WOLVERHAMPTON Wolves won a closely-contested BetGoodwin Four Team Tournament at the BetGoodwin Oxford Stadium last night (Wednesday) – the concluding speedway action at Cowley this season.

It was third time lucky for the event, which had fallen twice to the weather in the last week. There was light rain up to lunchtime, but the track had already been packed down, and produced good racing in front of a healthy crowd. The meeting saw a one-off resurrection for three famous but currently defunct speedway tracks – Swindon, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

The select from Wolverhampton – managed by 1993 World Champion Sam Ermolenko – were level on points with Swindon entering the decisive Heat 16. But while Swindon’s Dan Thompson pulled up after just a few metres with machinery problems, Wolverhampton’s Leon Flint streaked away to complete an immaculate 12-point-maximum.

One of the keys to Wolves’ success was the consistent scoring of Oxford Charger Arran Butcher, who picked up a point in every outing. The Real Mini Company Oxford Chargers powered by AW Mobbs had a lap of honour prior to the meeting, to celebrate winning the 2025 WSRA National League.

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies led after the first batch of four races. But Cheetahs suffered a hammer blow when Luke Killeen – who had previously won Heat 4 – crashed out with a scaphoid injury to his wrist in Heat 7. Both Wolverhampton and Swindon pulled level after the re-run of that race.

Coventry finished adrift in fourth place, but their No 1 Chris Harris overtook Jason Edwards to take the honours in the concluding individual race.

Speaking after the meeting, Oxford manager Peter Schroeck – who put together the line-up for the event – said: “Tonight, it was all about everyone having a good time. Everyone was in good spirits – you could see that in the bar after the meeting. A big thank you to BetGoodwin for sponsoring the meeting.

“The weather held up and there was a decent crowd – thank you to all of the supporters who came out on a cold night. It’s given us a positive end to what has been, at times, a very tough season. A big thing for us was the chance for the Chargers to go around tonight with their trophy and they did that in their trademark style on the golf buggy.

“Luke Killeen was in the bar after the meeting, but he’s going to hospital tonight to be checked up. He’s flying back to Australia at the weekend, and hopefully he’s not flying home with a broken wrist. Without losing Luke, we would have been right in it and it would have been a close three-way contest.

“Thank you to Wayne Broadhurst – Max’s dad – for coming out of speedway retirement to ride for Coventry, and thanks to the fans who came from Swindon, Coventry and Wolverhampton.

“A huge thank you to everyone who has helped or contributed towards Oxford Speedway this season, and we want to come back bigger and better next year.”

After the meeting, an auction for the Race Jackets raised £3180, a proportion of which will go to the Speedway Riders’ Benevolent Fund.

Result of the BetGoodwin Four Team Tournament:

Wolverhampton Wolves Select 31: Scott Nicholls 8, Leon Flint 12, Cameron Heeps 7, Arran Butcher 4.

Swindon Robins Select 28: Dan Thompson 6, Simon Lambert 7, Jason Edwards 8, Paul Starke 7.

SD Timmo Car Sales Oxford Cheetahs powered by County Plumbing Supplies 21: Richard Lawson 11, Jody Scott 5, Luke Killeen 3, Senna Summers 2.

Coventry Bees Select 16: Chris Harris 10, Joe Thompson 4, Wayne Broadhurst 0, Ashton Vale 2.

PHOTO: Winners Wolverhampton Wolves (Image: Steve Edmunds)