Oxford Cheetahs showed their true grit and determination to get back to form with a rare Elite League victory at Foxhall Heath last night, as they beat Ipswich Witches 51-40.

With Brian Andersen out injured, the Cheetahs management decided to opt for rider replacement, and not use guest David Howe, as they felt that the team needed to get back on their feet on their own after Wednesday's defeat at King's Lynn.

Much discussion between management and riders took place during the day and the results could clearly be seen as Cheetahs notched their first victory in Suffolk since 1988!

The Witches drew first blood in heat one, but three heats later it all square, and after the Dryml brothers put Oxford into the lead in heat five, they never looked back.

The visitors rode a clever tactical meeting, moving four points ahead in heat seven and then six points clear in heat eight.

With Leigh Adams in his usual stunning form, there was little point the Witches introducing a tactical substitute in heat nine, but a 4-2 advantage in the tenth heat saw them cut the deficit to four.

Oxford held a 3-3 in heat 11 and then moved six points clear in the next.

Heat 13 is the big guns race, and Cheetahs virtually secured victory with a stunning 5-1 from Adams and Ales Dryml. Adams once again showed his true mettle and team-rode to perfection.

The Oxford fans were celebrating, but the Witches introduced a Golden Double tactical substitute in heat 14, which could have thrown them a lifeline.

However, Steve Johnston and Mark Lemon had other ideas, and with Johnston taking the advantage on the first bend ahead of Chris Louis, Lemon rode a stunning race to hold Scott Nicholls in last place for two complete laps. Johnston held on to secure Cheetahs victory.

Having won the corresponding fixture at Sandy Lane last Friday, Cheetahs picked up three valuable points and will be in a better frame of mind to face Eastbourne at home tonight.

Belle Vue's Jason Lyons has been booked as a guest replacement for Andersen.

**Ipswich: Louis 10, Kylmakorpi 5+1, Boyce 7, Doncaster 4+1, Nicholls 12, Lanham 0, Bunyan 2.

Oxford: A Dryml 11+1, L Dryml 9, Johnston 7+1, Adams 17, Appleton 1, Lemon 6.