OXFORD Cheetahs were unable to end their hectic week on a high as they lost 54-36 at Scunthorpe Scorpions.

Jason Crump’s men fell to defeat in Lincolnshire despite strong showings from Chris Harris (12) and Scott Nicholls (11+1).

Scunthorpe’s Simon Lambert top-scored with a maximum as the hosts leapfrogged Cheetahs into seventh place in the SGB Championship.

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It also saw them gain revenge for their opening-night loss to the newly-reformed club exactly a month earlier.

The meeting brought to an end a gruelling schedule of three fixtures in four days for Cheetahs

They lost 55-35 at Plymouth Gladiators on Tuesday, before edging out Redcar Bears 47-43 at Oxford Stadium 24 hours later.

Cheetahs are back at Sandy Lane this coming Tuesday as they begin a double header against tenth-placed Birmingham Brummies (7.30pm), with the return fixture the following evening.

SCORERS

SCUNTHORPE 54: Simon Lambert 15, Jake Allen 8+1, Ryan Douglas 8, Zaine Kennedy 7+1, Jordan Palin 6+3, Tero Aarnio 6+1, Ryan Kinsley 4+1.

OXFORD 36: Chris Harris 12, Scott Nicholls 11+1, Jack Thomas 5, Cameron Heeps 3+1, Kyle Newman 2, Nathan Stoneman 2, Dillon Ruml 1.

Championship points: Scunthorpe 3 Oxford 0.