Academy still at 100 per cent

The Monarchs Academy maintained their perfect record in this year's National Development League by beating Oxford Chargers 51-39 at Armadale. There were good performances throughout the side as usual though they were pushed perhaps harder than they expected by a visiting side deprived of the services of Darryl Ritchings, called away for a Longtrack commitment.

Home number one Jordy Loftus showed himself to be fully recovered after his recent concussion absence with a paid 12 score and he enjoyed his battles with visiting star Jody Scott. He said "It's always good to get a win. We all had mechanical issues but we got through it, we worked hard and kept pushing. I got a good jump on Jody in heat one and got the win, but in heat 13 I had an uncontrollable wheelie! In heat 15 I didn't expect him to cut back under, he surprised me going in to turn three. Fair play to him he's a good racer, but we're happy to stay unbeaten."

In the circumstances Oxford, brilliantly led by Scott with 14, did extremely well with Ashton Vale providing best backup but also plenty of potential shown by youngsters Senna Summers, Harry Fletcher and NDL debutant Casper Kluczniak, who was actually a guest for the Chargers.

There was plenty of entertaining racing. The opening heat saw quite a few changes of position after Summers initially led, and Scott came from last to finish close up with Loftus.

Jamie Halder was robbed of a heat 2 win by a bike problem when leading, which allowed Kluczniak to win what was his first ever National League race. There were also gremlins during the evening for Vinnie Foord who missed heat 5 when his time allowance ran out, and Dayle Wood who pulled out of heat 13.

There seemed to be some disagreement between Vale and Foord after heat 3, but the cause was not obvious. Vinnie's exclusion in heat 5 gave Scott and Summers the opportunity to record a 5-1 which reduced the Academy lead to 2 points, and it stayed that way until heat 8 which was a race win for Summers.

The Academy then asserted themselves with two successive 5-1s, heat 10 being the race of the night. Ashton Vale had led but Jordy Loftus swept past down the back straight. Ben Whalley then took up the chase on Vale and brilliantly took him on the outside, with Vale just missing out in his attempt to use the same line on the final turn.

Over the closing heats the Academy had too many strong men for the visitors other than Scott, and the final result wasn't in much doubt. Foord (Monarch of the Match) and Wood were strong along with Loftus, while Whalley and reserve Jamie Halder were more than useful.

Jody Scott did get the better of the home heat leaders in heats 13 and 15 though, and while the spoils went to the home side Chargers can be very satisfied with their display.

Chargers out to spoil the Academy party

The exciting and undefeated Edinburgh Academy team will take over Armadale for the next fortnight as they continue their impressive surge towards the NDL title.

This week they host Oxford Chargers in the first of two consecutive home meetings that will challenge their title credentials.

The Academy will hope to extend their lead at the top of the table in advance of a vital double-header the following Friday against their closest challengers Leicester and second-placed Buxton.

Jody Scott leads the Chargers

Before that they will need to overcome a resurgent Oxford side who have emerged as potential spoilers. Stricken by injuries early in season, the Chargers chances of retaining the title they won last year have probably gone after three losses, but they recently inflicted Leicester's first defeat of the season and have yet to face Edinburgh at home or away, so they could still have a big say in the title race.

Their captain, 19-year-old Jody Scott, is top of the NDL averages and one of the brightest rising stars in British speedway outside of Dorset. He is scoring well in all three domestic leagues, including his 'home' track King's Lynn and Redcar in the Championship. He was a British Finalist this year and could yet emulate his younger self's performances in Taekwondo, where he won national championships.

Senna Summers' strong return from a knee injury has been a big part of Oxford's revival. The son-of-a-Monarch (2008 league winner, Aaron) could be a decisive factor from No 2. Both Ashton Vale and Darryl Ritchings have guested for and against Edinburgh sides this season, with Ashton contributing to the Academy's win at King's Lynn, although he was less successful at Armadale for Oxford Cheetahs. Harry Fletcher also guested against the Monarchs at Berwick last week and looked better than his score suggests.

21-year-old Max Broadhurst will actually be the senior reserve for Oxford. His guest partner will be 15-year-old sensation Casper Kluczniak, who currently leads the 500cc British Youth Championship and is the reigning 125cc champion. The exciting youngster will be back at Armadale on Saturday 12th September and Glasgow on Sunday 13th for the next rounds.

Jordy back but Shanes Out

The Academy will be delighted to welcome back Jordy Loftus at the top of the line-up after extended concussion protocols. At Championship level, his guest replacements have included Oxford's Darryl Ritchings and two of his Academy team-mates. Vinnie Foord looked fast against Glasgow and could have scored more than 1+1 other than some difficulty getting past the 2nd bend. He has been riding well for Workington in the Championship, but remarkably will be making his first home appearance for the Academy. In two away matches he has scored 25 points out of a possible 27.

Ben Whalley is gaining Championship experience with Plymouth but has not yet been getting the scores expected. He looked fast for Edinburgh's senior side against Berwick the other week and scored 3+2 despite losing a lot of ground out of the starts. Like Vinnie, there is huge potential there if he can make some quick adjustments.

Along with another reliable Championship performer Dayle Wood, Vinnie and Ben will need to cover the rider replacement rides for the absent James Shanes. European grass track commitments are a priority for James and his unavailability for this fixture has triggered a 28-day ban, which might mean we have seen the last of him for this season.

That will also open up opportunities for Jamie Halder, who has quietly been one of the Academy's most effective performers this year, and Anika Loftus, who will be looking to turn her steady improvement into more points on her home track.

Academy fear no one

After some consistently phenomenal performances, the Academy side will fear no one and must be savouring their chances of success. Whilst they will have one eye on Leicester next week, they cannot slip up and must not underestimate Oxford.

With several exciting prospects on both sides, this could be a Friday night thriller and is not to be missed.

Edinburgh Monarchs Academy vs Oxford Chargers - Friday 4th September, 7:30pm - Armadale Stadium

ROSS COMMERCIAL FINANCE MONARCHS ACADEMY: Jordy Loftus, Ben Whalley, Rider Replacement for James Shanes, Vinnie Foord, Dayle Wood (captain), Anika Loftus, Jamie Halder. No 8 Rocco Webb.

OXFORD REAL MINI COMPANY CHARGERS: Jody Scott (captain), Senna Summers, Harry Fletcher, Ashton Vale, Darryl Ritchings, Casper Kluczniak (guest), Max Broadhurst.