OXFORD Cheetahs’ play-off hopes were dealt a fatal blow as Berwick Bandits claimed a shock win at Sandy Lane.

The hosts went behind early in the meeting and never recovered, going on to lose the SGB Championship fixture 50-40.

The defeat means Cheetahs cannot finish in the top six and attention turns to the start of their Jubilee League campaign against Birmingham next Tuesday.

Berwick racked up the heat wins early on and hammered home their advantage in the middle part of the meeting.

The visitors were 28-14 ahead at the halfway stage, before Cheetahs hit back.

Aaron Summers top-scored against his former club with 12 points and they began to claw in their opponents, but it was too late.

Berwick kept Cheetahs at arm’s length to prevent a late comeback as they moved off the bottom of the Championship.

Scott Nicholls was the hosts’ second highest scorer behind Summers, while guest Adam Roynon added 3+2.

SCORERS

OXFORD 40: Aaron Summers 12, Scott Nicholls 10, Dillon Ruml 8+2, Troy Batchelor 4+1, Adam Roynon 3+2, Cameron Heeps 3, Paul Starke r/r.

BERWICK 50: Chris Harris 13+1, Jonas Knudsen 13+1, Theo Pijper 8+1, Leon Flint 8, Ricky Wells 4+2, Jye Etheridge 3, Nathan Stoneman 1.

Championship points: Oxford 0, Berwick 4.