CS ELITE LEAGUE ROUND UP: Hammers win, Aces lose, one of three could still win the title
Reigning Elite League champions, Wednesfield Aces’ title hopes were dealt a significant blow this weekend, after losing out to bottom of the table Poole at Harbourside Park.
The home side secured their second win of the season, after initially falling behind to the champions.
Youngsters, Jay Briggs and Wil Bristowe, turned the tide against strong opposition to pull the scores back, before Poole edged in front and were able to stay in control for the remainder of the match.
Poole’s polish contingent of skipper Greg Gluchowski, Matiej Ganczarek and Dawid Bas lead the scoresheet for the home side, who secured their second deserved win of the campaign.
Up in Oxfordshire, Horspath comprehensively beat Coventry to go top of the table by two clear points, ahead of the final round 10 in two weeks time.
After a relatively equal start from both teams, Horspath extended their slender lead to a significant 12 points by the half way stage. Coventry battled hard but could not match the fire power of the home side, far too often losing out by the first bend, before succumbing 112-87 and winding up their Elite League campaign.
Mark Carmichael, Lukasz Nowacki and new Polish champion, Szymon Kowalcyzk were all in scintillating form for the Hammers.
| P | W | D | L | PD | TOTAL | |
| Horspath | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 102 | 10 |
| Wednesfield | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 8 |
| Ipswich | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Coventry | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | -64 | 6 |
| Poole | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | – 73 | 4 |
The weekend’s events mean one of three teams are all still in with a shot of the title.
Horspath are firmly in the driving seat and will come away with a play-off – minimum. They have a tricky match away at Wednesfield in round 10, where they can take what could be the last Elite League title home with them, if they win or draw.
If Wednesfield score a home victory, which is an entirely likely scenario, it will mean a play off at a neutral venue in the following weeks.
However, if Wednesfield do win and Ipswich beat Poole at home, they too will be included in the play off, with all three teams finishing on 10 points.
Expect fireworks around the Ashmore Park area of Wolverhampton on 9th October!
Cover photo by Paul Devine.