A career best paid ten from reserve William Rahman (8+2) helped Totton open up the second half of the top flight campaign with a victory at Caversham. 20 year old Rahman was one of five different race winners for the Tigers as they dominated their hosts in taking a 43-47 success, they in control from the first of two Bradley Turnbull (10)/Izak Zaloudek (7+2) 5-1’s in heat three, with a third maximum of the meeting involving Zaloudek—he heat winner on this occasion ahead of Rahman—in heat 12 leaving Caversham in the unusual position of needing to use tactical substitutes on home shale. It was too late for them, Totton inflicting the Swans first home league defeat of the season on them with two races to spare when Simon Snow (11) led a heat 13 4-2, easy as you like for John Shuttler’s side as they made it two away wins on the bounce. It’s a run which sees them boost their bid for a first league title in six years, their next away fixture a mouth-watering contest at leaders Long Eaton, who they currently lie just four points adrift of in the standings, albeit down in fifth spot. Caversham dropped to third after the loss, with Belfast moving up to second—just points difference off the Rifles—after they picked up their fourth away win of the campaign on their visit to Sedgley, 44-46. It was the Sinks sixth win in their last nine meetings at the venue, none of which have been by more than four points, with the latest inflicted by a last heat Sarkis Devin (15)/Jan Tomanek (13+1) 5-1. Sedgley had led for all but two heats prior to the decider, however the bottom of the table side managed just four heat winners all evening and never looked in control.

After seven first round exits in their previous seven seasons in the competition, Stirling have for the first time made it through the group stage of the Division Two Cup. A 51-39 victory over Stoke confirmed second spot in their section behind Harringay—who’d already qualified prior to this weeks final round of meetings—Aaron Campbell (9+2) dropping just a point from second string for the hosts in the decisive win. Ross Purnell’s Seahawks take on Group A winners Wavendon in the last four, the Witches through to that stage of the competition for a third time with a 47-43 win over Bournville. Despite the loss the Badgers also progress as East Hull failed to get anything out of their trip to Buxton, Bournville—runners-up in SL15—are the only previous finalists left in this years competition.

Barnsley, Southend and Nottingham are all Division Three Cup semi-finalists in the debut seasons. The former two progressed into the last four after limiting hosts Abdy (46-44) and Kent (47-43) respectively to slender home wins in the final round of group fixtures, their jobs had been to deny their opponents the bonus point rewarded for a ten point home win or more, and they were jobs well done. Nottingham topped the other section following a 51-39 home win over Heath, with the defeated visitors missing out on the runners-up spot to Shetland on points difference, the Ponies—who lifted the trophy in both SL9 and SL12—beating Dudley 47-43 in their final group fixture.

Four British riders have made in through to the SL17 Grand Prix series with one club dominating the roll-call. All three of Totton’s England International heat leaders are through to the eight round World Championship deciding event, with world number ten Simon Snow (9)—who returns to the series for a ninth time—joined by GP rookies Lewis Adkins (13) and Bradley Turnbull (10). Adkins takes his spot after finishing second to Gyor’s SL11 and 12 World Champion Durko Karban in the third round qualifier at Long Eaton, a tie in which Turnbull also finished well inside the top eight. Out of those qualification spots though was current world number two Harry Nicholls (7), who begins the series at reserve. Daniel Pesola (12)—currently on loan at third division Shetland from Belfast—won the second of the third round ties in Krakow, Julian Harrison became the fourth Brit’ to reach the GP’s with a third placed finish on the night.

Bradford increased their lead over Harringay at the top of division two back up to three points with a 44-46 victory at Chesterfield. Eight down after heat ten, a Ross Nicholls (16+1) led Speedsters recovered to win with three 4-2’s and a 5-1 in the last five. They have now lost just two of their 20 league meetings this season and are currently 11 points better off than fourth placed Bournville in the promotion race. Elsewhere Stirling recovered from eight down to win at Stoke 41-49 thanks to 5-1’s in heats 13 and 15 from Ethan Mason (15+1) and Joseph Goldwire (14+2), the victory leaving them just four points off the top three. In division three ninth placed Heath claimed their first away win of the season on their trip to bottom of the table Wednesfield, 43-47.