{"id":1983,"date":"2024-03-15T12:48:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T12:48:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/speedwayhub.com\/?p=1983"},"modified":"2024-03-15T12:48:45","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T12:48:45","slug":"harris-leads-oxford-spires-to-opening-night-victory-oxford-spires-v-birmingham-brummies-results","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/speedwayhub.com\/harris-leads-oxford-spires-to-opening-night-victory-oxford-spires-v-birmingham-brummies-results\/","title":{"rendered":"Harris leads Oxford Spires to opening night victory – Oxford Spires V Birmingham Brummies – Results"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oxford Spires skipper Chris Harris led his new side to a narrow opening-night Premiership win over Birmingham \u2013 after the Brummies had threatened an incredible fightback.<\/p>\n

Harris came from the back in Heats 14 and 15 to see the Cowley outfit home 47-43, with the visitors initially gating on a 5-1 in the finale which would have drawn the contest and set up a Super Heat.<\/p>\n

The hosts roared into a 25-11 lead after six races in a meeting which went ahead despite heavy rain in the build-up, but the Brummies charged back and cut the gap to two points with two heats remaining.<\/p>\n

Harris made the difference with 13 points, whilst recent Birmingham signing Scott Nicholls also showed his class with 11+1 and visiting skipper Steve Worrall picked up 11.<\/p>\n

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: \u201cCredit to both teams, Birmingham really put up a fight and failed to give in. We had to dig deep but the boys showed that determination which is a great quality in any team. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cConditions were as good as we could\u2019ve wished for considering the weather. The track staff did a fantastic job preparing the surface and ensuring it could handle the forecast rain which arrived before the meeting. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAll in all, it was a positive night and we can look forward to Sheffield next week and another tough challenge.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Harris<\/p>\n

Brummies manager Sam Ermolenko said: \u201cThe venue had a lot of water on it, we hadn\u2019t had much track time whereas the Oxford riders had been on their track on Wednesday.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cBut to be fair to the guys, everybody pulled together and showed that the determination is there and to me that counts a lot – I\u2019m very proud.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the riders had some good rides and were pretty comfortable, some of the riders struggled a little bit; I don\u2019t want to single anyone out good or bad after the first meeting, but I think there\u2019s room for everybody to improve and that\u2019s not a bad thing on opening night, it\u2019s encouraging.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Words and Scorcard by British Speedway – Images by Les Aubrey<\/strong><\/p>\n

Full Scorecard<\/strong><\/p>\noxford_14.03.24_res (1)<\/a>\n