Oxford Cheetahs 42, Scunthorpe Scorpions 47

Gallant Oxford Cheetahs had no answer to one of Britain's brightest prospects as teenager Tai Woffinden romped to a paid 18 point maximum to put the Scorpions in the driving seat in the first leg at the Stadium last night.

He made his mark from the off, and despite being headed several times by the Oxford riders, always came though with plenty to spare.

Oxford needed a cushion to take to Normanby Road tomorrow for the second leg, but it was never on the cards as Joe Haines and reserve Byron Bekker, backed Woffinden to the hilt.

The worst possible start for Cheetahs saw Woffinden and Haines outsmart Lee Smethills and Kyle Hughes.

And just as it looked as though Brendan Johnson and Scott Campos would redress the balance, Johnson went wide allowing all three riders to pass him.

Oxford fell down on the reserve front with Scott Campos managing only four points, while the Scorpions pair rattled up an impressive 11 between them.

It could have been worse for Cheetahs as Josh Auty missed the meeting after crashing at Redcar the night before, forcing the visitors to use rider- replacement.

Oxford were always behind, but in heat 10 Hughes came with a great run to pip Byron Becker on the line to earn a 5-1 with Smethills and they led for the first time on the night, 31-28.

But their hopes were short-lived as Woffinden and Haines slammed in another maximum.

After two drawn heats with the score at 38-39, with two heats to come, another 5-1 from Becker and James Cockle proved just too much.

Oxford: Smethills 10+1, Bargh 9, Hughes 7+2, Betson 7+1, Martin 5, Campos 4, Johnson 0. 42 pts.

Scunthorpe: Woffinden 17+1, Haines 10+2, Bekker 10, Compton 5+1, Cockle 4+1, Richardson 1+1. 47 pts.

  • Jordan Frampton returns to the Cheetahs side tomorrow.

Oxford:(from) Smethills, Hughes, Bargh, Frampton, Martin, Betson, Campos, Johnson.