THE Oxford Silver Machine Academy clinched the Conference League title last night, with 51-45 and 54-39 wins over Weymouth and Newport respectively.

It capped a season to savour for the youngsters, whose captain Craig Branney received the trophy from Conference League co-ordinator Peter Morrish.

Against the Wildcats, Oxford leapt into a ten-point lead after seven heats.

Kyle Hughes then thwarted two tactical rides from Weymouth's Lewis Bridger and Tom Brown in heats eight and ten, winning both, only for disaster to strike in heat 12 when he lost a primary chain.

He slammed into the fence, sustaining a broken collarbone in the process.

It ruled out him from the second match against Newport Mavericks, and led a reshuffle, with Scott Courtney introduced at the expense of the rider replacement facility.

Oxford moved into an early 27-15 advantage before Newport hit back to close the gap to one point by heat nine.

However, a 5-1 from Craig Branney and Chris Mills in heat 13 left Oxford on the brink, then a further maximum heat advantage from Courtney and Sam Martin saw the side home.