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Jubilee Edition - ENHANCED
- news - div one - div two - div three - other results - transfer list - averages - statistics - - more statistics - rider search: gsa/age - rider search: name - international tables/averages - honours board -
Comment now on the latest news at the Forum LIONS ROAR INTO ROUND TWO Whiteknights suffer shock exit Lothian pulled off one of the biggest KO Cup comebacks of all time to win a tie in the competition for the first time in eight years. Derek Purvis’s Lions responded to a 16 point first leg loss in Reading by defeating their top flight opponents on home shale, 54-36, a result which sends the division three minnows through by two. Having trailed for the previous 29 heats, it was a last race 5-1 from Alessandro Cassano (14) and second string Nicholas Imler (9+1) which earned the Lions the lead in the contest for the first time and a last-16 tie with Long Ley. A giant-killing in Scotland, and one for a Scottish side too in Desford, where returning division three side Houston completed a 13 point aggregate win over their hosts in what was their first tie in the competition in 14 years. Desford had reached at least the quarter-finals in each of the last five seasons, and lifted the trophy in SL32, but were undone against the Pirates strength in depth this week on home shale. Facing an eight point first leg deficit, the Dynamos were unable to get anywhere near to achieving an aggregate lead, a one point advantage at best on the night for this weeks hosts who conceded 5-1’s at shockingly regular intervals. Four in total, with the fourth from Tom Bruhns (8+1) and Vincenzo Brambilla (9+1) securing a second round tie against Wordsley for George Seymour’s side, reserve Cameron Bryan (9+2) was involved in two of the three other Pirate maximums. Wordsley took their place in the last-16 with a 91-89 aggregate win over Tresco, as Craig Parrish (13) won a decisive last heat 4-2.TODAY: Shorts Benfleet are into the KO Cup second round for the first time in their history after their run of 10 consecutive defeats in the competition came to an end. A 48-42 home win over Cradley sent Andy Harvey’s side through by ten on aggregate, they face Lane End next, another side who will be making their second round debut—after just three years in their case—a maiden quarter-final awaits the winners of that. The Trappers scored 100 to overcame Brighton in one of two all-division one first round ties, Swanage were also in triple-digits over the two legs in beating Peak Dean in the other. Next up for the record six-times winners are Warrington, who in contrast to the Swans needed two points in the final heat at Bilston from their second string Rafal Kazimierczak (12) to see off their higher division hosts, 89-91. The tie of the second round pits three-times defending champions West Ham with newly crowned Pairs Champions Putney, a side who have surprisingly failed to go beyond the second round in each of the last six seasons.
Land End’s Charles Trosky (15) scored a maximum to top the standings in this season’s Pacific Final. But it was those finishing down the order to raise the eyebrows. Defending World Champion Joshua Ward (5) failed to win a race and missed the cut off for the Overseas Final, his world title defence over at the first hurdle.
After winning the WU21 title for a second time as a 19 year old in SL26, many predicted a big future for Philip Hart (14). It hasn’t panned out that way for the rider who once cost Swanage £3.5million, the now Reading second string hadn’t won another major title in the decade since that success, well until now that is. Hart—30 at the end of this season—dropped just a point to win the British title on his home track this week, his fourth victory of the meeting securing him the crown in heat 20, Darren Field (12) completed a Whiteknights 1-2 by beating Anthony Norwood in a race-off for the minor podium positions. The top eight from Reading go onto the Overseas Final stage of the World Championship, where they’ll face the top eight from this weeks Pacific Final.
Desford (6 points) and Kent (2) became further detached at the bottom of division one after both suffered further home league losses. Swanage (21) won at the latter 41-49 to extend their advantage at the top of the table to two points, Brighton (19)—43-46 winners at Desford—now the closest rivals to the Swans, who have won four in a row. Brighton’s secured their fourth away victory of the campaign with a last heat 4-2, Hobart Buus (11) completing the 43-46 victory with his third win of a meeting in which the Sharks had trailed in by seven after the opening two heats.
SL36 debutants Poole raced to their maiden away league win, with Houston also claiming their first on the road in their comeback campaign. The latter are up to second in the third tier standings thanks to their 41-49 success at Cradley, meanwhile Poole second string Andreas Soderland (10+1) raced to a brace of heat victories in his side’s 43-47 win at Witham.
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