Winners of two competitions last season, Houston have made an impressive start in their bid to add to their growing trophy count in SL16. Opening up with a draw at Long Eaton, the Colts went on to race to two huge double figure home wins, which included a double bonus point clinching success over Totton in the Division One Cup, a trophy they lifted for a third time in six years in SL15. It would have been three wins from three but for the concession of a last heat 5-1 on their opening day trip to Long Eaton, looking to record their first victory in the last 13 attempts at the Perksdome, the visitors had to settle for a draw after Tabor Andros (12) was beaten for the first time in the clash, nonetheless an encouraging start for the Hungarian in his maiden competitive meeting for the club. Andros’s fourth straight victory of the night had come in a 5-1 in the previous race, key man at reserve, Neil Rollins, finishing second in that to take his tally to 9+3 in what was only his 38th league appearance for the club he’s been on the books at for the last 14 years! It certainly seems the 28 year old will play an important role for George Seymour’s outfit in his latest season, he going on to score 10+1 in Houston’s later 22 point league win over Bradford, a result which sees them top the division one standings on points difference from Hallamshire. The Sheffield side themselves had taken a point off Bradford earlier in week, their opening day meeting at their fellow Yorkshiremen ending all-square despite the visitors falling six behind late on, Marcin Jaworski (10+2) and Julian Harrison (12+1) 5-1’s in heats 13 and 15 seeing the defending champions recover from that losing position.

Houston’s strong start in seven-man team competition wasn’t matched in the Pairs, with the SL6 and SL10 winners of the competition suffering a third first round exit in four years. Both themselves and fellow top flight side Totton failed to make the cut in the tie at Stoke, which was won by Sedgley’s Alex Zakreshevsky (15) and Beck Sundling (8). The second tier duo clinched the meeting win by a point from the holders with the minor places behind Southend’s Jone Bergen in the final race of the night, the top two will be joined by Halesowen in round two from the tie. Two more division one clubs have also failed to make in through to next weeks second round, with Bradford—who despite having the highest averaged partnership in the competition—exiting at Buxton and Chesterfield at Balham. Those meetings were won by Caversham (24) and Balham (27) respectively, with Buxton, Harringay, Mansfield and East Hull completing the list of qualifiers from the two ties. Long Eaton (27) meanwhile look a strong bet to reach the final for a fourth successive season, Allan Robertson (15) and Adam Lucas (12) scoring four successive 5-1’s to take the first round meeting win at Perth by a clear five points from the hosts, the Pairs is the only major competition the Rifles have yet to win. Stirling qualified through from third spot, while both holders Belfast and last years runners-up Hallamshire received byes in round one.

Sedgley scored an opening week away league win for the first time since SL1. The victory was returned at Buxton, where they have now won three out of their last four in all competitions. Top scoring with 12+2, second string Joseph Howarth was the standout performer for the visitors in the win, his only dropped point coming in the final heat when Sam Thomas (16) claimed his fifth straight win for the hosts, however with Howarth and Beck Sundling (11+2) picking up the minor places the Sprites took both points, 44-46. The recently relegated side went on to claim a club record 62-28 victory over Wednesfield, a result which is good enough to see them end the week top of division two on points difference from Ernsford Grange. The 56ers—seeking to win promotion to the top flight for the first time—also won home and away, the latter victory returned on their long trip to Shetland, 43-47, where 32 year old American Jesus Dollar (15) scored only his second full career league maximum. 20 year old Joel King (8+1) also impressed for the visitors at second string. Meanwhile another club record for Sedgley in the Division Two Cup, an all-time best away winning margin of 14 for them in any version of that competition when they beat Shetland, Swinton claimed a road trip success in the other half of the draw, winning at Mansfield, 43-47.

A seventh WSO meeting win for Mansfield’s Connor Nicholls (14) at the age of 20 as he took victory in his BU21 semi-final at Alfreton. The SL14 WU19 Champion making himself favourite to take this title for the second time in his career after beating Taylor Swift in a race-off for the meeting success, defending champion Callum Armstrong (11) was fourth. The second of the semi-finals at Ernsford Grange was won by Swinton’s Harry Buckley (14).