1952 Speedway Southern League
The 1952 Southern League was the first season of the newly created regional third tier of speedway racing in the United Kingdom for Southern British teams. From the defunct National League Division Three of the previous season, only Poole Pirates didn't join the new league. Ipswich Witches and Southampton Saints were new entrants.[1]
League | Southern League |
---|---|
Season | 1952 |
Champions | Rayleigh Rockets |
No. of competitors | 10 |
Division/s above | National League Div 1 National League Div 2 |
Rayleigh Rockets were champions whilst Long Eaton Archers withdrew mid-season. [2]
Final table
Team | PL | W | D | L | Pts |
Rayleigh Rockets | 36 | 28 | 0 | 8 | 56 |
Cardiff Dragons | 36 | 23 | 0 | 13 | 46 |
Plymouth Devils | 36 | 20 | 1 | 15 | 41 |
Wolverhampton Wasps | 36 | 20 | 1 | 15 | 41 |
Exeter Falcons | 36 | 20 | 1 | 15 | 41 |
Swindon Robins | 36 | 18 | 0 | 18 | 36 |
Aldershot Shots | 36 | 15 | 1 | 20 | 31 |
Ipswich Witches | 36 | 12 | 0 | 24 | 24 |
Southampton Saints | 36 | 11 | 0 | 25 | 22 |
St Austell Gulls | 36 | 11 | 0 | 25 | 22 |
Withdrawal (Record expunged) : Long Eaton Archers
National Trophy Stage Three
The 1952 National Trophy was the 15th edition of the Knockout Cup. The Trophy consisted of three stages; stage one was for the third tier clubs, stage two was for the second tier clubs and stage three was for the top tier clubs. The winner of stage one would qualify for stage two and the winner of stage two would qualify for the third and final stage. Plymouth won stage one and therefore qualified for stage two.[4]
Third Division Qualifying First Round
Date | Team One | Score | Team Two |
---|---|---|---|
22/04 | Southampton | 49-58 | Cardiff |
18/04 | Wolverhampton | 74-33 | Long Eaton |
17/04 | Cardiff | 75-33 | Southampton |
17/04 | Long Eaton | 58-50 | Wolverhampton |
Third Division Qualifying Second Round
Date | Team One | Score | Team Two |
---|---|---|---|
26/04 | Swindon | 52-56 | Cardiff |
25/04 | Wolverhampton | 49-59 | Exeter |
24/04 | Cardiff | 74-32 | Swindon |
24/04 | Ipswich | 50-57 | Rayleigh |
21/04 | Exeter | 73-34 | Wolverhampton |
19/04 | Rayleigh | 60-48 | Ipswich |
19/04 | Aldershot | 48-60 | Plymouth |
17/04 | Plymouth | 76-31 | Aldershot |
Third Division Qualifying Semi Finals
Date | Team One | Score | Team Two |
---|---|---|---|
08/05 | Cardiff | 59-48 | Rayleigh |
03/05 | Rayleigh | 70-38 | Cardiff |
01/05 | Plymouth | 67-41 | Exeter |
28/04 | Exeter | 57-51 | Plymouth |
Third Division Qualifying Final
Date | Team One | Score | Team Two |
---|---|---|---|
17/05 | Rayleigh | 67-41 | Plymouth |
15/05 | Plymouth | 69-38 | Rayleigh |
- For Stage Two - see Stage Two
- For Stage Three - see Stage Three