OXFORD Cheetahs saw Scott Nicholls crash out of his opening race with a dislocated shoulder as they were beaten 57-33 by visitors Poole Pirates in the first leg of the Championship Knockout Cup final.

The accident happened on the first bend of Heat 4, with the score 9-9 entering the race.

Nicholls picked up unexpected drive entering the first bend and ploughed into Tom Brennan, resulting in a crash which demolished a whole section of air fence.

Brennan was soon to his feet, but Nicholls’ shoulder had popped out of joint, and he was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

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Cheetahs were already using three guest riders and missing Jordan Jenkins, Luke Killeen and Jody Scott, and it was a night when things just went wrong for the hosts, as Ashton Boughen suffered an engine failure in the first heat, and Sam Masters had punctures in Heats 13 and 15.

Pirates took the lead with a 5-1 in the re-run of Heat 4 and the scoreline stood at 31-17 after eight races.

Cameron Heeps top-scored for Cheetahs with 11+1, while Pirates will be firm favourites to seal the trophy when the sides meet in the second leg in Dorset next Wednesday.