The cracking display against Peterborough has given everyone real hope for the season.
Cheetahs may have fallen just short in a 46-43 defeat, but that is no mean feat against the champions.
Freddie Eriksson was the star turn for Cheetahs with a paid 13 points - easily his best for the club - while there was solid back-up from Pepe Protasiewicz and Jesper Jensen.
One encouraging sign this season has been the contribution made by Steve Johnston.
In the two meetings so far, he has proved a solid middle-order man, and once Ales Dryml gets back into the groove, they will be a force to be reckoned with round Sandy Lane.
It proved a tough job to get the track back into tip-top shape for the meeting, however.
The surface was in great condition during practice and for the first meeting against Belle Vue, but suffered from the England v Denmark Under 21 international when ridden in wet and cold conditions.
It was all hands on deck in a bid to get the surface raceable - Colin Meredith quitting as track janitor didn't help the situation - but they got going only 20 minutes after the advertised start time.
Despite the encouraging result, Johnston was disappointed not to start the season with a victory.
"I really wanted to win this meeting," he said afterwards.
"Freddie showed us what he can do, but we all need to fire at the same time.
"It took us all a while to get used to the track, which was very different from last week.
"I'm gutted we lost, but it was a much better perform- ance. I'm happy riding with Ales and when it all comes together we will have a good side.
"Off the track we are a happy unit, now we must get it together on the track."
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