Long Eaton have failed to progress beyond the second round of the KO Cup for a fourth year in succession following another defeat to their old foes Belfast. The record seventh tie between two of the sports ever-presents was the third in a row won by the Sinks, they extending their unbeaten run over the Rifles in the competition to five meetings with a draw at the Perksdome this week, a result which sent Paul Hunt’s side through by eight on aggregate. Long Eaton had by far the better of the opening exchanges, their riders winning four of the first five heats of the second leg as they racked up three 4-2’s and a 5-1 to wipe out their opening meeting deficit. Now favourites the wheels swiftly came off for the Rifles, tactical substitute Jan Tomanek (14) coming from the back to beat home number one Marek Wieczorek (13) to help clinch a visiting 4-2 in heat six, then maximum points for the Sinks in heat seven as Allan Robertson slipped from first to third, that before Ryan Vensor suffered the first of two non-finishes in heat eight. Belfast had regained a six point lead on aggregate, the hosts now firmly on the back foot. The next seven frustratingly for the Rifles all ended 3-3, resulting in a Belfast success with a race to spare and the continuation of the bid to extend their record number of victories in the competition to five. Next up for them in that bid to lift the trophy once again is a first ever competitive visit to Bournville, last years surprise semi-finalists taking their spot in the last eight of the competition for a third year in a row after completing a comprehensive 28 point aggregate victory of Stoke this week. Like the Badgers, their fellow second division side Wavedon also won home and away in the second round, they defeating Southend by 24 to reach the last eight for the first time in their 14 year history. New ground then for Malcolm Chambers side, who will face last years runners-up Houston in the quarter-finals. The Colts saw off the challenge of Mansfield with a heat to spare in round two, much much closer though for current holders Caversham, who needed a last heat 5-1 to defeat Shetland in the last 16, the maximum from unbeaten pair Garry Gould (15) and Ana Naumshek (14+1) sealing a nervy single point aggregate victory. Buxton were also taken to the final heat by third division newcomers Dudley, they coming through by two however at the Cheetahs thanks to a last heat second place finish from Sam Thomas (11). The Bees face Sedgley in the quarter finals, Caversham take on Totton.

Mansfield ended Shetland’s mini-revival with victory over the Ponies at The Knacker’s Yard. The top versus bottom encounter was close throughout, with the visiting division two leaders pulling away to score a 43-47 success late on thanks to heat 13 and 15 5-1’s. Reece Hooper (14+1) and Hans Willemssen (15+1)—who had each won their earlier tactical substitutes rides—were involved in both. Pete Watmough’s side have never been promoted to division one in their 16 year history, but are looking good to achieve that feat having reached the halfway stage of the season eight points clear of fourth placed Bournville. Bournville consolidated their own promotion challenge with a draw at Buxton.

Certainly a breakthrough season for 23 year old Reece Hooper (12). Leading the line at Mansfield after improving his GSA by nearly three points to a mark over ten, the recently capped England rider claimed his first WSO meeting win this week, taking top spot in his World Championship second round tie in Belfast. Alfreton’s Marcin Jaworski (13) won the second of this weeks meetings in Lublin.