John Gaisford reports on Oxford Cheetahs' victory over Poole Pirates by 54 points to 36.

CHEETAHS took full advantage of a decimated Pirates team to chalk up two significant points in their fight to make the Elite League play-offs at Oxford Stadium on Friday night.

Confusion reigned as both teams were hit by late withdrawals.

Both were already short due to world championship commitments and injuries, and when world title favourite Tony Rickardsson was laid low with flu and Ales Dryml had to back out after aggravating a shoulder in the Czech Republic on Wednesday, the meeting had a farcical look.

Referee Graham Flint fined the Poole outfit £250 for tracking an under-strength team, despite the fact they tried at least 21 riders to fill the No 2 spot.

Oxford co-promoter Steve Purchase said: "It's sad to have three regular riders out of each team, but to their credit, we had some cracking racing."

He also intimated that a couple of changes in the Cheetahs side are on the way.

It looked easy for the home side, but it wasn't until heat eight that Cheetahs managed to put daylight between them at 27-21.

That signalled a tactical sub for the visitors, but Mark Lemon blotted out any advantage with a super trap and with Steve Johnston roaring in from last spot to take Sam Tesar, Cheetahs increased their advantage.

Skipper Johnston was in good form and saw off the strong pairing of Tesar and Walasek to put Cheetahs ahead 40-32 at the break, and a maximum in the final heat saw the meeting end on a high for the home fans.

Oxford: Adams 13, Lemon 11+2, Johnston 11, Ermolenko 10+2, Watt 7, Appleton 2+2. 54pts.

Poole: Havelock 12+1, Walasek 11, Tesar 6+1, Staszewski 6+1, Chrzanowski 1+1. 36pts.

HEAT DETAILS

Heat 1: Watt, Havelock, Adams, Only three ran. 60.8 secs.

Heat 2: Staszewski, Lemon, Appleton, Chrzanowski (exc 2 mins). 59.6.

Heat 3: Johnston, Walasek, Havelock, Watt (f/exc). 59.9.

Heat 4: (re-run) Tesar, Ermolenko, Staszewski, Appleton. 60.2.

Heat 5: Johnston, Havelock, Lemon, Only three ran. 59.8.

Heat 6: Adams, Tesar, Watt, Chrzanowski. 59.2.

Heat 7: Walaseki, Ermolenko, Staszewski, Appleton. 59.9.

Heat 8: Watt, Lemon, Staszewski, Chrzanowski. 61.4.

Heat 9: (re-run) Lemon, Havelock, Johnston, Tesar. 60.7.

Heat 10: Adams, Walaserk, Chrzanowski, Watt. 59.9.

Heat 11: Havelock, Ermolenko, Appleton. Only three ran. 60.4

Heat 12: Johnston, Walasek, Tesar, Lemon. 60.9.

Heat 13: Adams, Ermolenko, Havelock, Tesar. 59.9.

Heat 14: Lemon, Walasek, Johnston, Staszewski. 61.4.

Heat 15: Adams, Ermolenko, Havelock, Tesar. 60.7.