Oxford Cheetahs have finally cracked it after beating both the rain and Belle Vue to chalk up their first Elite League win at the Stadium last night.

In the end, victory in this basement battle was all down to the second strings who at last showed that just a little help can make a big difference.

The Dryml brothers, Ales and Lukas, were celebrating along with the Oxford fans when both roared to their first Elite League victories.

Ales looked a world-beater as he outgated his rivals to win heat five in terrific style. However, on a damp track with drizzle falling, it was a nip and tuck affair in the early stages between two teams who had yet to score a league point this season.

Todd Wiltshire found Peter Nahlin too hot to handle in the opener.

Oxford edged ahead thanks to that superb win from Ales Dryml in heat five, but Kevin Doolan and Andy Smith pull the vistors level at 21-21 after seven heats.

Heat ten provided a great chance for Cheetahs to get in front as Wiltshire and Roman Povazhny swept into the lead, but the Russian twice went wide allowing both Andy Smith and Doolan through. Povazhny fought back to gain third spot.

With the rain driving down on the Sandy Lane circuit, once heat 12 was run, the result would stand. In a crowded start, Danny Bird got the edge with Smith and Lukas Dryml driving hard on the outside where the latter two came close together and both hit the deck along with Bird.

Smith was the culprit and was excluded by referee Graham Flint.

There was a ten-minute delay to inspect the track, but both team managers were keen to keep the action going.

Eventually, heat 12 was rerun, with Bird romping away with a big advantage. Ales Dryml kept at him and Bird cruelly suffered engine problems and dropped out, leaving the Dryml brothers to sweep to a 5-0 victory.

Most people thought that would be that, but the riders to their credit kept going.

The home fans were looking to clinch victory in heat 13, especially as Jason Lyons had been excluded under the two-minute rule.

But Nahlin had other ideas and easily put Wiltshire and Jimmy Nilsen in their places. However, that all important first victory came in the penultimate heat as skipper Steve Johnston and Lukas Dryml tied up the points with a 4-2 win over the lone Ace Doolan.