Oxford ended their wait for senior silverware in dramatic fashion at Poole on Wednesday night as Sam Masters and Anders Rowe produced a superb team performance to win the 2026 Championship Best Pairs.
The Cheetahs topped the qualifying standings at Wimborne Road before overcoming Glasgow in the semi-finals and defeating Berwick 6-3 in the Grand Final.
It marked Oxford’s first senior trophy since speedway returned to the city in 2022 and provided a major high at the end of what has been a difficult Championship campaign for the club.
Masters and Rowe were the standout pairing throughout the meeting, remarkably avoiding a single last place across their six outings.
Oxford top qualifying
The Oxford duo set the standard during the qualifying heats, accumulating 26 points under the 4-3-2-0 scoring system.
That put them three points clear of home favourites Poole on 23, while Berwick scored 20 and Glasgow 19 to secure the remaining two semi-final places.
Scunthorpe and Plymouth both finished on 17 points, with Redcar on 16, Edinburgh 14 and Workington 10.
Masters contributed 14 of Oxford’s points with Rowe adding 12, as the pair recorded two maximum 7-2 advantages and two 6-3 heat wins.
Oxford see off Glasgow
Having already beaten Glasgow 6-3 in Heat 16, Oxford faced the Tigers again in the opening semi-final.
Masters made the start and went on to take the victory, while Chris Harris moved into second.
With second and third enough to progress under the Pairs scoring system, Rowe held the crucial third position ahead of Leon Flint to secure another 6-3 Oxford victory and a place in the Grand Final.
Berwick stun hosts Poole
The second semi-final produced the biggest upset of the night as Berwick eliminated home favourites Poole.
Zach Cook and Richard Lawson initially appeared to have the race under control, but Nick Morris worked his way into second before Peter Kildemand moved inside Lawson on lap three.
Cook won the race, but Morris and Kildemand’s second and third places gave Berwick a 5-4 victory and ended Poole’s hopes of winning on home shale.
Masters and Rowe seal the title
That set up an Oxford versus Berwick Grand Final, and the Cheetahs once again delivered when it mattered.
Masters and Rowe made strong starts before Kildemand moved into second place.
With Masters out front, the battle for the decisive third position became crucial. Kildemand attempted to slow Rowe and bring teammate Morris into contention, but the Oxford rider held firm.
Masters took the chequered flag ahead of Kildemand, with Rowe’s third place sealing a 6-3 victory and the Championship Best Pairs title for Oxford.
Masters felt there was no question that Oxford deserved their victory.
“It was nice to finally get a gold. We’ve had a lot of silver since I’ve joined the club but we’ve finally got a gold, and it’s come at the end of the toughest year in the club’s history.
“Poole were favourites, and Berwick did us a massive favour by knocking them out in the semi-finals. But I felt we deserved to win – we were the best pair throughout the evening, including in the qualifying races.
“Anders was awesome tonight. He was out there scoring points and we were team riding, which is what this Pairs event is all about. The best team won and I’m glad it was us.”
Rowe added:
“It’s awesome to win the Pairs with Oxford. We haven’t had the best of seasons, but we’ve been fighting hard all year, and it’s fantastic that we won today.
“When we were talking before the meeting, we said we needed no last places and we managed that all night. We knew that would get us through the qualifiers and then it started all over in the semis and the final and we managed it there too.”
Oxford manager Peter Schroeck described the victory as a reward for everyone who had supported the club through a difficult season.
“I’m so chuffed with the result today. It’s what everyone connected with the club deserves at the end of such a rough year.
“It wasn’t just about winning today. It was about bringing back something to everyone at Oxford, and saying thank you for continuing to back our great club.”
2026 Championship Best Pairs – Results
1st Oxford – Sam Masters & Anders Rowe
2nd Berwick – Peter Kildemand & Nick Morris
Semi-Final 1
Oxford 6-3 Glasgow
Sam Masters, Chris Harris, Anders Rowe, Leon Flint
Semi-Final 2
Berwick 5-4 Poole
Zach Cook, Nick Morris, Peter Kildemand, Richard Lawson
Grand Final
Oxford 6-3 Berwick
Sam Masters, Peter Kildemand, Anders Rowe, Nick Morris
Image courtesy of British Speedway – Taylor Lanning
