Monarch Edition

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Newquay Knights promoter Alan Stewart described the situation in division two as ‘crazy’ prior to this weeks action, the Knights going into their two league meetings a point off relegation AND a point off promotion! ‘Crazy’ was spot-on for what was to follow, the Knights following up a 20 point win over Sandwell with a 43-47 success at the then leaders Sankey Sharks, the one loss for the home side seeing them slip from top spot to fifth in the table! The injury hit visitors had Marcin Kepczynski (6+1) guesting at heat leader, but he made little impact, it was two early wins from reserve James Tomlinson (7) that got Newquay on their way to success, home promoter Derek Moody will perhaps rue the fact that he left out his own key reserve Brendan Jeffrey from the fixture, Moody will quickly need to find the right combination if the Sharks promotion ambitions are to get back on track. The inclusion of a three pointer in Ben Cross (0) was suppose to give the hosts more strength at the top end to close out the meeting, however the reverse happened, Newquay claiming the final three race victories, including two from Luke Talia (14), in clinching the league points. They move up into the third promotion place in the table, just above them lie Friston—who return to the top of the pile—and Great Barr Bandits who climbed to second with a 44-46 victory at bottom of the table Wandsworth. Reserve Paul Walker (11+1) was the undoubted star of the Bandits victory, this his 42nd meeting of the year for the club, but it was the first time he’d hit double figures, his second win of the night in heat 12 taking the visitors eight clear of their hosts and all but sealing what was their third league away win of the campaign. Elsewhere Orkney Outlaws great form continued, a run of six wins has seen them climb from ninth to fourth, their latest success a 38-52 win at Sandwell, recent addition to the line up David Last (10+1) one of three Orkney riders to score in double figures on the night.

Quantock Rangers will go into their top of the table clash at Irlam next week in great heart, they having taking over from the Tigers at the head of the standings thanks to a 43-47 victory at West Norwood, who are now without a win in four. The Kestrels poor run of form has coincided with the departures of David Last and Audun Gashi, Phillip Thomas (4+2) was one of the replacements, he has failed dismally to live up to his 8.00 point assessed mark, although at least the change in averages leaves him on a more realistic 5.45 figure. However it may be too late to halt their slide to division two, the defeat leaving them five adrift of safety. Quantock didn’t have it all their own way in the clash, they falling eight behind their hosts by the end of heat four and were still six adrift past the halfway mark. A tactical substitute win for the excellent Wade Dunn (18) began a run of six race victories in the final seven for the visitors though, Dunn claiming his fourth success of the spell in the final race to clinch the points. Elsewhere Merseyside Marauders upturn in fortunes continued with a 44-46 victory at California, Tyron Short (8)—who’s been sharing team duties with Slovak youngster Marian Shuchanock over the past month—showing again he’s worth of a more permanent position in the team.

England’s hope of a first World Cup final appearance are all but over after a second successive defeat in the second group stage of this season’s competition, the Lions going down 52-38 to Australia in Pila, Iain Johnson (15) unbeaten for the holders. Daniel Wood (6) was a last minute inclusion at reserve for the Lions, his appearance in place of the injured Tony Islam the only change from last weeks defeat against Poland.

At 36 Joshua Cole has left it late to make an impact on the World stage, but the Aussie is keen to make up for lost time, the 25-1 outsider the surprise winner of this season’s British GP. Having already won two qualifying rounds on the way to the series his victory should not have really come as a shock, but the Pila man barely got a mention in pundits pre-meeting round-up. A last in his opening race at Manchester didn’t bode well for Cole, however a change of gearing to his bike added much needed speed to his obvious skill, he going on to win all four of his remaining heats to win the contest by a point from Kent Nedergaard (11). Rami Tjernstrom (1) took third after a race-off win over Radim Sivok, while Jason Johnson still leads the series by a point, despite scoring just eight in the latest round.

Don Valley Vipers will be firm favourites to lift the KO Cup for a fourth time in five years next month, they going through to the final in emphatic style this week, a 30 point aggregate win over California completed with a 38-52 semi final second leg success on the road as for the third time this season against the Poppies Rami Tjernstrom (15) went through the card unbeaten. Southampton Scorpions stand in their way of a fourth win in the competition, they through to their first final after completing a comfortable 14 point aggregate success against second division Gateshead.

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