Swanage’s defence of the European Cup is over before if really got going after they suffered their first aggregate defeat to European League opposition since SL20. Winners of the competition in two of the last three years and at least semi-finalists in every one of the eight seasons they’ve featured in since that loss 15 years ago, many thought the Swans experience would see them come through their opening tie in Pori, despite holding just a four point advantage from the first leg. A poor start in Finland however saw them fall behind to a heat one 5-1 won by world number four Aarno Saarinen (14), three races later the hosts got their noses in front on aggregate, Yassir Mellum (11+1) claiming the first of what would be three straight wins for him in a Pori 4-2. Heat advantages were traded in the next two, bringing the scores back level, a situation that remained in place right up to the final race of the tie thanks to a run of eight consecutive 3-3’s. The deadlock was broken in the decider in favour of the hosts, Saarinen claiming a crucial victory over Bradley Williams (12), Mellum picking up the decisive point for third ahead of Swans captain Joshua Ward (9). Pori progress by two as a result and will meet Kent in the semi-finals, the Steelers having completed a 14 point win over Lublin on their debut in the competition with a draw in Poland this week. The second semi-final is an all-British affair, with West Ham—who saw off Krakow by four with a last heat Cameron Richards win in Poland—being paired with Brighton, who beat Prague 81-99 over two legs in round one.

A second away win of the season has taken third placed West Ham within two points of leaders Peak Dean at the head of the division one standings. At 39-51 it equalled their biggest success in the league on the road since they won at the same venue three seasons ago, in fact they’ve now won three in a row at Brune Park, the home of Nottingham. 5-1’s in heats three and seven from the excellent Anthony Norwood (9+2) and Vayk Kari (12+2)—who dropped just one point apiece to an opponent—got the Dockers on their way, with further 5-1’s in heats 14 and 15—Kari won the first and finished second to Cameron Richards (13+1) in the second—completing the rout. Meanwhile Swanage lost ground on the top four after being held to a home draw by Reading, who had been on course for their second successive league win on the Days Park circuit before conceding a last heat 5-1.

24 year old Sladan Bruhn (12) will make his Grand Prix debut after qualifying for the SL35 series by winning the Scandinavian Final in Malmo. The Dane—who is currently on loan at Tresco from Newcastle—becomes the first name on this years GP rider list, he was quickly followed through by fellow podium men in Malmo, current world number six, Robart Buus (11), plus SL33 world number seven, Kimmo Laakso (11). Those finishing fourth to seventh will get another shot of qualification when riding in next months Play-Off round, the current world numbers three and four—Tommy Leinonen (10) and Aarno Saarinen (10)—were amongst that quartet.

A 15 point maximum saw Cameron Sherwood land the SL35 BU21 title in Reading this week. It’s two from two in the competition for Sherwood—who also won the BU19 title back in SL33—and three from three for riders from Swanage, with Aaron Gilbert taking the title in a Swans race-jacket two years ago.

Bracklesham boss Nick Ward will be confident that his side will be in the hat for the KO Cup quarter-final draw after they won the first leg of their second round tie at Tresco. In a topsy-turvy meeting the Rhinos scored two 5-1’s in the opening three races but would trail by six after the first nine, only to come back to win at their third division opponents, 43-47, thanks largely to 5-1’s in heats 12 and 14. The winner of the tie will be one of three guaranteed from outside of the top flight to feature in the quarter-finals, Bilston have a good chance of making it four after they limited their division one hosts Newcastle to a 46-44 first leg win in their last-16 tie, second string Danny Fox (9) impressive for the visitors with three heat wins in that.

Warrington’s lead at the top of division three has been cut from six points to zero after their run of eight straight league wins came to an abrupt halt. A couple of 43-47 defeats on the bounce for the Vikings, including one at home against Lothian, who secured all three league points at the Chemzcal with a last heat 5-1. Closest rivals Dudley Wood and Tresco took full advantage of the Vikings downturn in form, with the former winning at Ellon, 43-47, while the Tigers scored a 44-46 victory at Calne thanks to a last heat 5-1 from Sladen Bruhn (12) and Miroslav Kulich (11+1).