From the moment second string Neil Burns (8+2) crossed the line to win heat one there was no doubt that Leeds would clinch their fourth straight league title against Stowmarket. It’s almost as if they planned it this way, to celebrate the success at their Hawthorne Bowl fortress was fitting, it is results here that have won this for them. Some can match their record on the road, none do so on home shale, Leeds have now won their last 40 successive meetings at their own stadium, a run that goes back to SL30. As with last season it’s 18 wins out of 18 for Leeds at the Hawthorne, their 18th secured against the Witches when their top two of Aaron Macaulay (12) and Daniel Lake (7)—who have been ever-present for the Jaguars this season—scored a 4-2 in heat 13. An eighth title for Leeds means they now go above Eastbourne (seven) in the all-time winners list and after making it four on the bounce, promoter Darren Evans will now plan how to match the Seagulls record of five successive wins they achieved between SL15 and SL19. But their lies a warning of how things can turn around in this sport, Eastbourne haven’t won the title since that SL19 success, and this week they were relegated following a 30 year run in the top flight. A crucial dropped bonus point at Wimbledon proved very costly in the end to the Seagulls, a 48-41 defeat on the night resulting in a 90-89 aggregate loss! Heartbreaking. They did earn all three points in their later home meeting against Linlithgow, 48-42, however both Runcorn (-24) and Coalville (-55) would finish above Eastbourne (-61) on points difference. Only one of the three could survive, that one was Runcorn despite a 49-41 final day defeat at Coalville, the Rockets clinching a decisive bonus point by four on aggregate with Frank Klein’s (15+1) last heat win over Travis Foxman.

He may have led the series after three rounds, but not many had Fiske Wahlquist (13) down as their World Champion prior to the eighth and final tie of the GP campaign. However the 24 year old series debutant has taken the gold medal after winning the meeting in Krakow, his maiden GP success landing him the title by a point from Belal Fabian (13), pre-meeting title favourite Aaron Macaulay (6) could only finish third overall. If it wasn’t Macaulay’s it should have been defending world champion’s Piotr Slusarski’s (5), but like the Brit he had a very off night in Poland, they managing just a single win apiece. At 24 Wahlquist is the future, the Sweden international star has stepped up to top flight racing superbly after making the pre-season switch from Normanton to Wentworth, he becomes only the second rider to win the World title after becoming Scandinavian Champion. He’s in good company, Henri Myllyniemi was the first. It was a close run thing however, after three straight heat wins Wahlquist was beaten by Fabian in heat 13 and then Dirk Miller in his final race of the meeting, leaving both Fabian and Macaulay with shots at the title in the final race. However both were beaten by Martin Huffman (10), much to the delight of the Wahlquist entourage.

He may have ended the season out on loan at Wolverhampton but Runcorn will be looking at Kari Kinnunen as the rider to help them to success in SL33. The 20 year old Finn rounded off his best ever season by taking the WU21 crown at Leeds, winning the final by a point from Jur Kleir (12), home track rider Brit’ Liam Carter (11) was third.

Cradley Heath claimed their biggest prize in their 16 year history by winning this season’s KO Cup final. A 50-40 second leg loss at Wentworth in the decider, but a four point aggregate win for Carl Hadlington’s Cobras, who secured the silverware with the minor places in the final heat. Both finalists will race in the European Cup next season, Wentworth for the first time, Cradley for the fourth year in succession. As league champions Leeds also get that honour, with the fourth and final spot going to Stowmarket, who clinched third in the league standings with a final day 57-33 win over Cradley.

Huntingdon and Coventry were successful in the three-way battle for the final two promotion places to division one. Both will race again in the top flight after a year away, Greenhill miss out after suffering a 22 point loss at Derby, who needed that victory for second tier survival. They stay up at the expense of Wolverhampton, who lost their relegation six-pointer at Hale, 50-40. Coming up from division three are Beverley—who secured the third tier championship with a final day two point win over Kelso—plus Calderwood—who like the Hammers were relegated last season—and Small Heath.

England beat Denmark 44-46 in Horsens to secured the International League title for the first time since SL25. Denmark, who were the two-times defending champions—were relegated following the meeting in which Morgan Bird (11+1) top scored for the visitors.