It was a week in which Putney could stamp their authority on the SL34 League Championship race. They failed. Defeat in the top of the table clash at Kent saw the then leaders lose their place at the head of the standings, that was far from the worst of it however, with Swanage then inflicting the Spitfires biggest home defeat on them in nearly 23 years! As a result the five-times champions end the latest round of fixtures in a season-low third, they now trailing the two sides to beat them by three points. It’s Kent that again lead the way on points difference from the Swans, Mitch Godden’s side overcoming the handicap of having to select a side without their near nine-point man Milos Hubenak in the line-up, the new averages costing the Slovakian—who has already scored three maximums this season—his spot and severely limiting Godden’s options in the lower order. On paper at least, but on the track it worked, a last heat 4-2 bringing the Steelers through to a 47-43 win over Putney, they then went on to consolidate their position at the summit with a fourth away victory of the campaign on their trip to Bicester. A nervy one for Kent, they going in front early on with a Martin Latt (9) heat four winning 5-1 only to be pegged back, but two 4-2’s at the death in their favour would see things go their way, 44-46, Zarand Paris (12) winner of the first in heat 14, then finishing third in the decider, which was won by Espen Askelien (13). Godden’s selection options will improve next week, with the signings of Vincenzo Brambilla (£72,000), Bradley Kelly (£50,000) and Jonas Meyer (£70,000) made since the two wins, Hubenak will be loaned out to comply with the 52 point squad limit. Transfer action too at Swanage, where they’ve added Joseph Fisher to their title challenging bid, at £1.5million the sale by Newcastle is their fourth in seven figures in less than six years. On the way out of Days Park—on loan to Bolsover—is Joshua Ward (8+1), his last action for the Swans for now coming in a meeting victory clinching 3-3 for them at Putney, the result in heat 14 taking the Swans over the line, a 5-1 from Cameron Richards (12+2) and Daniel Mucha (12+1) increasing their margin of victory at Tibbetts Corner to a record breaking 12 points.

In-between their two league defeats a home win for Putney over Kent in the Division One Cup. However a hollow one, at 48-42 it fell short of achieving them a bonus point, meaning Brighton would follow sectional winners Kent into the semi-finals from the group. Like Kent, Swanage had already secured their spot in the last four of the competition prior to this weeks final round of meetings, they did however go down to a first defeat of this years campaign, meaningless to them, however the 47-42 win was good enough for West Ham to pip Reading to a place in the semi-finals. The Dockers—who are looking to lift the trophy for a record equalling fourth time—will take on Kent in the last four, holders Brighton meet Swanage at the knock out stage in a repeat of last years final.

A strong start for three of our clubs in this years European Cup, but Brighton have plenty of work to do if they are to reach the semi-finals. The holders were held to a home first round first leg draw by Lublin, with world number five Tommy Leinonen (16) dominating the scoring for the visitors. Swanage, West Ham and Reading meanwhile all enjoyed comfortable double-digit home wins against European League opposition, the latter especially enjoying their night against Horsens, who they beat 56-34 with the help of maximums from Craig Chapman (15) and Pavel Vonasek (14+1).

Wordsley moved out of the division two relegation zone with a win at promotion chasing Wirral. Ally Carroll’s side tallied an impressive 12 race wins on their way to recording their first away victory since their promotion from the third tier. It still though took successive 4-2’s in the closing two races to see out the 43-47 success, reserve Joel Stewart (6+1) becoming the sixth different visiting rider to win a race in heat 14, before Emils Zunters (14) sealed the points with his fourth win of the night in the last. Wirral latter picked up a point for a draw at Cradley, that though also feeling like a defeat for the Warriors, who had led by four before conceding a 5-1 in the final race. The Comets had lost their six previous league meetings. Warrington’s home meeting with Nottingham also ended all-square, Blazej Polacek completing his fourth 15 point full maximum of the campaign with a last heat win for the Jazz. In division three both Tresco (at Benfleet) and Bracklesham (at Witham) enjoyed narrow 44-46 away wins, with the former going on to lose at home to Bilston, 41-49, a result which takes the Bull Terriers back into the promotion places.