OXFORD Cheetahs lifted themselves off the foot of the table, after picking up the aggregate bonus point at Eastbourne on Saturday, despite losing 43-31 in a match curtailed by rain.

And the hero for Oxford was new Swede Ricky Kling, who revelled in the wet conditions late in the meeting.

Niels-Kristian Iversen, due to guest for Ales Dryml, was forced to withdraw after feeling the after-effects of a crash on Friday night.

With no other top-line guests available, Cheetahs had to track Premier League rider Tom P Madsen at No 1.

Lubos Tomicek was missing due to a Czech Extraleague commitment and Shaun Tacey stepped into the breach.

The meeting started badly for Cheetahs, with the hosts charging into a 27-9 lead after six heats.

Pepe Protasiewicz and Steve Johnston halted the slide by following home Davey Watt in a shared heat seven.

What had been drizzle turned to rain during heat eight.

Eastbourne's Lewis Bridger fell while leading, allowing Tacey and Freddie Eriksson to take a fortuitous share of the spoils.

It then hammered down, and an abandonment looked likely.

However, the Eastbourne track staff set to work with the sawdust and eventually racing resumed.

Kling showed no fear in the treacherous conditions and won heat nine by a street, ahead of the previously unbeaten Watt.

There appeared to be a little kidology from experienced campaigners Protasiewicz and Johnston in heat ten.

The two Oxford riders appeared reluctant to come out, but then blitzed Eastbourne youngsters Bridger and Edward Kennett from the start and took a 5-1.

Former Oxford rider Stefan Andersson won heat 11, despite a brave chase by young Kling.

Protasiewicz was nominated for double points in heat 12, and although the Pole could not find a route past Watt, the resultant 5-3 sealed the bonus point.

Referee Chris Gay then brought proceedings to a halt, and congratulated both sets of riders for their efforts in difficult conditions.

Cheetahs are now one point ahead of Belle Vue - the team they beat in a humdinger of a meeting at Cowley on Friday - in the table.

Eastbourne: Watt 14, Bridger 9+1, Andersson 6, Kennett 5+1, Harding 5, Lanham 4+2, Norris R/R. 43 pts.

Oxford: Protasiewicz 10, Kling 8+1 Johnston 7+2, Madsen 2+1, Eriksson 2+1, Tacey 2, Jensen R/R. 31 pts.