JT/FOX Oxford Cheetahs put on a stunning display at Brandon on Saturday night, beating the Bees by ten points to move to within two points of Elite League leaders Poole Pirates

Oxford stormed ahead in the first heat thanks to a superb start from Brian Andersen, who rode an impeccable race to see off the challenge of top Bee Greg Hancock. With Lukas Dryml battling for third, the Cheetahs took a lead they were never to surrender.

Ales Dryml silenced the home fans at Coventry with a superb ride in heat 12

Coventry did draw level in heat three after Andreas Jonsson got his nose ahead of Steve Johnston, and a battling display from Coventry's Lee Richardson saw him edge past Todd Wiltshire.

But Oxford were in no mood to surrender and heat four set the tone for the rest of the match when Ales Dryml and Leigh Adams flew from the start, ahead of Billy Hamill. Another superb display of team-riding from the Cheetahs pair saw them thwart all Hamill's efforts.

Oxford continued piling on the pressure and by heat eight they were eight points ahead.

The Coventry management quickly brought in Hancock as a tactical substitute and although he picked up the win, the Dryml brothers packed the places to hold the Bees to a drawn heat. It was a close-run affair and Lukas only missed out on first place by half a wheel.

The final insult for the Bees came in heat 12. Cheetahs were still six points up and Coventry put in two tactical substitutes in the shape of Andreas Jonsson and Hamill.

A vintage gating display from Wiltshire saw him take the lead, with Jonsson and Hamill in pursuit. On the final lap, Ales Dryml rode out of his skin to sneak underneath the American ace, silencing the home fans and giving Cheetahs an eight-point advantage.

Once again, it was Johnston who sealed the match for Oxford. A tight first bend saw him edge ahead and the Bees knew it was all over.

The visitors nearly pulled off a final-heat maximum, but a spirited display from Hamill saw him take second on the line, denying Adams the honour of top-scoring on the night and handing it to Johnston.

Coventry: G Hancock 8+1, B Janniro 2, L Richardson 6+1, A Jonsson 10, B Hamill 9, F Eriksson 2+2, S Robson 3+1.

Oxford B Andersen 4+1, L Dryml 8, T Wiltshire 7, S Johnston 12, L Adams 11, A Appleton 1, A Dryml 7+2.

HEAT-BY-HEAT DETAILS: Heat 1: Andersen, Hancock, L Dryml, Janniro. 62.3 secs.

Heat 2: A Dryml, Robson, Eriksson, Appleton. 62.3.

Heat 3: Jonsson, Johnston, Richardson, Wiltshire. 62.6.

Heat 4: Adams, A Dryml, Hamill, Robson. 63.0.

Heat 5: Richardson, L Dryml, Andersen, Jonsson. 62.9.

Heat 6: Adams, Janniro, Appleton, Hancock (ef). 63.0.

Heat 7: Wiltshire, Hamill, Johnston, Eriksson. 62.8.

Heat 8: Hancock, L Dryml, A Dryml, Janniro. 63.0.

Heat 9: Jonsson, Richardson, Adams, Appleton. 63.4.

Heat 10: Johnston, Hancock, Wiltshire, Janniro. 63.5.

Heat 11: L Dryml, Hamill, Eriksson, Andersen. 63.7.

Heat 12: Wiltshire, Jonsson, A Dryml, Hamill. 63.6.

Heat 13: Adams, Hamill, Hancock, Andersen. 63.2.

Heat 14: Johnston, Jonsson, Robson, A Dryml. 63.5.

Heat 15: Johnston, Hamill, Adams, Jonsson. 63.4.