PETER SCHROECK praised Oxford Cheetahs’ character after a last-race maximum at Newcastle Diamonds earned their first away win since returning to the sport.

Skipper Scott Nicholls and talented young Brit Jack Thomas paired up in heat 15 to register the visitors’ sixth race advantage of the evening and secure a 48-41 victory.

Cheetahs lost 59-31 at Berwick Bandits 24 hours earlier, so Schroeck was delighted with his riders’ response as they picked up four points to go fifth in the SGB Championship.

“The atmosphere and the attitude of the boys was mind-blowing,” said Schroeck, who is part of the club’s management team.

“Everyone was really up for it, and to pick up maximum points on the road is great for the team.

“It was tough at Berwick, which is a difficult track to go to. They’ve got some home track specialists who made it very hard for us.

“But, picking up four points from those two meetings is a great achievement, hopefully we can carry that momentum forwards to Wednesday against Redcar.”

Cheetahs were without Cameron Heeps in the north east, although the Australian will be back for this week's KO Cup opener at home to Redcar Bears.

Nicholls and Thomas weighed in with 12+1 and 13+2 points hauls respectively, while American Dillon Ruml starred at reserve with a match-winning 11+2 return.

There were also race wins for Kyle Newman and Troy Batchelor.

It followed a difficult evening at Berwick, who took the first two heats 5-1 and never looked back.

Cheetahs only managed three race wins, with one going to Nicholls as he totalled 10+1.

Nathan Stoneman and Ruml were the other victors on the night.

Berwick reserve Jye Etheridge scored a paid maximum (11+1), while Ricky Wells topped the charts with 12+2 and Chris Harris (12) went unbeaten until a last-race mechanical failure.

Tickets for Cheetahs’ clash against Redcar are still on sale, with tapes up at 7.30pm.

BERWICK V OXFORD SCORERS

BERWICK 59: Ricky Wells 12+2, Chris Harris 12, Jye Etheridge 11+1, Theo Pijper 9+1, Leon Flint 6+1, Ty Proctor 5+1, Kyle Bickley 4+2.

OXFORD 31: Scott Nicholls 10+1, Nathan Stoneman 6+1, Troy Batchelor 6, Kyle Newman 6, Jack Thomas 2, Dillon Ruml 1+1, Cameron Heeps r/r.

Championship points: Berwick 3, Oxford 0.

NEWCASTLE V OXFORD SCORERS

NEWCASTLE 41: Richie Worrall 10+1, James Wright 10, Max Clegg 7+2, Matthew Wethers 5+1, Tom Brennan 4+1, Lee Complin 4, George Congreve 1.

OXFORD 48: Jack Thomas 13+2, Scott Nicholls 12+1, Dillon Ruml 11+2, Kyle Newman 7, Troy Batchelor 5+1, Nathan Stoneman 0, Cameron Heeps r/r.

Championship points: Newcastle 0, Oxford 4.