Oxford Cheetahs came close to shocking the reigning Champions once again as they put up a much improved away display when losing 50-42 at Brandon last night.

Aaron Lanney's men went six points up in the early stages and forced a last-heat decider before missing out on both match and bonus points.

Coventry lost Morten Risager when he fell and was clipped by Freddie Eriksson in heat three. Cheetahs took maximum points in the re-run.

Eric Andersson emerged unscathed from a spectacular pre-race flip before heat four, which left him badly winded and excluded from the race for exceeding the time allowance.

Schlein overhauled the fast-starting Todd Wiltshire to win heat five, but Oxford still held a four-point advantage until maximum man Scott Nicholls teamed up with Martin Smolinski for a 5-1 in heat seven.

Davey Watt (pictured) superbly came from third to first in heat eight to keep Cheetahs level, but Paul Clews, guesting for the unavailable Lubos Tomicek, was unfortunate to fall under the challenge of Oliver Allen in the next race.

When Coventry recorded two more 5-1s they looked favourites to win the meeting.

But Oxford kept within range for the bonus point and gave themselves a chance with a 5-1 of their own from Eric Andersson and Eriksson in heat 14.

Oxford needed a 5-1 from the last race to snatch a draw, but it was Coventry, who took their own maximum.

But the events of the last three days will leave Cheetahs in far greater heart for the matches which lie ahead.

Coventry: S Nicholls 15, R Schlein 10+1, O Allen 10, C Harris 6+1, B Janniro 5+2, M Smolinski 4+2, M Risager 0.

Oxford: T Wiltshire 11, D Howe 9+1, D Watt 6+2, A Skornicki 6, F Eriksson 4+2, E Andersson 4+1, P Clews 2.