Blow to Vortex Hammers play-off hopes

The Lakeside Vortex Hammers suffered a blow to their Play-off aspirations tonight, following a 53-40 defeat against King’s Lynn at the Norfolk Arena.

Early signs looked encouraging for The Hammers, who dominated the opening heats to establish a 10 point lead over their hosts by heat 5. The turning point however came in the next two heats, first with home guest Tai Woffinden and Lasse Bjerre securing an 8-1 tactical victory, immediately followed by a 5-1 heat advantage, which saw the Stars take command and then control of the meeting.

The result leaves the Hammers still in fourth place in the Elite League table, one point ahead of  the Poole Pirates, with the same number of meetings raced,  followed Peterborough Panthers occupying 6th spot on 38 points with a meeting in hand and the King’s Lynn Stars 7th on 36, with two fixtures remaining.

The Hammers still control their destiny to a degree but will need to secure points on the road in their final scheduled meeting of the season away at Swindon, and hope that the results of the chasing pack are in their favour.

On a postive note, it has been announced that injured Hammers number one Peter Karlsson has been released from hospital.  All at the Hammers wish him all the best for his continued recovery.

Image: Richard Lawson of Lakeside Hammers – Lakeside Hammers vs Poole Pirates – Sky Sports Elite League Speedway at Arena Essex Raceway, Purfleet – 23/08/13 – CREDIT: Ray Lawrence/TGSPHOTO

Scores and heat results:

Kings Lynn Stars = 53

1. Tai Woffinden (G) – 0, 6^, 3, 3, 3 = 15
2. Lasse Bjerre – 1, 2′, 3, 2′ = 8+2
3. Mads Korneliussen – 3, 1, 3, 3, 1 = 11
4. Richie Worrall – 2′, 0, 1, 3 = 6+1
5. Rory Schlein – 2, 2′, 3, 0 = 7+1
6. Nicklas Porsing – R, 3, 0, R, 2′ = 5+1
7. Lewis Kerr (G) – 1, 0, 0 = 1

Lakeside Hammers = 40

1. Chris Harris (G) – 3, 3, 2, 2, 2, 2 = 14
2. Davey Watt R/R (LB 2′, PS 2′, CH 2, CW 1′)
3. Piotr Swiderski – 1, 2′, 0, 0, 2, 0 = 5+1
4. Lewis Bridger – 2′, R, 1, 1, 1 = 5+1
5. Cameron Woodward (G) – 1, 1, 2, 1′, 1′ = 6+2
6. Tyson Nelson – 2′, 0, 0 = 2+1
7. Richard Lawson – 3, 3, 1′, 1′, 0 = 8+2

Heat Results

Heat 01: Harris, Bridger, Bjerre, Woffinden. 1-5
Heat 02: Lawson, Nelson, Kerr, Porsing (Retired). (1-5)…2-10
Heat 03: Korneliussen, Worrall, Swiderski, Bridger (Retired). (5-1)…7-11
Heat 04: Lawson, Schlein, Woodward, Kerr. (2-4)…9-15
Heat 05: Harris, Swiderski, Korneliussen, Worrall. (1-5)…10-20
Heat 06: WOFFINDEN (tactical) Bjerre, Woodward, Nelson. (8-1)…18-21
Heat 07: Porsing, Schlein, Bridger, Swiderski. (5-1)…23-22
Heat 08 (Re-Run): Bjerre, Harris, Lawson, Porsing. (3-3)…26-25
Heat 09 (Re-Run): Korneliussen, Woodward, Worrall, Nelson. (4-2)…30-27
Heat 10: Woffinden, Bjerre, Bridger, Swiderski. (5-1)…35-28
Heat 11: Schlein, Harris, Woodward, Kerr. (3-3)…38-31
Heat 12: Korneliussen, Swiderski, Lawson, Porsing (Retired). (3-3)…41-34.
Heat 13: Woffinden, Harris, Woodward, Schlein. (3-3)…44-37.
Heat 14: Worrall, Porsing, Bridger, Lawson. (5-1)…49-38.
Heat 15: Woffinden, Harris, Korneliussen, Swiderski. (4-2).