Back-to-back victories in the qualifying rounds have taken Birkenhead into the final of the Club Pairs Championship for the first time in four years. A change of line-up for the Bombers in the semi-final at Liden this week, but the same result as their first round tie at Bournemouth, with Mikhail Smirnov (14) and Thomas Forsman (9) topping the standings for the freshly promoted top flight club. Three different riders used by Glyn Hughes in the SL31 competition to date, but still he hasn’t selected the one who is currently topping his team’s league averages, £80,000 pre-season addition Kristian Norgaard. A conundrum for Hughes to solve ahead of the Purton decider, but he’ll be reluctant to split the pairing that opened the semi-final with 5-1’s over the hosts and Sunderland, as well as picking up a later maximum against Sawley. Their only heat defeat was a 4-2 reversal against runners-up on the night Stone Cross (20), who snatched that second spot from Southampton (19) with a last heat 5-1 of their own against Sawley, holders Sunderland (16) failed to make the cut, finishing down in fifth. Top flight dominance at Liden, but not in the second of the semi-final ties at Wolverton (26), where the second division hosts finished six points clear of Greenhill (20) and a further two better off than fellow qualifiers Eastbourne (18) and Auckland (18). It’s a brand new partnership for last years runners-up, the Wolves going with Vaclav Koch and Sascha Huffman this time around, two riders which are both currently averaging over ten in the league.

Derek Chandler’s (12) strong start to the division one season with newly promoted Stone Cross transferred onto the individual scene when he won his first WSO meeting in nine years. The 27 year old scored 12 to win his British semi-final in Swinton, topping the standings by a point from Sam Jones. One of the pre-meeting favourites for the meeting victory, world number nine Matthew Wild (8), failed to make the top eight and will miss this years final. The trio of last years GP riders in action faired better in the second of the semi-finals, with world number six Harry Myers (12) taking second to Darren Corbett (13) at Bolsover, while defending British Champion—world number five Andy Daniel (10)—qualified through from fourth and world number 12 Lee Anderson (8) from sixth. It’s the third time Corbett, now in his third season at Halesowen, has won a British semi-final, with the latest success his eighth in a WSO tie.

Dundee pulled off the biggest surprise result in division two this year after winning at title favourites Auckland. Tipped for relegation the Scottish side picked up their first away points at this level, 44-46, after Christer Wiman (9) and Tom Parsons (13+1) beat world record buy Andy Daniel (12) to record an unexpected last heat 5-1 in the fixture. The Rhinos responded with a 43-47 win at Burrett Road, but it’s the Cakes from north of the border who currently side proudly at the head of the standings. Just points difference behind the leaders are Liden, second string Ib Greisen (6) and reserve Jordan Brooks (8) both amongst the heat winners as they won at Birstall, 42-48.

Big away wins for Sunderland and Cirencester see the two clubs head the third tier standings. The double digit successes were recorded at Bournemouth (40-50) and Tey Grove (38-51) respectively, with visiting reserve Lewis Clay racing to three wins in successive rides—the third in a points clinching heat 14 5-1 alongside second string Garth Savage (8+1)—on his way to a commanding 12+1 score.