GRESHAM Oxford Cheetahs were really fired up for their excellent victory over Eastbourne in speedway's Craven Shield at Arlington.

Promoter Steve Purchase said: "With Craig Boyce back we were pretty confident we could turn them over, and we did despite Craig having an off night.

"Perhaps he still isn't over the chicken pox, but it was an excellent speedway meeting."

I certainly couldn't remember the last time Cheetahs were successful at fortress Arlington, and, in fact, 1991 was the last time Oxford won on the Sussex coast.

The Eastbourne management changed the shape of the track during the winter and have come in for plenty of criticism along the way.

But Purchase said: "I can't see what the fuss is all about. In my opinion the much-maligned track rode very well, and our lads certainly appreciated it.

"Paul Hurry did very well and Steve Johnston was back to form. Lawrence Hare added steel to the bottom end and poor Alun Rossiter blew one engine in a race and another while it was on the stand in the pits!" The two rain-offs at Oxford over the last two weeks have not helped the bank balance of Oxford speedway.

Each postponement costs a few hundred pounds because you have to pay certain officials who turn up.

With Eastbourne, who had arrived at the Stadium two weeks ago, their travelling costs have to be paid.

And Oxford will have to fork out again when they turn up for the re-run as the home club pay for the away side. It can cost the promotion well over £1,000 if the meeting is called off before six heats are completed.

Purchase, however, is not too downhearted as there are still a lot of positive signs on the team front.

"Other teams are strength- ening up now, but I still think we have a team capable of inflicting damage," he said.

"We are a very capable side, but make no mistake they will all have to raise the stakes from now on because the going will definitely get tougher."

CHEETAHS' Elite League fixtures don't get under way until May 26 with a visit to Hull Vikings.

Story date: Thursday 29 April

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.