OXFORD Cheetahs were well-beaten by defending SGB Championship winners Poole Pirates on a chastening evening on the south coast.

Jason Crump’s men arrived at their first away meeting of the season buoyed by an electric opening night against Scunthorpe Scorpions 48 hours earlier.

But they could not make it back-to-back wins as Pirates showed their class to record a 58-32 victory.

READ MORE: Oxford Cheetahs riders and fans thrilled with dream return

Cheetahs have the chance to gain revenge on Wednesday when they host the defending champions at Oxford Stadium in front of another sell-out crowd.

Oxford Chargers heat leader Nathan Stoneman replaced Josh MacDonald for the trip to Poole, following the Australian's fall in Wednesday’s win over Scunthorpe.

The Greater Leys rider crossed the line second in a shared heat two, although that sandwiched a pair of 5-1s which put Pirates in control.

Captain Scott Nicholls secured the visitors’ first win in race four, as Dillon Ruml picked up a point to reduce the deficit to 15-9.

Cheetahs could not eat further into Poole’s lead as they reached the end of heat six 21-15 behind, before the champions showed their quality in the middle part of the meeting.

Four 5-1s in the following five races saw Pirates assert their dominance as they stretched their advantage to 44-22 with four to go.

There was more drama in heat 12 as Stoneman was sent over the handlebars on the home straight on lap two.

Nevertheless, the Greater Leys resident ended the night with 3+1 from his three rides.

Nicholls top-scored for Cheetahs with nine points, while Ruml added 6+3 after a solid night’s work for the American.

But they ultimately could not live with Pirates as Richard Lawson clinched a five-ride paid maximum and Steve Worrall, Danny King and Drew Kemp all reached double figures.

The result leaves Cheetahs seventh in the Championship after the weekend’s results, while Poole are fourth following their defeat to table-toppers Leicester Lions on Saturday.

SCORERS

POOLE 58: Richard Lawson 13+2, Steve Worrall 11+1, Drew Kemp 11+1, Danny King 10+1, Zach Cook 7+2, Ben Cook 6, Nathan Ablitt 0.

OXFORD 32: Scott Nicholls 9, Dillon Ruml 6+3, Jack Thomas 4+1, Kyle Newman 4, Troy Batchelor 3+2, Nathan Stoneman 3+1, Cameron Heeps 3.

Championship points: Poole 3, Oxford 0.