Holders St Ives became the fourth side to reach this years Division One Cup semi-finals despite slipping to a two point defeat at Fort William in their latest qualifier. Just five group points for the Pirates, but enough in the end to send them through to the last-four for the ninth time in their history, only Coventry—who will be making a 17th appearance—have featured in the knock out stage on more occasions. And it’s the Crusaders Nick Ward’s side will take on next in what will be a repeat of last years final, which the south-west club won by just three points on aggregate. Coventry topped their section after Doncaster surprisingly failed to pick up a point from their final group meeting against Houston, the Riverhogs going down to a 44-46 home defeat after conceding a last heat 5-1 to Harry Sloan and Mikael Huhta (13+1). The contest in some respects was a dead rubber, with the visitors out of contention for qualification having picked up two points to Doncaster’s seven in the previous three ties. Still the result means Dave Baker’s side now face the winners of Group B in the semi-finals of this years competition rather than the runners-up, they being Brighton who are racing in the Division One Cup for the first time following their promotion to the top tier last season. Doncaster have never previously gone beyond the group stage, so it is guaranteed that one of the two will become first time finalists. Unlucky not to be in the last four are York, they missed out after failing to get a bonus point in their final group tie against Blackpool, winning the meeting 48-42, a ten point success had been required.

Richard Lewis (14+1) and Fredrik Alquist (14+1) both scored maximums as Beverley led almost throughout to win at sister club Fort William. Lewis led around 19 year old second string Johan Lang (7+2) as the visitors scored a 5-1 in the opener at the Nevis Arena, while the reserves doubled their side’s advantage in the division one clash with another 5-1 in heat two. The Wildcats did recover to level things by the end of the heat ten, but Lewis and Lang returned to claim another set of maximum points in heat 11 to take the Hellcats back in front. A four point lead became a 12 point victory thanks to Lewis and Alquist 5-1’s in heats 13 and 15. It’s the first time that Beverley have won a league meeting at the venue and was their first win away from home in this campaign after coming close with draws at Coventry and Houston, the result—and later six point home win over third placed York—takes Steve Baker’s side up to fourth, four points off leaders Blackpool who they host next. Fort William slip three points off safety in ninth. Elsewhere bottom of the table Warley enjoyed their best week of the campaign, with a first away point of SL36 helping them inch closer to those sides above them in the table, in fact cutting the gap between themselves and Fort William from seven to three points. Warley’s draw came at Brighton courtesy of a last heat 5-1 from Adam Ashton (13+1) and Vladilen Bunin (12+1) in a meeting they had trailed in by eight, the Warriors also claimed the bonus point by four on aggregate.

A 15th career WSO win for Houston and Scotland’s Harry Sloan (13) this week. Victory in the final at St Ives earned the 25 year old a maiden British title, the current world number ten and former world number two adding to his successes on the international stage, which already included victories in the WU21 Final, Overseas Final, GP Play Off and Swedish GP. He topped the standings by two points from current World Champion John Hawke (2nd) and Morgan Barnes (3rd). World number six and last years winner Richard Lewis (7) missed the cut for the Overseas Final, the 26 year old finishing ninth. York’s Adam Bennett (14) meanwhile won the Pacific Final in Richmond, topping the standings from Jacob Harvey (12).

Anthony Gray impressed with 7+2 on debut for Sandwell as they earned a draw in their second division clash at Buxton. Second string Gray won heat eight and then finished second to Marek Siadaczka (11+1) in a heat 11 5-1 to give the Sabres an eight point lead in the fixture, however the hosts hit back with a brace of 5-1’s, with the final scores finishing tied as the two sides shared the points in the remaining heats. Witham’s home meeting with Peckleton also finished all-square, the visitors coming back from 12 down to claim their third away draw of the campaign. Boston meanwhile picked up the only away point in division three this week, the Barracudas off the bottom after their meeting with Hawick—who replace them at the basement—finished level thanks to Dusan Burak’s last heat success over Michael Pfingstl (12+1), that the second string’s third victory of the night as he finished with season best figures of 12 from five.