Crown Edition - ENHANCED

-   news   -   div one   -   div two   -   other results   -   transfer list   -   averages   -

-   statistics   -   more statistics   -   rider search: gsa/age   -   rider search: name   -

Comment now on the latest news at the Forum

Heaton Mersey Hornets are league champions. Heaton Mersey Hornets are league champions. Say it twice and you may just start to believe it, because they are not promoted by a member of either the Williams or Allitt family, a family who have dominated the league over the past decade. Their run of seven straight titles was broken by James Calderbank, his Stockport based side fittingly crossing the finishing line this week with the four points gleaned from meetings against Allitt duo Tanglewood and Boston. First up the maximum three was taken much to the delight of the home fans when the Tigers made their trip to the lush surroundings of the Mersey Nest, Ari Vento (15) ensuring the win and bonus with his fourth of five victories of the night in heat 13 of the contest. Next came an appearance at the New Hammond Beck Road, three championship trophies have been handed over there before, but this was the first to be on show ready to be placed into the grasp of the visitors should Poplar not beat Verulamium. The Jags did their bit, holding the Bears to a draw on home territory, leaving the Hornets the small matter of scoring 32 points to claim the bonus point, a target they passed with Ari Vento’s win in a 5-1 in heat 12. Heaton Mersey had looked anything like champions early on in the season, they sat bottom of the league at the first change in averages, the main problem being the loss of form of Matthew Dawson who started the year on an 8.27 GSA. The emergence of young Latvian Maris Korablev as a force was the one bright point in those early weeks, but still Calderbank had to spend £180,000 on Peter Dinnewell just to get his side in contention. An expensive move it may looked to have been, but the 24 year olds arrival strengthen the team and the fortunes slowly but surely changed for the better. And it was their new strength in depth that has taken them to the title, epitomised at Boston in their latest meeting, their septet only managed four wins but still they easily secured the point they were looking for and to cap it all only one of those wins came from a heat leader. No doubt the Allitt and Williams sides will come back strong next season, but for now it’s the day of the underdog, the day a new name was engraved on the trophy.

A Steve Boast (6)/Graham Gillingham (7+3) heat 14 5-1 secured England their eighth successive World Cup victory and the second under the leadership of Chris Williams. The final hadn’t started so well for the Lions though, they conceding 5-1’s to the USA in the first two heats of the contest in Krakow as both Jim Sanderson (15) and Kevin Bird (5) claimed early race victories. Despite this it wasn’t long before England were in front, with three maximum’s in the next four races going their way, two returned by the partnership of Matthew Daniels (11) and Gillingham. By heat ten the opposition was left using tactical substitutes and by heat 14 it was all over, England the ‘best in the world’ once again.

Despite dominating the World Cup, England are still struggling to find a rider to win the British GP and for the fourth year in succession the top two podium positions went to riders flying a foreign flag. Mario Serao became the third rider to win the title for a second time when scoring a 15 point maximum at Blunsdon this week, he finishing a point ahead of both Rune Michelsen (2nd) and fellow Italian Alfredo Fabris (3rd). This was Serao’s second successive GP win in this years series, one which sees him move four points clear at the top of the overall standings from Michelsen, Jim Sanderson (8) drops to third a further point adrift after another disappointing round from the early leader.

A maximum from Mikael Eriksson (15) gave Stepps at least hope of not ending the season as KO Cup runners-up for the second year in succession, they wining the first leg of the final against three-times winners Poplar 47-43. The on loan Swede was backed up well by Klaus Kauz (10+1)—who dropped just one point—and Tor-Arne Pedersen (8), if the trio can reproduce that form in London next week, Stepps may just yet add to their Pairs trophy secured early on in the year.

Barnet Bombers moved a point clear of Rugby in the race to claim the final European Cup spot for next season, a 42-48 win at injury hit Wimbledon consolidating their third place position and condemning their hosts to start the final two rounds of league racing in the relegation zone.

Back-to-back wins ensured Auckland Rhinos will be racing in division one again after a four year absence, a 44-46 victory at second placed Benfleet—sealed with 5-1’s in each of the last two races—confirming they will finish in the top two of division two and leaving them a point off securing the title. Four teams remain in with a chance of joining Auckland in the top flight next season, two of those meet on the final day of the season when Swindon host Benfleet.

A 42-48 win at Downham secured Bibury Bandits promotion from division three, Geroge Spence (12+3) unbeaten in what was the Leslie Smith side’s sixth away victory of the campaign. Four teams still have hopes of claiming the third and final promotion spot, Carmarten lead the way in that race at present, they meet two of the other hopefuls in their final meetings, Purton (home) and Mile End (away).

Comment now on the latest news at the Forum

©2010 SportingDreams. All Rights Reserved.