Oxford Spires secure 48-42 win over Birmingham Brummies

In absence of their top rider Maciej Janowski, the Spires managed to offset the setback with sterling performances and secured an aggregate bonus point on Easter Monday.

Janowski, who was competing in Poland in a World Championship qualifier, was covered by his teammates who scored 6+2 in his absence.

Maciej Janowski, pictured playing for Poole Pirates, was not available for Spires (Image: Richard Crease)

Captain Chris Harris along with team member Charles Wright secured a 5-1 victory in heat one, setting the tone for the game.

The Brummies, however, countered the early setback with Scott Nicholls at reserve.

Nicholls was competing in his last appearance for Brummies as a temporary replacement for Piotr Pawlicki, before concentrating his efforts for the rest of 2024 on Oxford Cheetahs in the Championship.

They secured a 5-1 win in heat two despite a strong start by Spires' Lewis Kerr.

By heat six, Oxford Spires managed to get back in the lead with Rohan Tungate and Kerr posting another 5-1 victory.

Tungate, who top scored for Spires with 14+1, said: "It was another good meeting for us.

Oxford Spires star Rohan Tungate (Image: Oxford Speedway)

"We're all getting on well and doing our job.

"We’ve got a very well-balanced team, while all the boys put in 100 per cent effort."

Five shared races led the game into interval, including one in which Harris narrowly beat Steve Worrall for third place in heat seven, and Ashton Boughen edging past Leon Flint in heat eight following a photo finish.

After halftime, Spires reasserted their dominance with two critical 5-1 victories, one by Nicolai Klindt and Kerr in heat 12 and the other in heat 13 when Tungate overtook the pack in the first lap and won the race.

A second place finish from Wright put Spires ahead with a score of 45-33.

Despite Brummies making up some ground in the last two races, it was too late to topple Spires who secured a third consecutive win.

Tungate said: "Of course, it’s always more enjoyable when the team is winning, but it’s a good bunch of boys and that makes it enjoyable too.

"When you’ve having fun, you score points and we’d like to keep it that way."

He added: "I’m happy with my night and I was pleased with my score.

"It was the first time I’ve raced at Birmingham since 2013 when I was riding for Poole.

"I was pretty impressed with the track.

"There were plenty of racing lines and I enjoyed the meeting."