A draw at Bradford brought to an end a winning run of nine in the league for division one leaders Long Eaton. It’s a result however that promoter Martin Smith will gladly take, with his side trailing in the meeting by four heading into the final race, in which Adam Lucas (13) and Allan Robertson (10+1) came up with a point saving 5-1. With Belfast’s away fixture at Balham also ending all-square, the gap between the top two sides remains at three points as we head into the final third of the season. Early season leaders Hallamshire meanwhile are back up to third after they made it two wins in their last three away from home at Totton, the 44-46 victory means it’s now five points out of a possible eight for Matt Akers side at the venue, with the latest two secured by the unbeaten Marcin Jaworski’s (15) fifth win of the meeting. Totton responded by taking one of the two points on offer on their later trip to Chesterfield, second string Izak Zaloudek (9) racing to three wins for the visitors in the draw. In truth though another disappointing result for the Tigers considering the Coyotes had been on a losing league run of nine, with Totton themselves now without a top flight victory in their last eight.

Wavendon became the final one of the ten division two sides to win away from home in the league this season. A last heat 5-1 from Steven Enevoldsen (15) and second string Isakov Pavel (11+1) securing a productive trip to Wednesfield for the Witches, with the maximum taking Malcolm Chambers side to a 42-48 win. In division three Southend slipped from second to third after dropping their first home point of the campaign, with Alfreton climbing to seventh following the draw at Paul Davison’s Eagles. Having gone six up with a heat 13 Jeppe Hildebrandt winning 5-1 promoter Leigh Rose could have expected more though, however his side conceded a 5-1 in the next and then a 4-2 in the last, in which Hildebrandt was beaten for the first time on the night.

Holders Houston have put themselves in a strong position to reach the final of the Division One Cup for the fifth time in seven years. A first leg 44-46 victory at Chesterfield makes them clear favourites to progress from their last four tie next week, teenager Leon Henrichsen (11+1)—who signed for the Colts for £127,000 just over a year ago—impressing with two wins in the success.

Harry Buckley (15) followed up his semi-final victory with success in the BU21 final this week in Chesterfield. The 20 year old is currently on loan at Alfreton from Swinton and—along with the rest of the top seven finisher’s—now qualifies to race in the WU21 Championship.

Stoke world number three Samuel Hill (13) rattled off three straight wins to land the Finnish GP crown in Pori. It’s the second career win in the series for the 31 year old, who won the European round on his debut last year. The Australian takes over from Marcin Jaworski as series leader, with Hill ending the week ahead of England International Harry Nicholls (11)—who finished as runner-up for the second Grand Prix in succession—at the head of the standings on count-back. The two are locked on 22 points, one better off than Jaworski, who drops to third.