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Comment now on the latest news at the Forum TOPMAN Silver suits Miracles Another extraordinary result for Manor who are seemingly worlds apart from their rivals this season. A second home and away double over Southampton in a club competition in SL24 has taken them to the Division One Cup silverware for the first time in their history, the Pairs trophy now the only major domestic prize they have yet to win. John Shuttler will certainly be sick of the sight of those in a Miracles race-jacket, his Scorpions having now lost five and drew one of the six meetings between the two sides in the space of 11 weeks, the latest clash ending in a 42-48 defeat for the hosts at Michigan Park, which in turn led to a 12 point aggregate victory for the visitors. It was an aggregate victory that was sealed by the first of two late 5-1’s from Dale Bailey (14) and Waclaw Kozlowski (12+2) in heat 13, the two dropping just a point apiece in a meeting in which six different riders from Andy Barton’s side would pick up race wins. In all two-thirds of the heat victories went the way of the dominant Miracles, including seven in the space of eight races which would turn a two point deficit on the night into a six point advantage for them, a sequence only broken after the successful use of Blake Gray (10) as a tactical substitute by Southampton in heat ten. A resulting 4-2 there though was the first heat advantage by the hosts since the opening race, not good enough for a club looking to add to their three wins in the competition. Their hopes of ending a run of five years without a trophy now lie with the 4TT, the final of which takes place next week, where Manor are once again amongst their opponents! TODAY: Shorts A 42-48 victory at Buxton took Laceby to the Division Two Cup title for the first time, three years after they won the top tier version of the competition. In all likelihood the Avenues will be back at the highest level next season, picking up some silverware along the way to achieving that goal is a welcome addition. Two 5-1’s in the second half of the meeting in Staffordshire involving reserve Mathew Sharpe (7+5) helped Martin Smith’s side to their first ever victory at the venue, the aggregate success—which would eventually be by 20 points—confirmed with four heats remaining.
Having won the first leg of their final tie at London, it was of no surprise that SL23 Pairs winners Whiteley picked up their second piece of club silverware in their short history in this years Division Three Cup. Darren Jones’ side won the return leg by ten to complete a 14 point aggregate victory, going 22-8 up early on when scoring the second of two 5-1’s in the first five races.
A delighted home crowd was witness to 22 year old Joseph Wall (15) becoming the youngest winner of the British Championship since another Don Valley rider—Leon Creer—took the title 17 years ago. It’s 19 years since anyone scored a maximum in the final, Wall flawless in finishing top of the podium from Shane Goodwin (12), who won a race-off against Graham Hancock for the minor places. Twice a BU21 Champion, this was Wall’s seventh career win in a WSO meeting.
Shane Goodwin (4th) would miss out on a second podium in the week after losing a race-off to Samuel Murphy (2nd) and fellow Brit’ Dale Bailey (3rd) for the runners-up spot in the Danish GP. The trio all scored 11 points in the Horsens meeting, they beaten to top spot by a point by Manor’s Waclaw Kozloswski. Kozlowski’s second victory of this years GP series takes him five points clear at the top of the World Championship standings, the 25 year old able to pull away at the summit after closest rival and defending champion Valeri Lach scored just eight.
A win at Don Valley for Manor in next weeks top of the table clash would all but seal the club a second division one title. The two sides are now separated by six points in the standings, with 12 left to ride for, the Vipers having failed to pick up any points in their latest meeting at Quantock, which they lost 46-44 despite an 18 point maximum from Valeri Lach. Meanwhile Denaby are back up to a season high third after inflicting Southampton’s first home league defeat on them in nearly 18 months, the Devils maiden success at Michigan Park secured with the aid of three heat wins from second string Marcin Kaminski (10+1).
Cradley Heath will race in the top flight next year after three years away, with their promotion confirmed from division two with five meetings to spare by a 50-40 home win over Hertford. Second placed Laceby—who are on a run of eight unbeaten in all competitions—need just two more points to be certain of going up, they won Sankey 40-50 this week. Altrincham (45 points) and Buxton (42)—who beat Tottenham 44-46 in their latest away fixture—look set to vie for the third promotion place. In division three Dumpton had their promotion confirmed after fourth placed California lost at Border.
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