Reading through to KoC semi.

Danny Bird played a captain's role for the Reading Racers as he helped his team overcome Isle of Wight on Monday night at Smallmead Stadium, to move into the semi-finals of the KO Cup. It was a fantastic night for the Ideal Video Racers, but it was sadly marred by a frightening accident in heat 14.

On the final lap with Reading on the wrong end of a 5-1, Richard Wolff lost control and clipped the fence on the back straight, and then careered across the track and run into team-mate Chris Johnson, with Johnson taking a heavy
tumble. To add to that one of the bikes then collided with a member of the Smallmead track staff (Eric Colvin), who unfortunately stood no chance of getting out of the way on the centre green.

Johnson suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crash after somersaulting down the track and Eric was taken to hospital for a full examination after reportedly getting knocked unconscious in the aftermath of the crash. However with two ambulances attending to the injured, the meeting was abandoned at this point - but the result will stand.

Thankfully after further examination Eric was later released from hospital, and was back at the stadium before the night was out.

Up until this point it was a great night of action for the Smallmead faithful, with Bird, in his first meeting back from his broken leg, leading the way with an excellent 11 (paid 12) maximum. It was an incredible feat considering he hadn't raced for four months, which earned him the rider of the night award from meeting sponsors Harpers Fitness.

It was a good all round night for the Racers, with Zagar going through the card with a 12 point maximum, and Andrew Appleton also had a good night with 11 from four rides.

For the Islanders, new Polish signing Krzystof Stojanowski top scored with 7, but with a lack of heat winners Craig Boyce was next best with 5 (paid 6).

Reading got off to a flyer, with Bird and Zdenek Simota taking a 5-1 off Craig Boyce in the opening heat, and the Racers kept things going with a 4-2 in heat 2. Appleton and Wolff then beat March and Ostergaard in heat 3 to
put the home side 14-4 in front.

Zagar and Mathieu Tresarrieu got a 4-2 in heat 4, and then further 4-2's in heats 5 and 6 put Reading into a commanding 26-10 lead. Appleton looked particularly impressive with his win in heat 5, pulling off a brilliant
outside pass of Boyce on the second bend of the final lap.

Zagar won heat 7 for a shared heat, and then Simota won heat 8 ahead of Glen Phillips and Steen Jensen for another drawn heat. This made the scores 32-16 at the half way stage of the meeting.

The Islanders new signing of Stojanowski looked impressive winning heat 9 ahead of Appleton and Wolff, and Bird also looked as if he'd never been away, with his third victory of the night when taking the chequered flag in heat 10 another drawn race.

It was honours even once again with Zagar winning heat 11 ahead of Phillips and Boyce in heat 11, but Racers increased their advantage when Appleton and Tresarrieu clinched the tie on aggregate for the Ideal Video Racers, with a 4-2 in heat 12.

In heat 13 it was just like the good times of last season, when the dynamic duo of Zagar and Bird cruised to a 5-1 over Boyce and Stojanowski, putting Reading 50-28 in front going into heat 14.

In what turned out to the final race of the night Jensen and Ostergaard jumped out of the start for a 5-1, but missed all the drama behind them between Wolff and Johnson, which eventually saw the night end prematurely.

Reading's 51-33 win on the night, sees them win the tie 95-79 on aggregate, and the Racers will face Rye House in the semi-final over two legs.

The Racers return to Premier League action next Monday when the Hull Vikings come to Smallmead Stadium (7.30pm).