It comes as no surprise that Leigh Adams has been casting an eye over the Dryml brothers, Ales and Lukas, and Andrew Appleton - and long may it continue.

To ask young Lukas Dryml to ride in heat 15 alongside Adams against Belle Vue on Friday was a master stroke, and he responded superbly.

Promoter Vanessa Purchase said: "I was chuffed to bits. It's taken us four years to get where we are, and now I just want to look down the tunnel and see the light at the end."

Her husband, Cheetahs owner Steve Purchase, was also delighted by the form of the Dryml brothers.

He said: "I take great pleasure that Lukas Dryml was named rider of the night following a paid win in heat 15, and having only been beaten by an opposition rider once in his five rides. Ales also did great with maximum points from his first three rides."

*If the new Green Sheet averages were announced today then Todd Wiltshire would be at reserve for Cheetahs.

But, luckily for him, Oxford have to ride another away meeting - at Wolverhampton on Monday, April 30 - before the Australian ace could find himself in that position .

So, Todd has the meetings against Ipswich tomorrow and King's Lynn next week to up his average and stop the Dryml brothers from fighting it out to claim his spot.

Latest averages: T Wiltshire 6.18, L Dryml 6.53, S Johnston 6.40, B Andersen 8.00, L Adams 11.11, A Dryml 6.40, A Appleton 3.11.

*Former Cheetah Buzz Burrows, now riding for Stoke, has been hit by thieves who struck in the early hours of Monday morning. They stole his new kevlars, helmet, gloves, boots, body armour and racing licence. Poole share favouritism Oxford have been joined by Poole as joint 3-1 favourites for the Sky Sports Elite League title.

The Pirates, despite losing two of England's top riders in world champion Mark Loram and Scott Nicholls, have brought in multi-world champion Tony Rickardsson and are looking very good.

Reportedly the best supported team in the league, Poole, together with Ipswich, look the teams to overcome if Cheetahs are to carry the flag this season. FLYING START: