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Olympic Edition
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Comment now on the latest news at the Forum AGAINST THE TIDE Swans comeback to snatch semi spot Caversham were bottom of their section and without a point at the halfway stage of this years Division One Cup first round qualifiers. A win at Balham last week opened the door to the possibility of a first ever semi-final appearance for the Swans in eight attempts, they pushed their way through this week with a 51-39 home victory over rivals Totton. The margin of success was the minimum required to see off the Tigers in the battle for the runners-up spot behind last years defeated finalists Houston in the group, a last heat 5-1 from the unbeaten Juhlin Staffan (15) and his fellow heat leader Gary Gould (11+1) proving decisive in that battle, while Belfast’s failure to get either of the bonus points in their final qualifier against Balham put paid to their challenge. Belfast would have denied Caversham their place in the last four with a 50-40 win, the record four-times winners falling short by two points in that bid despite scoring a last heat 5-1. In the other half of the draw there wasn’t many scenarios in which SL9 winners Long Eaton wouldn’t qualify despite sitting out the final round, all those required an away win for Sedgley at Mansfield, and that didn’t happen. The Yorkies—making their debut in the top fight version of the competition this year—led for all but one heat of the crucial first round encounter, with Hans Willemssen (15) and Reece Hooper (13+2) both scoring maximums in the eventual 51-39 success, and second string Ormos Adami (11) falling just a point short of doing the same for the hosts. Holders Hallamshire had already been eliminated prior to an eight point defeat in their final group meeting at Swinton, the result leaves them bottom of the group.TODAY: Shorts Long Eaton have gone top of the league for the first time since they lifted the division one trophy at the end of last season. Martin Smith’s Rifles’ are back at the summit following a 43-47 victory at Totton, the success their third in a row at the Hampshire venue. After leading for the majority of the clash, the Tigers were undone by a couple of visiting side 5-1’s in the final three races, Marek Wieczorek (14) and Ethan Robertson (8+1) levelling up the scores in heat 13, Wieczorek and Adam Lucas (15+1) scoring the decisive maximum in the last heat decider. The defeat leaves Totton without a league win in four and in the relegation zone. As are Sedgley, who lie bottom and seven points adrift of safety after losing for the fourth time at Green Park in this campaign, with Swinton gabbing their first ever top flight win on their trip to the west midlands venue. They had to fight back from eight down to take the points, scoring three 5-1’s in the space of four heats in doing so. Luke Holden (16) and recent signing at second string, 17 year old Dano Toman (6+2), were both involved in two of those maximums, which took the visitors eight in front by the end of heat 11. Steve Pearce’s side went on to win 41-49 and end the week outside of the bottom three for the first time in nearly three months.
Three draws in division two this week with two involving Wavendon. Malcolm Chambers side are looking to win their first promotion to the top flight after 15 years in the lower divisions, missing out on victories at home in close run meetings could prove costly in that bid, although in their defence they did so against leaders Bradford, who have lost just one of their seven away league meetings this season. Their fourth draw of the campaign on the road was returned courtesy of a last heat Ross Nicholls (15+1)/Jeppe Hildebrandt (16+1) 5-1, the same pairing had also picked up maximum points in heat 11 in which the latter was in action as a tactical substitute. Later in the week Wavendon scored a last heat 5-1 in snatching a draw at bottom side Buxton, having conceded 5-1’s to the Bees in the opening two races, the Witches were behind throughout until the maximum scored by Daniel Williams (13) and Steen Beske (12+1) in the decider.
Away ‘success’ in division three this week was also limited to points gained in draws. Barnsley consolidated their position in second by denying third placed Southend victory on their trip to Essex, although having won the reverse fixture the Eagles did pick up the bonus to remain inside the promotion places, a point clear of both Nottingham and Ernsford Grange. The latter claimed their second away point of the campaign on their trip to Heath, the visitors to the Spitfires recovering from eight down with 5-1’s in heats 13 and 14, the latter won by second string Jarek Wieczorek (9+1).
A mixed outcome for Bradford riders in this weeks World Championship first round qualifier in Malmo. Out of contention goes England star Ross Nicholls (7), who missed out on qualification to the second round by a point. Fellow heat leader at the Speedsters, world number six Jeppe Hildebrandt (14), took the victory, which was his first ever in a WSO meeting in 24 attempts! Abdy’s Boris Monyak (13) won the second of this weeks ties in Pskov by a point from Sarkis Devin.
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