Aaron Lanney admits the Good Friday lunchtime meeting against Reading was an emotional roller-coaster ride.

Oxford Cheetahs led from start to finish to win 50-44, and everyone in the home camp gave their all in front of a huge Bank Holiday crowd.

Cheetahs boss Aaron Lanney added: "I had made a joke comment after the Eastbourne meeting that if we beat the Reading Bulldogs on Friday that I would run around the track in my underpants.

"I never thought for one moment that we would pull off such a fine result, but given my passion for the club and the sponsors and supporters, I just had to keep my end of the deal.

"It really was an emotional afternoon and anyone would think we had just won the play-off final, such was the sense of relief and joy.

"The entire team played their part and adapted better to the conditions than Reading. It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff.

"To be fair we could maybe have done without the away fixture at Smallmead. Like myself, the guys were physically and emotionally drained. But we had no excuses as we were well and truly spanked by a fired-up Reading team out for revenge.

"I would like to apologise to the fans present that evening for the awful display by my team and also to congratulate Jim Lynch and his team on a quite awesome performance.

"From what I have seen of Reading so far this season, they look like a team that will clean up all the silverware in 2006."