Southend’s run of 48 league meetings unbeaten on their home circuit came to an end with this weeks visit of Swinton. The clubs were two divisions apart last season, and it showed as the Spartans—looking to return to the top flight at the first attempt—were relentless in their pursuit of victory, eight heat advantages in the contest for the visitors as they strolled to a 39-51 success. Steve Pearce’s side led from start to finish, heat leaders Kyle Cook (14) and Kenn Balle (10+1) plus 18 year old reserve Waclaw Zawadzki all scoring in double figures, the latter’s 10+2 was his third paid 12 score in four league meetings. Swinton end the week second in division two, a point behind new leaders Barnsley, whose meeting at East Hull ended all-square thanks to a last heat Uzor Rosko (18) winning 5-1. Rosko won four of the last five heats of the meeting to clinch his first full maximum of the campaign. Barnsley replace Hallamshire at the top, with the Sheffield side slipping to third after suffering a 43-46 home defeat to Stourbridge, the hosts conceding a rare last heat win to the visiting side, with Nalek Pawloowski (13) defeating Gustave Liden (13) and Marcin Jaworski (13+1) in the decider. Jonathan Graves chipped in with a more than useful 9+3 from his five rides at reserve for the Scorpions, who climb to fourth, two points off the divisional lead.

After their first dropped points of SL18 Dudley got back to winning ways this week. Their latest set of back-to-back successes began with a 44-46 win at Abdy, where their strong top three dominated, winning eight heats between them. It was however the minor places from Lech Wysocki (12) and Lachlan Taylor (11+1) in the last which completed their fourth division three away victory of the season. They went on to beat bottom side Chesterfield 48-42 at home to move four points clear of Wednesfield in the standings, with Buxton moving up into third after a slender aggregate bonus point success at Ernsford Grange (89-91). Bridgwater dropped out of the top three on points difference, a mixed week for the Builders ended with a 44-46 victory at Kent, in which they took the lead for the first time in the meeting along with all three league points thanks to a last heat 5-1. Earlier a heat 15 5-1 wasn’t able to prevent them going down to a 44-45 loss on home shale, Ernsford Grange taking both points in the Lindens Park clash as Matus Malecha scored a season best 14+2 from six for them, the Slovakian down at reserve for the 56ers following the arrival of Jimmi Justesen (0). Elsewhere second string Jesse Ellis (8) raced to two heat wins for rookies Braintree (8+1) as they picked up their first ever away win on their visit to Heath (43-47).

Kent’s bid for a first ever KO Cup tie win will almost be certain heading into a fourth season. They lost the home leg of the all-division three tie with Wednesfield, 39-51, who are still benefiting from Adam Carroll’s (13) role at reserve in the side.

A 21st World Championship meeting win for Darko Karban came at Stourbridge, with the Bridgwater world number three dropping just a point on his way to victory in the first round tie. Ernsford Grange star Jesus Dollar also scored 14 to take the win in the second of this weeks qualifiers in Plock.