Jon Cook today hailed a complete performance as Eastbourne Eagles scored their first away win of the season.

Eagles triumphed 48-42 at rock-bottom Oxford Cheetahs, led by 14 points from star guest Jason Crump and helped by the latest signs that Lewis Bridger is coming to terms with Elite League life.

Crump, replacing the unwell Nicki Pedersen, dropped just one point in five rides, and that was to Tony Rickardsson in heat 15 when the contest was already over.

There were contributions all the way down the card, including a paid four from Bridger, who led world champion Rickardsson for three laps in heat four.

Cook, the Eagles promoter, said: "It was the complete performance. We always had so much in hand over them but we never got too far in front.

"Once we got past heat eight, which has been our Achilles heal, I was always confident. It was particularly pleasurable to see Lewis get past Adam Skornicki to get the point which tied up the win."

Eagles were brilliantly led by Crump as they inflicted more misery on Cheetahs, who went down for the eighth successive time this season in all competitions.

Oxford brought in Tomasz Piszcz for Lubos Tomicek but there was no doubt Eagles had the best of the bargain with Crump slotting in and looking as sharp as ever.

The world No. 2 was in unbeatable form, romping to five straight wins and was the master of world champion Rickardsson who, although denying Crump a maximum, was not at his best from the gate but provided some thrilling passing.

Giving good support to Crump were Adam Shields and Dean Barker.

The meeting got off to a cracking start as Howe and David Norris battled for supremacy before the Oxford skipper won the day and the departing Adam Pietraszko made it two Oxford wins on the trot before the Eagles hit back big time with Shields and Barker storming to a 5-1 after Davey Watt baled out at the second bend.

The first Rickardsson-Crump clash saw the world champion left at the start, but some hard riding saw him come through for second as Eastbourne eased ahead.

Watt and Skornicki gated in heat five, but Norris soon made his way through to second, before Crump and Rickardsson easily won the next two.

Cheetahs had a wonderful chance to go ahead at the halfway stage as Andersson and Piszcz held a 5-1 but Moore and then Bridger swooped past Piszcz.

With Howe falling in heat ten it was left to Andersson to split Shields and Barker as the Eagles edged ahead 32-28 and the outcome was still in the balance.

Rickardsson was only third away in heat 11 but the Swede muscled his way through to come out on top, and, when Watt and Piszcz gained a 4-2 soon after, there was all to play for at 35-37.

However, Heat 13 again saw Rickardsson wanting as he anticipated the tapes and Crump flew clear.

Shields, with the support of Bridger zooming through from the back, then gave the Eagles victory with a heat to spare.

Pedersen is expected to return to action in the double-header against Poole tomorrow.

Eagles' top man missed last night's meeting due to a flu-like symptoms.

Meridian Marquees, based at Battle, have become Eastbourne Eagles main partner sponsors for the 2006 season.

Cook said: "I am delighted with the backing from Meridian Marquees. They have been long-time advertisers with us.

"It makes a hell of a difference to have the sponsorship backing "

Oxford: Rickardsson 13, Skornicki 8, Andersson 7, Watt 5+1, Howe 4+1, Pietraszko 3, Piszcz 2.

Eastbourne: Crump 14, Shileds 12+2, Norris 6+1, Barker 6+1, Moore 5+1, Bridger 3+1, Appleton 2.