Cradley Heath’s 44-46 victory at Liden has taken them up to third in the standings and to within a point of leaders Don Valley. Bradley Law (17) and second string Wojtek Majewski (10+2) scored heat 14 and 15 5-1’s to see the visitors recover from six down to win the meeting at the top flight newcomers, ironically Law could only come into the penultimate heat as a tactical substitute after his side fell the required six points behind when he was beaten for the first—and only—time in the meeting in the previous race. That loss to Aarno Raisanen (11) was avenged in the last heat decider, though only after the home number one fell while attempting to pass the England international on the final lap, costing his side a point for a draw in the process. Cradley’s strong start to the season has seen their top seven exceed the 47 point team limit at their first GSA change, leaving Stuart Mills having to unexpectedly alter his line-up next week. Law the biggest improver for the Hammers, his mark increasing from 9.27 to 11.00. Manor are also on the up following a 44-46 victory, theirs returned at Brighton and moving them up to a season high second, just points difference off the Vipers. A last heat Joseph Wall (13) victory over Dale Bailey (13) secured both league points for the Miracles in a meeting they had led in by six early on. After falling behind in heat ten the visitors retook the lead in heat 12 with a Imants Lobanev (9) winning 5-1. Elsewhere in the top flight there was a first ever away victory at this level for Dumpton, Jacek Wozniak (15) scoring a second successive maximum for the newly promoted side as they led from start to finish in winning a Ramsgate, 43-47.

Manor’s first of two wins at Brighton in the week came in the Division One Cup where another last heat Joseph Wall (13) victory secured them three group points. Reserve Teodor Lovrencic (6+2) was also amongst the heat winners for the Miracles in the 43-46 victory. Lovrencic has been averaging 7.37 for Andy Barton’s side in the league this season, but remains in their bottom two with a GSA of 4.08 going forward after appearing in just five of their division one fixtures to date.

London are on course to reach the Division Two Cup semi-finals for the first time in their history after brushing aside hosts Whiteley in their latest first round group fixture. The Jaguars 41-49 winners at Meadowside, where visiting reserve Viliam Dvorsky (14) raced to three heat victories on his way to a first double figure haul since his pre-season loan switch from Denaby. Not so good in the league for London however, who were held to a home draw by Wednesfield despite Dvorsky scoring 9+1 and a six ride paid maximum from Liam Marlow (17+1). Second strings Ota Duch (10+1) and Chris Speare (7+2) played a big part for Wanderers as they picked up their first away point of the campaign.

A second successive away victory has taken Hertford top of division three for the first time this season. Simon Williams’ Bears look strong contenders for an immediate return to the second tier following their latest success, a 43-47 victory at Benfleet, in which they recovered from ten down to take the points with 5-1’s in heats 13 and 15. Elsewhere Nottingham scored two 5-1’s in the final six races to win at Yarmouth, 44-46.