Brilliant Bridger Inspires Hammers win

Lewis-Bridger_Lakeside-Hammers-speedway_AntiClockswise-PhotographyLewis Bridger was in brilliant form to inspire Elite League leaders Lakeside to a 53-37 win over play-off rivals Wolverhampton on Wednesday.

The result preserved the Vortex Hammers’ proud unbeaten home record and keeps them top of the table.

Bridger notched a staggering 17+1 from seven outings and with star man Andreas Jonsson carding 13+1 the home side were in fine form.

Said Bridger: “I know I will only be at reserve for a short space of time but I’m delighted with that performance. I really enjoyed it and I love this track, it’s great.

I know a lot has been made of rivalry within the team between me and Edward (Kennett) but we’ve raced against each other for years and in the same team too. We are both competitive riders and we have no problem with each other, he rode well and so did I.

I’ve beaten some top riders tonight and that pleases me, so when I go back into the main body of the team I feel confident I can keep it going.

The Vortex Hammers, watched by club owner Stuart Douglas and the big TV following on Sky Sports, pulled off a series of thrilling moves to thrill the audience.

Kennett and Bridger passed former Hammer Mikkel Bech in a spectacular Heat 5 to go 16-14 up. And Andreas Jonsson and Kim Nilssson passed Sam Masters two heats later to go 23-19 ahead.

It was the last five heats when Jon Cook’s men slammed home their superiority with a 21-9 scoreline swing to make the result look emphatic.

Lakeside go to Belle Vue on Saturday and their next home meeting is against Swindon on Friday, June 17.

Scores and heat results

Lakeside Hammers = 53

1. Andreas Jonsson – 2, 3, 2′, 3, 3 = 13+1
2. Edward Kennett – 1′, 3, 2′, 3 = 9+2
3. Richard Lawson – 1, 2, 1, 1 = 5
4. Lewis Kerr – 1, X, FX = 1
5. Kim Nilsson – 3, 2′, 0, 1 = 6+1
6. Lewis Bridger – 3, 2′, 3, 3, 3, 3, 0 = 17+1
7. Robert Mear – 0, 0, 2′ = 2+1

Wolverhampton Wolves = 37

1. Fredrik Lindgren – 3, 1, 3, 0, 1′ = 8+1
2. Mikkel Bech – 0, 1, 1′, 2′ = 4+2
3. Sam Masters – 0, 1, 1, 2 = 4
4. Jacob Thorssell – 2′, 0, 1, 0 = 3+1
5. Joonas Kylmakorpi – 2, 3, R, 2, 2 = 9
6. Kyle Howarth – 2, 0, 2, 0 = 4
7. Max Clegg – 1′, 3, 0, 1 = 5+1

Heat Results

Heat 01: Lindgren, Jonsson, Kennett, Bech. 3-3…58.40
Heat 02: Bridger, Howarth, Clegg, Mear. (3-3)…6-6…58.26
Heat 03: Nilsson, Kylmakorpi, Lawson, Masters. (4-2)…10-8…58.40
Heat 04: Clegg, Thorssell, Kerr, Mear. (1-5)…11-13…59.91
Heat 05: Kennett, Bridger, Bech, Howarth. (5-1)…16-14…58.79
Heat 06 (Re-Run): Kylmakorpi, Lawson, Lindgren, Kerr (Excluded). (2-4)…18-18…59.56
Heat 07: Jonsson, Nilsson, Masters, Thorssell. (5-1)…23-19…59.13
Heat 08: Bridger, Howarth, Bech, Kerr (Fell, Excluded). (3-3)…26-22…NO TIME
Heat 09: Bridger, Kennett, Thorssell, Clegg. (5-1)…31-23…59.57
Heat 10: Lindgren, Bech, Lawson, Nilsson. (1-5)…32-28…60.48
Heat 11: Kennett, Jonsson, Masters, Kylmakorpi (Retired). (5-1)…37-29…59.81
Heat 12: Bridger, Mear, Clegg, Howarth. (5-1)…42-30…59.40
Heat 13: Jonsson, Kylmakorpi, Nilsson, Lindgren. (4-2)…46-32…59.59
Heat 14: Bridger, Masters, Lawson, Thorssell. (4-2)…50-34…59.71
Heat 15: Jonsson, Kylmakorpi, Lindgren, Bridger. (3-3)…53-37…58.92

Updates courtesy of @speedwayupdates and @lakesidelive

Image: Lewis Bridger Credit Anticlockwise Photography.