The 1948 National League Division Two was the third post-war season of the second tier of motorcycle speedway in Great Britain. Edinburgh Monarchs were new participants as the league was extended to 9 teams.
Summary Wigan Warriors were replaced by Fleetwood Flyers after just 3 away matches with their entire team transferring. A quickfire 19 days effort resulted in the concrete wall surrounding the Highbury Stadium pitch being demolished and a 30 feet wide track being constructed.
Bristol Bulldogs were crowned champions.
32-year-old Bill Wilson of the Middlesbrough Bears was fatally injured, on 3 July at Norwich and died two days later in hospital.
Final table Pos Team PL W D L Pts1 Bristol Bulldogs 32 23 0 9 462 Birmingham Brummies 32 20 1 11 413 Middlesbrough Bears 32 18 2 12 384 Sheffield Tigers 32 17 1 14 355 Norwich Stars 32 17 0 15 346 Glasgow White City Tigers 32 14 3 15 317 Newcastle Diamonds 32 11 0 21 228 Fleetwood Flyers 32 10 1 21 219 Edinburgh Monarchs 32 10 0 22 20
Wigan Warriors were replaced by Fleetwood Flyers after 3 away matches
Fixtures & results A fixtures
B fixtures
Anniversary Cup (Div 2) The Anniversary Cup for Division Two was run in a league format. Birmingham Brummies came out on top.
Final table Pos Team PL W D L Pts1 Birmingham Brummies 16 12 0 4 242 Sheffield Tigers 16 9 0 7 163 Bristol Bulldogs 16 8 0 8 164 Glasgow White City Tigers 16 8 0 8 165 Middlesbrough Bears 16 8 0 8 166 Norwich Stars 16 7 1 8 157 Fleetwood Flyers 16 7 1 8 158 Newcastle Diamonds 16 6 0 10 129 Edinburgh Monarchs 16 6 0 10 12
Top five riders (league only) Rider Nat Team C.M.A. 1 Fred Tuck Bristol 10.20 2 Frank Hodgson Middlesbrough 9.84 3 Graham Warren Birmingham 9.84 4 Wilf Plant Middlesbrough/Fleetwood 9.24 5 Jack Hunt Newcastle 9.22
National Trophy The 1948 Trophy (sponsored by the Daily Mail) was the 11th edition of the Knockout Cup. The Qualifying event for Division 3 teams saw Southampton Saints win the final and qualify for the Elimination event. The Elimination event for Division 2 teams saw Birmingham Brummies win the final and qualify for the Quarter Finals proper.
Elimination Event First Round Date Team One Score Team Two19/06 Birmingham 79-29 Southampton15/06 Southampton 41-66 Birmingham16/06 Glasgow White City 70-38 Edinburgh19/06 Edinburgh 62-46 Glasgow White City Elimination Second Round Date Team One Score Team Two17/06 Sheffield 55-53 Norwich19/06 Norwich 76-32 Sheffield03/07 Birmingham 80-28 Glasgow White City23/06 Glasgow White City 45.5-61.5 Birmingham18/06 Bristol 65-43 Fleetwood22/06 Fleetwood 69-39 Bristol14/06 Newcastle 41-65 Middlesbrough17/06 Middlesbrough 67-40 Newcastle Elimination Third Round Date Team One Score Team Two26/07 Birmingham 75-33 Fleetwood13/07 Fleetwood 49-59 Birmingham03/07 Norwich 66-41 Middlesbrough01/07Middlesbrough 53-54 Norwich Elimination Final First leg
Second leg
Riders and final averages
Birmingham
9.84 8.57 8.26 7.91 7.53 6.79 6.55 5.94 5.46 5.39
Bristol
10.20 8.95 8.60 8.45 7.94 7.83 7.40 5.38 4.37 3.25 1.67
Edinburgh
7.15 6.68 6.00 6.00 5.50 5.32 4.96 4.74 3.75 3.30 2.55
Fleetwood
9.47 9.03 7.46 6.06 5.68 5.18 4.70 4.54 4.14 2.40 1.60
Glasgow
8.13 7.80 7.59 7.20 6.21 5.98 5.57 5.00 4.87 3.83 1.50
Middlesbrough
9.84 8.88 8.77 7.77 6.91 6.23 6.22 5.94 5.45 4.53 4.00 3.75 3.56
Newcastle
9.22 8.72 8.17 7.41 6.80 6.66 4.80 4.14 3.82 3.52 3.41 3.17 3.09
Norwich
8.61 (Horace Burke) 8.47 8.10 6.79 6.63 6.50 6.35 6.04 5.49 4.91 4.00
Sheffield
9.09 8.33 7.31 7.16 6.94 6.77 4.71 4.55 4.21 2.60 Henry Long 3.50 1.56
See also List of United Kingdom Speedway League Champions Knockout Cup (speedway)
References