Cambridge have ended a run a seven consecutive first round Division One Cup exits by reaching the semi-finals of the competition with a 50-40 home win over Nottingham. They went all the way to the final the last time they made it through the group stage, losing out to Sedgemoor in the SL13 decider. But it’s Sedgemoor who are the ones suffering 17 years on, with the battle for the all-important runners-up spot in their section behind Whitemoor going the way of the Cougars by a point. The Rebels had the points difference in their favour despite going down to a final round 48-42 loss at Rugby, so for Cambridge it was imperative they took a bonus point from their meeting with the Red Stars. A run of three successive 4-2’s from heat 11 onwards set them up with the opportunity of nabbing the extra point, reserve Nelek Zielinski (6+1) picking up two crucial third places in succession after making passes, including one on visiting heat leader Anton Zontor (8). Nottingham number one Daniel Wedin (9+1) would also trail in last as part of the sequence of Cougars successes, he beaten by both Martin Skoog (9+1) and Morten Hartmann (9) in heat 13. It would be Iain Babic (13) that would secure Paul Jarman’s side their progression however, the experienced Aussie making it four wins in row on the night in the last to ensure his side the necessary double digit victory. Cambridge go through to face Chalvington, who top the other first round group with a 100% record after completing their qualification campaign with a 55-35 victory over Bridgwater. It’s only the sixth time in 15 seasons that the Chiefs have made it passed the first round stage, they have yet to win the competition. Despite their huge defeat at Chalvington, Bridgwater held on to qualify from second spot which takes them into the semi-finals for the sixth successive season, they will face holders Whitemoor at the knockout stage, a fifth straight semi-final for them.

Last years division three champions Newington end the week in their highest ever league position. Phil Watmough’s side now lie second in division two and on an unbeaten league run of five, their latest success a 43-47 victory at Claygate. After an indifferent start to life at the Rebels—he a late pre-season addition from Smethwick—it’s the form of Sebastian Koch (14+1 from six) that is key to their success, he top scored as Newington overturned a six point deficit to win at the Riders, a comeback which began with Koch’s second place finish to Bengt Karim (13) in heat 11 and was completed with his victory in a 4-2 in the last heat decider. Claygate slip to the bottom of the standings following the loss, also on the way down are March, who suffered their first home defeat of the campaign with the visit of Broadwell. Staffan Sanquist scored 17 for the Boars as they took that one 42-48 with a run of three 5-1’s in the final five races.

Joshua Hooper (12) has done his bit to turn Great Barr from relegation candidates to promotion hopefuls since signing for Peter Hay’s side late last season. Now he’s turned his attention to the individual stage, he landing only his fourth career WSO meeting win at the age of 29 in this weeks World Championship tie at Bridgwater. Hooper—who is also part of the England team this season—topped the standings in the first round meeting by a point from Vidar Juhl (2nd), Stuart Barnett (3rd) and world number 11 Michael Langhorne (4th), who fought out a race-off for the minor podium spots. World number seven Jason Danoff (9) was amongst the qualifiers for round two, however another of the SL29 GP contingent Dmitry Selesov (7) missed the cut. Home advantage helped world number 16 Brandeis Knapik (13) win the second of this weeks ties in Malmo.