The Kent SLYDE KINGS went out of the Knockout Cup at the semi final stages for a second consecutive year after their heaviest defeat of the season at Central Park last night. The Kings went down to Birmingham 36 points to 54, 77-103 on aggregate.

For the homeside Luke Bowen only dropped one point, that to Ellis Perks in the first race but only scoring one bonus point all night (David Mason in Heat 3) compared to the visitors 9.

The visitors started in a dominant fashion with a 4-2 heat advantage in the first as guest Ellis Perks got the better of Luke Bowen and Danyon Hume held off Jack Thomas for the third placed point. The second heat was a 5-1 to the visitors reserve pairing of Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Jack Smith over Luke Clifton and Danno Verge. Smith having to come from behind to put the visitors six points ahead in the match, fourteen ahead overall.

After a shared Heat 3 won by Tom Bacon from Danny Ayres and David Mason, Heat 4 was another 4-2 heat advantage in favour of Birmingham.

Heat 5 saw Ellis Perks, Danyon Hume and Danny Ayres all locked together when Danny Ayres went for a gut busting blast around the outside only to fall and be excluded. The race then awarded as a 5-1 to the visitors putting them 12 up on the night and 20 overall.

In the next 10 races the Kings managed 7 heat winners, although heat advantages would be in short supply. As Birmingham managed to pack the minor places if they didn’t make the start.

Luke Bowen took the first Kent win in Heat 6 followed by the first heat advantage for the Kings in the next race. James Shanes made the start and was away well. Tom Bacon and Darryl Ritchings were holding off Danno Verge who was trying his best to get up into third managing to do so at one stage. As the riders went into the last bend Tom Bacon, caught the fence with his rear wheel and lifted and fell alarmingly. After a while down being treated he got back up and was given a warm round applause.

The heat advantage may have given brief hope of a revival but this was quickly cancelled out by a Birmingham heat advantage.

Heat 9 saw Another horrific looking crash for Birmingham reserve Jack Smith who lifted exiting turn 2 and hit the boards on the back straight. After a long time down he was taken from the track by ambulance.

The tie was wrapped up by Birmingham in Heat 11, at the first time of asking there was another nasty first bend crash as James Shanes lifted and came down bringing Danno Verge and visitor Danyon Hume with him. The referee put all 4 back and the rerun saw the visitors gain a 5-1 with Danyon Hume taking the win backed up by his partner Ellis Perks.

The next saw races saw three shared heats with Danny Ayres taking victory in Heat 12 with Luke Bowen winning Heats 13 and 15. Another visitors 5-1 in Heat 14 put the final gloss on the overall performance by Birmingham.

Birmingham now progress to the Final where they will face either Eastbourne or Cradley.