Henrik Kojefors (15) scored his third maximum of the SL27 Division One Cup as holders Beverley reached the semi finals of the competition with a 43-47 victory in York. The win, secured with 4-2’s in each of the last three races, earned the Hellcats three group points and top spot in the standings, the home side having no answer to the dominance of Kojefors, who once again showed why he must be considered one of the best riders of all time. The 36 year old teamed up with Tom Reaney for 4-2’s in the opener and then again in heat 11 just when it looked like the hosts might get away from them, two races later Kojefors was back to win another 4-2, this time with Joshua Sky, that one levelled the scores on the night, while his success in the last alongside Richard Coward (11) confirmed their inevitable victory. Beverley won at York four times last season on their way to the quintuple, including in this same competition at the semi final stage. Their last four opponents in SL27 will be Weymouth, who will hold no fear to Steve Baker and his side despite their current position at the top of the division one standings. The Hitmen made it through to the semi finals for the first time in five attempts despite losing their final qualifying meeting at Stafford, 50-40, Trevor Walker’s side going through on points difference at the expense of St Ives. Stafford progress as group winners with a 100% winning record in the first round stage, the four-times winners of the competition are paired with Tibthorpe in the semi finals, points difference enough also for the Ravens, who eliminated Coventry this week with a 52-38 bonus point winning home victory.

20 year old Rasmus Wilhelmsen (8+1) was amongst the heat winners as Tibthorpe claimed their third away league win of the season on their trip to Peckleton, the Dane—promoted from reserve last week—dropping just three points in the 44-46 win, all against the Raiders top three, who’d dominated the heat wins stats despite the defeat with ten victories between them.

After a defeat at home to Midland last week cost them a spot in the top three, Monkston relished their time in the more welcoming surroundings of Mote Park, the Monkeys becoming the sixth different visiting team of the season to pick up a division two win there. Bargain £500 signing George King scored 12 on his debut for the visitors, the former Pskov rider picking up wins in his first three races in a Monkeys race-jacket as his new side claimed an early six point lead. Jen Lell’s (12) fourth win of the contest in heat 14 sealed the eventual 42-48 victory with a race to spare, with the Monkeys regaining their position in the promotion places as a result.

Belham Road’s five meeting unbeaten league run came to an end in the top of the table clash with Witham, 50-40, but with the Witches also losing on their travels—by 12 at Redhill—Bury were able to split the pair in the division three standings after they picked up the maximum six points in the period. Three of those were returned at East Kent, who—having topped the table after round seven—are now without a win in nine in all competitions, the minor places from Marinko Krajcer (12+1) and Robert Petersson (14+2) in the final race securing maximum points for the Buccaneers at the Zulus.