OXFORD Cheetahs will take a 12-point lead to Poole Pirates after a thrilling 51-39 victory in the first leg of the Championship grand final at Sandy Lane.

The first five races were shared, but Cheetahs pushed ahead when Cameron Heeps and Sam Masters sealed a 5-1 in Heat 6.

Cook brothers Ben and Zach overtook Jody Scott and then Scott Nicholls on the final bend for a 4-2 in Heat 7, before a re-run in Heat 8 saw Heeps and Luke Killeen streak away.

Pirates closed the gap to four points, before a fabulous opening lap by Killeen in Heat 11 saw the Australian speed round the outside and then team up with Nicholls for a 5-1 as Cheetahs went into the interval eight points clear.

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Poole hit back with a 5-1 in Heat 12, while Masters and Nicholls produced a signature masterclass to combine for a 5-1 in Heat 13.

The following race was the highlight of the night. Killeen led, before he and Zach Cook exchanged places several times, with the Pirates rider finally clinching it on the final lap, but only after another stellar effort from Killeen, who finished his night with a superb 12+1 tally.

Meanwhile, Dan Gilkes fought past Tobias Thomsen for a precious extra point to ensure the 3-3.

Nicholls and Masters took a closing 5-1 in Heat 15, with Masters fending off both Richard Lawson and Zach Cook to complete a paid maximum (12+3).