|
|
|
|
Crown Edition - ENHANCED
- news - div one - div two - div three - other results - transfer list - averages - statistics - - more statistics - rider search: gsa/age - rider search: name - international tables/averages - honours -
Comment now on the latest news at the Forum LIONS DOUBLE UP IN FOURS Swinton take second trophy of SL32 Swinton added to their Division One Cup success with victory in the final of this season’s 4TT. A second piece of silverware in as many weeks for the Lions, and a second in the 4TT competition in three years for Steve Pearce’s side, with Stone Cross once again finishing as runners-up. The Crusaders were second best to the Lions back in SL30 and had also finished with the silver medals four years previous, the 4TT remains the only competition the club have yet to win. It’s another year of waiting for Stuart Smith’s side, who were always playing catch-up in what quickly turned into a two horse race for the trophy. Swinton in front from their home first leg in which Pavel Zirnis (12) scored a maximum, the Lions quartet—in which Ryan Webb was the only SL30 winner—taking 34 points on the night to the Crusaders’ 25. A good enough starting total for Stone Cross, but they slipped further adrift in the next two, with Swinton finishing a strong second to leg two hosts Birkenhead—Zirnis (10) top scoring again for the Lions—before winning the third leg at Southampton thanks to a superb showing from their fourth averaged rider in the squad, Christopher Ellis (11). Swinton led by 18 going into the decider at Stone Cross, an advantage that was never threatened despite the hostile atmosphere. In fact the Lions led on the night for much of the early stages, going four up at one point thanks to an Ellis victory in heat seven. Five races later Tom Parsons’ (9) second victory of the night secured Swinton their aggregate victory, their celebrations beginning with still four heats remaining!TODAY: Shorts Stone Cross (56 points) have gained a point on Birkenhead (54) ahead of their crucial top of the table clash next week. The league leaders claimed bonus points in both their latest division one fixtures, however the Bombers missed out on one heartbreakingly at Auckland, a 49-40 defeat leaving them 90-89 adrift of the Rhinos on aggregate. With the top two facing each other in the penultimate round of racing, Southampton (50) are now out of contention, that despite them recording a 43-47 victory at Rugby in their latest meeting. Swinton (52) in third can mathematically finish top, but are huge outsiders to do so. Rugby’s (32) fifth home defeat of the campaign leaves them facing relegation after three years at this level, they slip to ninth, four points adrift of Eastbourne (36)—who they travel to next in a huge six pointer—and safety. Dundee (34) sit between the pair, they travel to Rugby on the final day. Bottom side Auckland (30) require a miraculous set of results to survive.
Bullbridge’s (49) failure to win their home meeting with Wednesfield (57) meant Greenhill (62) could celebrate promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt. With three rounds of racing to spare the Greyhounds certain to go up, as now are Wednesfield, who went on to follow up their draw at the Bandits with a top three spot clinching home win over Grangemouth. It’s the first time Wednesfield—who joined division three in SL29—will race at the highest level. Bullbridge’s hopes of joining them were dented by that draw, however mathematically they remain in the hunt after going on to hold current third placed side Nottingham (52) to a draw on their travels, Gavin Gordon (11) securing a point for the hosts with a last heat victory over visiting duo, Teemu Niemi (10+1) and Graham Elrick (12+1). At the other end of the table a 44-46 home defeat at the hands of Birstall (39) has relegated Bolsover (23), the Bulls now all but safe, with their fourth away win of the campaign pulling them six points clear of Purton (33) and Liden (33) in seventh and eighth respectively. Ninth placed Cirencester (28) are all but down with just two meetings remaining.
Tweed confirmed they will join Lakeside as a promoted side in division two next season with a 60-30 mauling of Stepps. Maximums from Jonathan Mackler (15), Christer Krantz (14+1) and second string Raymond George (9+3) taking the SL32 rookies to a club record win, and to promotion with three rounds to spare.
Krakow’s Olesia Duda (12) has moved to within a couple of points of securing a first World Championship title after earning GP win number three of the series this week. The 25 year old won the British round of the series in front of a record 20,000 plus crowd at Southampton, a heat 20 victory over home nation favourite Andy Daniel (11) decisive, with Daniel having to settle for the runners-up spot in the meeting as a result. James Power (10) became the second British rider on the podium after beating Sergey Guerk in a race-off. Duda leads the overall standings by 14 points from defending champion Luca Romano (8) heading into the final round in Krakow. There was no Polish title though for Duda, who finished second on his home circuit to Eastbourne's Zarek Wieczorek (14) in this years final.
Comment now on the latest news at the Forum |
|
