#RAWLAN
Rawicz were the hosts as this weekend’s first eWINNER 2 match got underway. They were up against a full strength Landshut that had the injured Kai Huckenbeck (pictured) back as well as new signing, Frenchman, Dimitri Berge and German veteran, Martin Smolinski (6) all in their line up.
The German team seem to have the advantage taking the lead in the first heat and again in Heat 5 as Dimitri (10) and Martin Härtel (6+1) took a 2:4.
They held that lead all the way to Heat 11 when Rawicz took their first 5:1 through Szymon Szlauderbach (7+1) and Keynan Rew. It was the Australian’s best performance so far this season as he put up 8+1 but compatriot Matthew Gilmore struggled again with 0.
The home team started Heat 12 in the lead by just 3 points, 34:31, leading to a nail biting finish as the following two heats were 3:3s.
Down but not out, Landshut continued to fight to pull back the deficit and pave the way an unexpected victory. However, their hopes were dashed as the Polish team struck the deadly blow in Heat 14 with a 5:1 to make it 45:38, Szlauderbach again involved as he took the checkered flag in second place.
Huckenbeck (13+1) top scored for the visitors hopefully meaning is has recovered from his concussion. But even his appearance in Heat 15 was not enough to prevent Rawicz taking home a hard fought 48:41 win.
#OPODAU
When Daugavpils' Swedish rider, Tomas H Jonasson (14) beat host, Opole's Swedish rider, Jacob Thorssell (10+1) it put the guests back to within five points of the leaders, 26:21.
But the Latvian team would never get closer than that and the match was finished off when the Polish squad won two 5:1s in Heats 13 and 14. In the first of those Thorssell got revenge by beating Jonasson as well as Danish veteran, Hans Andersen (5+1) who also represents Lokamotiv this season. Then in the penultimate heat young Danish rider, Mads Hansen (10) won to set up a final score of 51:38 to Opole.
Although the league is still in early days and Wittestock are yet to race at all in the second division, Opole now take the lead on points difference over Rawicz after three rounds. Swede, Thorssell is also the joint highest scorer in the league with a 2.400 average.
#POZRZE
Poznan's match was not televised again as it clashed with the Ekstraliga match between Zielona Gora and Wroclaw. But that did not seem to have any negative on the home team as they hosted Rzeszow tonight.
They bounced back from 1:5 reserve heat defeat to take five 5:1 heat advantages before the nomination heats were called. Danish rider, Jonas Siefelt-Salk (10+4) was involved in three of them and finished just one point off a paid maximum. As did his German teammate, Kevin Wolbert (14). and Matias Nielsen (7+2) make an impact as they ran away with the match, 56:34.
For the losers Dane, Tim Sörensen (3) and Britian's Adam Ellis (6) failed to make a significant impact but the team can will take solace in that reserve Matteusz Majcher top scored with a 9 pts maximum and with just two matches played that it is still early days in the season.
