Laceby boss Martin Smith had foretold of a tricky encounter when league leaders Denaby paid their first ever visit to New Station Road this week. Before the start of the division one clash he spoke of a “house of cards” that was liable to “collapse”. Given the Devils form they perhaps didn’t need any encouragement, but the weakness in sentiment could have only helped the visitors, who took the lead on three separate occasions early on before making it stick. Heat seven, nine and 12 5-1’s did the job, Callum Osborne (8) winning the first and third of those, while 22 year old reserve Harry Francis (7+2) finished second to him in heat 12 having earned the same position behind Lesta Markoff (12) three races earlier. Markoff’s victory in heat 13 would go on to confirm the Devils second away win of the campaign. A 47-43 home victory over Manor followed for Steve Pearce’s side, second string Ladislav Zgonc (12) and Francis (8+3) securing maximum points in that with a race to spare, they were needed to keep hold of top spot in the standings, as Merseyside were also securing maximum points in the week down at Southampton. The Marauders second away win of the campaign, 42-47, sealed with a last heat 5-1 from Sebastian Lofstrom (12) and the unbeaten Shane Goodwin (14+1). Merseyside’s next away league fixture is a mouth-watering clash at Don Valley, who remain a point adrift of the top two in third after back-to-back wins, the first returned at Ramsgate, 44-46. Valeri Lach’s (13) last heat win over Alexander Wagner (15)—who’d won a home side 5-1 a race earlier as a tactical substitute—secured the Vipers their third straight league win at the venue.

A great week for Brighton whose three wins from three resulted in them going top of the second tier standings and reaching the Division Two Cup semi-finals. They make the last four of the latter—a competition they won three years ago—with a meeting to spare thanks to a emphatic 58-32 home win over Somerset, that came on the back of a 43-47 league win at Bolsover. Again a strong performance at reserve from Tyler Ford (7+2) helped the Bombers cause, with his third place finish in heat 14 securing Glenn Martin’s side their second away win since their relegation. Previous leaders Buxton slip to third after they lost the later top of the table clash at Brighton, 49-41, despite this the Braves will be happy enough with their lot given they’d earlier confirmed themselves a semi-final place in the Division Two Cup with a six point home win over Sankey. Birmingham also go above Buxton in the standings, they winning at Sankey in the league 43-47 thanks to a last heat 4-2 won by second string Aarno Raisanen (11).

London closed to within points difference of division three leaders Whiteley with a brace of four point victories. Their first came in the top of the table clash between the pair in the capital, in which the hosts Bojan Kraka (14) won a last heat decider. Kraka was also instrumental in the Jaguars away success at Nottingham, he winning a heat 15 5-1 in which Sanel Tigtanj (14+3) picked up a decisive second place. Meanwhile Whiteley have become the first side to reach the Division Three Cup semi-finals this season, a 53-37 win over Newquay taking them through. Benfleet and London boosted their chances of a last four berth, with both recording away wins this week.