Oxford Cheetahs 41, Peterborough 49: Oxford Cheetahs gave it their all, but it wasn't enough against championship chasing Peterborough Panthers in a thrilling clash at Oxford Stadium last night.

The home side came up against three world-class riders in Hans Andersen, Ryan Sullivan and Niels Kristian Iversen, who were all able to take an extra ride in place of the injured Jesper Jensen. They reaped a rich harvest, scoring 40 of the Panthers 49 points.

Oxford were hit with more misfortune as Lubos Tomicek aggravated his shoulder after just one ride in heat two and the pain was such that he couldn't hold on to second spot, giving the Panthers an early boost.

The young Czech took no further part in the meeting, putting them on the back-foot from the off.

Oxford couldn't get a rider in front until heat six when the ever-dependable Todd Wiltshire ended the drought.

By then, the Panthers had zoomed eight points ahead and Cheetahs had plenty to do to get back in the meeting.

However, Wiltshire's success sparked a revival and after Sullivan had his third win on the trot, Eric Andersson and Davey Watt brought Cheetahs back on level terms with a superb maximum in heat eight.

Iversen was lucky to get away with light injuries after a nasty crash in heat seven as he tried to go through a non-existent gap and came down hard after hitting the fence.

At the time, Cheetahs were holding a 5-1, but as often happens, Sullivan hit the gate in the re-run and the points were shared.

Soon after the break, Ales Dryml took great delight in lowering the colours of Danish Grand Prix champion Andersen, who was unbeaten after three rides at that point.

At 33-33 with still four heats to go, it was thrilling stuff.

Andersson incurred the wrath of Sullivan at the start of heat 12 as the Australian ended up on the deck, with referee Chris Durno ordering all four back for the re-start. The pair clashed again, resulting in another start, with Sullivan gesturing to the referee.

The fans were up in arms as Andersson was eventually thrown out by Durno after he cut under Hall, who went flying.

In the fourth attempt to get heat 12 under way, David Howe gated for the fourth time and swept the floor with the aggrieved Sullivan.

The Panthers struck a big blow soon after, going four points ahead with two heats left.

Andersson was out for his seventh ride and both he and Skornicki could not match Iversen, leaving Cheetahs needing a 5-1 in the final showdown to force a draw.

However, Andersen and Iversen repeated their heat 13 success, and it was all over.

Oxford: Wiltshire 9, Dryml 8, Howe 6+1, Skornicki 6+1, Andersson 6+3, Watt 5+3, Tomicek 1. 41pts.

Peterborough: Andersen 17, Sullivan 13, Iversen 10+4, Hall 5+1, Ostergaard 2+1, Thomson 2+1. 49pts.