Whitemoor will bid to become the ninth different British winner of the European Cup after reaching the final of the competition for the first time. They did so in dramatic fashion, last years defeated semi-finalists getting it right on this occasion, if only just, with a last heat 4-2 in Prague taking the Witches through to the decider by a single point. The unbeaten Bernd Hoover (14+1) took the chequered flag in heat 15 from home second string Svenee Slott (11+1), the 23 year old slightly out of his depth in such a big race having come up against a twice World Champion. Just a crucial was the point for the third claimed by the second of the Witches current GP contingent— Cestmir Sulak (16)—the Czech international dropping his first points of the night after being beaten by Slott, however that didn’t bother him or the small, but vocal, travelling support one bit, he was in front of Marcin Nowakowski (9) and that’s all that mattered to him or the Witches. Leading by six from the first leg, Trevor Walker’s side twice fell behind on aggregate to home side 5-1’s in Prague—who they also beat over two legs in the first round of last years competition—but recovered immediately on both occasions, Sulak coming in to win his tactical substitute ride in a 5-1 with Hoover in heat 12, plus of course those last heat heroics. Whitemoor will take on Krakow for the silverware, the two-times winners—who beat the Witches in the last four in SL28—progressing to the final for a fifth time after completing a comfortable 16 point aggregate win over Bridgwater, reserve Lech Sobczak (10+1) amongst the heat winners in their 52-38 home second leg win over the Baboons.

A second home defeat to leaders Whitemoor looks to have ended any realistic hopes of a successful defence to the league title for Bridgwater. The defending champions going down 44-46 at the Tractor Racing Arena after conceding a last heat 5-1 to Bernd Hoover (15)—who is now very much in the “former” fan favourite category as far as the Baboons supporters are concerned—and his fellow heat leader, Skjold Likness (12+1). Whitemoor end the week a healthy five points clear of Newport Pagnell in second and three further better off than third placed Chalvington, their bid for a maiden championship title continues at bottom side Netherton next week, who ended a club record run of ten straight league defeats with a six point home win over Sedgemoor. After Netherton it’s on to the top of the table clash with the Knights, who have lost on all their previous 17 visits to the Sheepcroft!

Nottingham have gone top of the division two table for the first time this season. Relegated last turn, the Red Stars made an inauspicious start to the SL29 league campaign, losing six of their first seven. A run of eight straight wins turned their season on it’s head, the highlight of the year though came this week at Bolsover, where they won the top of the table clash by a whopping ten point margin. A later 52-37 home win over March would nudge them clear of the Kings on points difference, but it’s that victory at the Castle Ground they have to thank for reaching the summit, a success secured with a heat 14 4-2 won by star of the night, Anton Zontar (9+2). The second string dropped just a point in the meeting in equalling his best score of the campaign, he also paid for wins behind Mark Lyons in heats three and ten 5-1’s, Lyons went on to finish second in a last heat 5-1 behind Daniel Wedin (14). Despite the defeat, Bolsover remain five points clear of fourth placed Glasshoughton in the promotion race, the Gazelles having also lost at home for the first time in the current campaign, their defeat though coming against a side that went into the meeting bottom of the table! Great Barr pulled off the shock 43-47 victory despite their riders winning just five races in the meeting, three of which came in the final five races, including a brace from Sebastian Koch (12) in decisive heat 14 and 15 4-2’s.

Kesgrave ended division three leaders Newington’s six meeting winning league run with a 51-39 victory over the rookies. A first home dropped point would follow for Phil Watmough’s side, they held to a draw at the Red 5 Arena by Longbridge, who despite the point gained drop out of the promotion places. They are replaced in the top three by Plymouth, who opened the week with a 40-50 victory at bottom of the table Bristol.

Three-time Czech champion Cestmir Sulak (12) turned a first GP podium into a maiden victory with a race-off win in this season’s series opener. Sulak beat Tomasz Blasik (2nd) and his Whitemoor team mate Bernd Hoover (3rd) in the extra race which decided the destination of SL29 European GP title in Glasshoughton, Andy James (7)—the only home nation rider in the field—finished down in ninth and without a heat win.