OXFORD Cheetahs grabbed three 5-1s late on to record a 54-36 victory against Edinburgh Monarchs at Sandy Lane.

The Scottish visitors were right in the hunt during the opening stages and led by a couple of points after a 4-2 in Heat 3.

Cheetahs didn’t take the lead until a 5-1 from Ashton Boughen and Scott Nicholls in Heat 7. Luke Killeen had previously produced a late overtake on Connor Coles in Heat 4, and he again passed the same opponent in the latter stages in Heat 8, and joined Cameron Heeps for a 4-2 that moved Oxford’s lead to six points.

Aunt Sally results: Martin Cook in superb form for Gladiators

Monarchs hit back with a 5-1 in Heat 9, after introducing Craig Cook into the race as a tactical substitute. Cook was a late guest replacement for Josh Pickering, who still hasn’t returned to full fitness after a shoulder injury.

Sam Masters and Heeps restored Oxford’s six-point lead with a 5-1 in Heat 10.

Heat 13 looked a tough race, since Cook and Justin Sedgmen had only previously dropped a point between them, but as on so many previous occasions, the dynamic duo of Nicholls and Masters raised their game with a 5-1 that secured victory on the night.

Boughen completed a fine personal display with his third victory on the night in Heat 14, while Jordan Jenkins burst around the outside on the opening lap to join him for a 5-1.

Nicholls produced a brilliant ride in Heat 15. The 46-year-old went wide chasing the dirt and burst through the smallest gap to round both Cook and Sedgmen in truly breathtaking fashion, to join Masters for another 5-1.

Oxford Mail:

Both Nicholls and Boughen scored 13+1, while Masters (10+3) and Heeps (10+2) joined them on double figures.

Just four days after he scored his best score at Championship level with paid 13 at Workington, 16-year-old Boughen eclipsed that performance with paid 14.

He said: “It was another good night for me and everything seems to be coming together now.

“A big thank you to Bomber [Chris Harris] for again helping me out in the pits. The right couple of words in the right place make a big difference and goes a long way. I’m still working out things and learning the whole time.

“Also, thank you to my dad and my mechanic Wayne, I wouldn’t be where I was without them.

“We’ve changed little pieces on the bike and I’m making really good starts which helps out a lot in speedway.

“The team rode really well and we built up a nice 18-point lead which puts us in a good position for the aggregate bonus point. I’m really enjoying riding for Oxford Speedway.”