Oxford Cheetahs 45, Coventry Bees 45

GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs fans were left in disbelief as the Bees stormed back to force a draw in the final heat of their Speedway Star KO Cup clash at Oxford Stadium last night.

In a cracking meeting full of spectacular action, Cheetahs let slip a 14-point lead after heat nine as the Bees started to buzz, with world champion Greg Hancock in brilliant form. It was Hancock and guest Chris Louis who forced a 5-1 in the final heat to pull off a dramatic draw for the Bees.

You couldn't have wished for a better meeting, with the racing out of the top drawer keeping a crowd of approaching 2,000 on their toes.

In a superb opening for Cheetahs, Jason Crump was at his best to get the better of Louis in the opener.

That was followed by a brilliant ride from Paul Hurry, who tracked David Walsh for three laps before steaming by, but sadly, it was all downhill for the youngster after that as he was badly hit by mechanical problems.

Scott Nicholls, who came in for the injured Jan Staech-mann, proved a revelation for the home side. First, he left Louis in his wake and then in a stirring heat 8, he zipped past the world champion.

It was riveting stuff as Cheetahs led 29-19 and they appeared to be in an unassailable position. But then Louis and Shaun Tacey, and Hancock and Stuart Robson grabbed 5-1's to bring the Bees to within six points of Cheetahs.

Heat 13 produced a classic as Crump and Louis passed each other before the Oxford No 1 gained supremacy and going into the final two heats, the home side were still edging it 42-36.

Johnston had no answer to Hancock in the penultimate heat and the fans were on a knife-edge as Crump and Nicholls were given the task of halting Hancock and Louis in the final heat. Even though Crump gated well, he was taken very wide at the second bend and the Bees pair settled into a winning position.

Oxford: Crump 14,Nicholls 11+2, Johnston 7, Hurry 5+1, Schofield 5, Hare 3+1. 45 pts. Coventry: Hancock 18+1, Louis 12+1, Robson 8+1, Tacey 4+1, Walsh 2, Andersen 1+1. 45 pts.

HEAT DETAILS

Heat 1: Crump, Louis, Nicholls, Tacey 59.9 secs.

Heat 2: Robson, Schofield, Hare, Walsh 60.8.

Heat 3: Crump, Louis, Hancock, Johnston 59.8.

Heat 4: Hurry, Walsh, Hare, Andersen 61.1.

Heat 5: Nicholls, Tacey, Johnston, Louis 60.3.

Heat 6: Crump, Nicholls, Robson, Andersen 60.3.

Heat 7: Hancock, Schofield, Louis, Hurry 60.7.

Heat 8: Nicholls, Hancock, Hare, Tacey 59.9.

Heat 9: Johnston, Hurry, Robson, Andersen 61.2.

Heat 10: Hancock, Crump, Nicholls, Walsh 60.1.

Heat 11: Louis, Tacey, Schofield, Hurry (e/f) 60.7.

Heat 12: Hancock, Robson, Johnston, Hare 60.7.

Heat 13: Crump, Louis, Andersen, Hurry (e/f) 60.4.

Heat 14: Hancock, Johnston, Robson, Schofield 61.4.

Heat 15: Hancock, Louis, Crump, Nicholls 61.9.

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