A venue that all but saw them secure their second title last season provided Long Eaton with their first away victory this. The Rifles matched their 44-46 success of late SL17 at The Stables when they took on hosts Houston for the first time this season, the defence of that crown gathering pace with their maiden away win of SL18 against one of the sides they are expected to vie with for the title. No surprises for the hosts with six of last season’s visiting septet returning to the circuit in a Rifles race-jacket once again, reserve Thomas Dobson (4+1) the only fresh face. He earned a point in each of his four races, consistent scoring which was matched throughout Martin Smith’s side, which helped keep the scores tight throughout the meeting. In contrast Houston reserve Martin Wulf—who was paid for ten in the Colts league opener—failed to pick up a point, while heat leader Leon Henrichsen’s four point haul was a huge disappointment. Henrichsen was on the wrong end of a 5-1 in heat nine when Adam Lucas (16+1) came in as a tactical substitute to partner Edvar Medved (6), Rifles second string Jarek Wieczorek (7+1) went on to beat the world number 11 in heat 14, where the visitors gained a lead snatching 4-2. Lucas completed Long Eaton’s first away win of the season with his fourth race victory of the clash in the last heat decider, taking revenge on home second string Maris Zizlev (11), who’d been the only rider to beat him in the meeting. The victory was Long Eaton’s second by a two point margin in the week, they having opened up with a home success over early table toppers Bradford, a last heat 4-2 won by Ethan Robertson (13) secured the points.

Staffan Juhlin (16) and Garry Gould (9) scored three 5-1’s as Caversham (25) made it two wins out of two in this season’s Club Pairs Championship. The Swans topped the standings at Bournville to add to their first round victory, finishing two points clear of SL1 winners Hallamshire (23), division three side Dudley (18) qualified through from third. It’s the fourth time in five years that the Swans have made it through to the final of a competition they won for the only time to date in SL14. Another single time winner Bradford (24) won the second of the second finals, again back-to-back tie victories for the Jeppe Hildebrandt (14)/Ross Nicholls (10) partnership, who finished the Chesterfield tie three points clear of Stirling (21). Houston (20) and defending champions Belfast (19) completed the qualifiers through to next weeks decider at Swinton.

Barnsley dropped their first point at the second tier level but remain unbeaten in all competitions. They had to be happy with a share of the spoils at Shetland after home rider Eman Pulkrabek (13) beat Uzor Rosko (13) and George Shields (10+1) in a last heat decider, still an impressive showing for the Bears, especially so from 18 year old second string Petri Couri (8+1), who raced to two wins in his four outings to the track. Barnsley sit second in the table, level on points with Matt Akers’ other promotion, Hallamshire, whose meeting at Stourbridge also ended level.

Dudley are now the only side left in the country with a 100% record. Six wins from six for David Norwood’s Cheetahs, who began the week with a club record away victory at Chesterfield. Four wins from Lech Wysocki (13) helped set their new high-water mark at 39-51 and take them two points clear at the top of division three. Wednesfield are up to second, three wins from reserve Adam Carrol (11) helped them beat Heath on the road, 44-46, Heath later picked up a point on their travels, when their meeting at Ernsford Grange finished tied at 45 apiece.

Totton’s Lewis Adkins (15) began the defence of his British title with a flawless showing to win his semi-final at Sedgley. The 26 year old scored his first ever maximum in a WSO meeting to top the standings by three points from Scott Read. Bradford’s Ross Nicholls (13) beat Garry Gould in a race-off to win the second of the qualifiers at Harringay.