karger, Masters, Hare 59.9.

Heat 5: Johnston, Parker, Schofield, Zetterstrom 60.5.

Heat 6: Karger, Crump, Staechmann, Clouting 60.1.

Heat 7: Hurry, Adams, Schofield, Parker 60.4.

Heat 8: Adams, Staechmann, Masters, Hare 60.5.

Heat 9: Hurry, Johnston, Parker, Karger 60.9.

Heat 10: Crump, Staechmann, Adams, Karger (exc) awd'd.

Heat 11: Hurry, Parker, Zetterstrom, Schofield (exc) 62.1.

Heat 12 (re-run) Johnston, Adams, Clouting, Hare (f/exc) 61.4.

Heat 13: Hurry, Crump, Parker, Karger 62.0.

Heat 14: Adams, Johnston, Schofield, Masters 62.7.

Heat 15: Johnston, Hurry, Adams, Parker 60.4.

GRESHAM Cheetahs are back in action tomorrow night when they face the Robins at the Abbey Stadium in an Elite League clash (7.00pm) Gazzer doing report don'y forget the machine set-up.

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