A superb maximum from Witches new second string signing Martin Huffman (13+2) has helped send the holders through to the Division One Cup semi-finals for the third successive season. A 57-33 double bonus point clinching victory over Linlithgow ensued Stowmarket’s progression to the last four at the expense of Wimbledon, who miss out on qualification from the group by just a point. There’s no doubting that last weeks £300,000 addition from Prague made all the difference, the 24 year old making himself an immediate fans favourite by dominating proceedings on in his first ever meeting at Green Meadow. Having won heat three on his track debut he went on to claim 5-1’s alongside his countryman Oliver Schmidt (9+1) in heats five and nine, he was then involved in both the back-to-back maximums that saw the home side clinch their decisive 57-33 victory in the closing stages of the clash. Huffman won the penultimate race ahead of reserve Orban Vamos (5+2) to set up the chance of securing the four group points from the meeting in the last, he then defended fellow unbeaten Witch’ Paul Hope (15) from the challenge of Dirk Miller (10) in the decider. Second spot then for Stowmarket behind Leeds in the group, the Jaguars completing the qualifiers with a 100% record in tact after winning at Wentworth this week 43-47, 17 year old Liam Carter scoring 11+1 from five rides in only his third ever appearance for the full side. It has to be said both teams were far from being at full strength, the Leeds septet’s combined GSA a little over 32, the host’s 38, but still an encouraging showing from the Academy star. Leeds—who lifted the trophy in three successive seasons prior to last year—face Cradley Heath in the last four, the Cobras didn’t race this week but held on to a top two finish in their section after Coalville failed to win at Brickhill. The Kings falling just short having drawn the meeting, Eastbourne won their away clash at Runcorn, 43-47, to go through to a semi-final tie with Stowmarket.

Coalville were beaten at home for the first time this season with Leeds claiming their annual victory at Kings Meadow. It’s the fourth year in succession that the Jaguars have won in the top flight at the venue, 11 heat wins going their way in the latest 42-48 success. One of those 11 was claimed by Liam Carter, with the 17 year old beating Kings heat leader Maurizio Giacomini in heat 12, in which the visitors earned their second 5-1 of the meeting. The defeat saw Coalville slip to second in the standings, but Alan Fellows side end the week back top after they recovered to win at Runcorn, 44-46, second string Jay Kelly (10+1) racing to two victories and a vital third behind Travis Foxman (14) in a last heat decider. Elsewhere a 41-49 win at Linlithgow helped Wentworth close to within three points of the league leaders, the Trappers maiden division one away victory secured with a race to spare, a mouth-watering televised trip to Leeds their next big test of their top flight credentials.

A first away league win in over a year had taken Calderwood into the promotion places in division two. Christopher Wilson’s side moved to within a point of leaders Derby with a 44-46 victory at Swindon, they going in front for the third time on the night with a heat 14 Oleg Gabulov (9)/Hamish MacKay (6+2) 4-2, it sticking on this occasion, with Jaroslaw Szyszko (12) securing both points with victory over the host’s top two in the last.

Away wins maybe at a premium in division two in SL30—Calderwood’s only the third in 14 rounds of racing—not so in the bottom tier with three alone this week. The first was returned in the then top-of-the-table clash at Greenhill, where Hale’s septet had the measure of their opposite numbers. Six different race winners in all for the visitors in the 43-47 success, with a notable performance from second string Edward Krashchowitz (9+2), who dropped just a point in the contest. The Lurchers slip to third in the week, to be replaced by Margate, whose second away win in their short history was claimed at Small Heath. Two more fine performances by visiting second strings, with a combined three race wins for Aaron Redstone (7) and debutant Tommy Jutila (7+1). Small Heath replace Mid Cams at the bottom of the league standings, the Harriers up to eighth following their 42-48 win at Claygate, a meeting they led in from start to finish.

Brickhill’s Nathan Elliott (14) provided British success in the WU19 semi-final at Earley. Elliott also won his BU19 semi final earlier in the season. Pole’ Krzysztof Zielinski (13)—on loan at Hale from Stowmarket—won the second of the qualifiers in Prague.