OXFORD 55 BRUMMIES 35

Wednesday June 14, 2023
NEW Birmingham boss Stewart Dickson has hinted that team changes are on the way after watching his side lose 55-35 at Oxford.

It was a fifth straight defeat in all competitions for the Curtis Sport Brummies who were again dominated by the opposition on their travels.

In the build-up to the fixture, Dickson admitted his team were going to be riding for their places at Sandy Lane - yet they only managed two heat advantages and six race winners all night.

Skipper Justin Sedgmen won three of his six outings while Nick Morris recovered from a tricky start, on a track which needed nearly 30 minutes of remedial work following the opening heat, to finish with two impressive rides.

Alfie Bowtell was the only other Brummie to take the chequered flag when he rode smartly in Heat Eight.

Dickson knew the sort of challenge he was facing but says the display at Oxford has confirmed plenty of his thoughts that existed when he took on the role earlier this week.

"It went very much as I expected to be honest," Dickson said.

"There were a couple of decent performances and a couple that were a wee bit worrying.

"I don't need to analyse the programme that much, I can see where the problems are.

"I'm going to need to get the calculator out and play around with figures because we do need to strengthen and that's now my job.

"Sometimes a rider can end up without a team place when they don't necessarily deserve that, others are sometimes more justified.

"But at this time of year, it's not that easy to just pick and choose who you want but you can trust me, I'll be looking at everything and finding the best way possible to strengthen this team up because we've got a very big meeting against Berwick next Wednesday at home."

CAB DIRECT CHAMPIONSHIP
OXFORD 55: Lewis Kerr 12, Scott Nicholls 10+1, Cameron Heeps 9+1, Sam Masters 8+2, Henry Atkins 8, Jordan Jenkins 6+3, Ryan Kinsley 2+1
BIRMINGHAM 35: Justin Sedgmen 12, Nick Morris 9, Alfie Bowtell 5, James Pearson 3+1, Dan Thompson 3, Drew Kemp 3, Joe Thompson 0
Oxford win the aggregate bonus point

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