Hammers keep it in the club, for Semi Final 2nd leg

The Lakeside Hammers will be fielding a team of their own riders for the second leg of the Play Off semi final at Poole tomorrow night (Monday 1st October)

With 2012 Hammers rider of the year Peter Karlsson now elevated to Number 1 in the averages, a guest for either absentees Davey Watt or Jonas Davidsson would have been available. Instead the Essex club will use both club assets and double up riders Kauko Nieminen and Stuart Robson, just as they did when they visited Poole in May, an occasion when they lost by two points,  just three days after Lee Richardson’s death.

Explaining the decision, Hammer Co-Promoter Jon Cook commented “All things considered, we felt this was the best way to go. After the season we have had there is a tremendous togetherness at the club and the riders deserve the chance to have this one last go at Poole as a team, rather than with a hired hand in who has not shared those emotions over the last few months.

I don’t doubt for one minute that our guests have given of their best, but it’s not the same as using those that have been with us on this journey, and for Robbo in particular it’s an important night as he was gutted to miss Lee’s meeting with a late change to Newcastle’s fixtures. If the two full seasons double up limit stays in place this could also be his last meeting as a Hammer.”

The Hammers will also give new signing, 16 year old Adam Ellis, more experience of life around the Elite League pits by naming him as Number 8 for Mondays meeting, which starts at 7.30pm.

2012 Rider of the Year Peter Karlsson receives his award (credit Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)

New Hammers signing Adam Ellis (credit Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)

Main Image: Heat 3: Peter Karlsson (red) and Stuart Robson – Lakeside Hammers vs Coventry Bees –  CREDIT: Gavin Ellis/TGSPHOTO