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Andrew Bargh (red) leads Josh Auty

OXFORD Cheetahs bosses Allen Trump and Peter Oakes have hailed their own side - and their Conference League play-off final conquerors Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Cheetahs lost by 35 points on aggregate to Scunthorpe, but Trump was quick to heap praise on the champions.

"Scunthorpe fully deserved to win the title for the second season in succession," he said.

"They are probably the best side that the Conference League has ever seen.

"Apart from the result, I really enjoyed the occasion - a big crowd with some cut and thrust on the track.

"We didn't quite do ourselves justice in the final, although the first leg at Cowley was a cracking meeting.

"But as far as I'm concerned, we've also come out of this season as winners because our real achievement was reaching the final, given there was no Oxford Speedway until we took over.

"The dramatic win over Plymouth in the semi-finals was our final."

Now Scunthorpe only have to beat Plymouth in the KO Cup to complete the Grand Slam.

Director of speedway Oakes remembers the Scunthorpe sides of the 70s and 80s who often propped up the National League table, and is glowing about what the Scorpions management have achieved since their return to the sport in 2005.

"You have to take your hat off to Scunthorpe, who deserve credit for the work they have put in, in every direction," Oakes said.

"They've built up a terrific team of talented youngsters, and furthermore, every time I come here, there's something new.

"Last time it was the training track, this time it's the changing rooms.

"They are a model to any new team coming into the Conference League, of how it should be done."

Oakes added: "Over the two legs, we were outclassed by a much better team.

"I don't think we are as bad as Scunthorpe made us look.

"But I think it was an astonishing achievement for Oxford to finish second in the league and then reach the final of the play-offs, more than anyone will ever realise.

"Coming in halfway through the season, it was impossible to build a league-winning side, but we did the next best thing.

"We were the second best team in the league and that's something we can be proud of."

3:13pm Wednesday 24th October 2007

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