Hammers see off The Lions
The Lakeside Hammers made it two wins out of two on home shale with a comprehensive 56-34 victory over Leicester at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
The Vortex Hammers recovered from a shaky start to emerge with another convincing triumph after disposing of King’s Lynn by a similar score line a week earlier.
It was once again a powerful performance from the Essex outfit as they accounted for 11 race winners to ensure they came on strong after leading by only two points after six races.
Team coach Kelvin Tatum admitted he was disappointed by their slow start – but he was delighted to see his side respond in perfect fashion to claim three more Elite League points.
Tatum said: “It wasn’t quite as straightforward as we would have liked, and we got off to a scrappy start with only a couple of points in it after heat six. We managed to get ourselves organised eventually, and we finished strongly which was very pleasing.
The final score line was what we were looking for, so we got there in the end and overall it was a solid performance even though it took us a while to get going.”
Grand Prix star Andreas Jonsson led by example with a classy paid maximum, including a stunning back straight pass in heat 13, and an exquisite cut back in the nominated heat 15, whilst fellow heat-leaders Kim Nilsson and Lewis Bridger offered excellent support as they suffered just one defeat apiece.
With Piotr Swiderski and Richard Lawson both adding double figures at second string, the Vortex Hammers were led by an in-form top five which overpowered their opponents.
Although Leicester won the battle at reserve through ex-Hammer Adam Ellis and Paul Starke, the home side simply had too much firepower as they continued their encouraging start to the campaign.
They will now look to complete a quick-fire double over the Lions as they travel to Beaumont Park for the return fixture on Saturday (7.30).
Lakeside Hammers = 56
1. Andreas Jonsson (c) – 3,2′,3,3,3 = 14+1
2. Piotr Swiderski – 2′,2,3,2′,1 = 10+2
3. Lewis Bridger – 2′,f,3,2′ = 7+2
4. Richard Lawson – 3,2,2,3 = 10
5. Kim Nilsson – 3,3,2′,1, = 9+1
6. Rob Mear – 1,0,0,0 = 1
7. Lewis Kerr – 0,1,3,1 = 5
Leicester Lions = 34
1. Patrick Hougaard – 1,3,1^,2,2 = 9^
2. Nicolai Klindt (c)- 0,1,tex,0 = 1
3. Grzegorz Walasek – r,r,r = 0
4. Szymon Wozniak – 0,1,1 = 2
5. Sebastian Ulamek – 1,1,1,0 = 3
6. Adam Ellis (G) – 3,3,1,2,2′,0 = 11+1
7. Paul Starke – 2′,2,0,1′,3,0 = 8+2
Hammers win toss and the home side take 2&4 in heat 1
Heat Results
Heat 01: 58.7 Jonsson,Swiderski,Hougaard,Klindt 5-1
Heat 02: 59.4 Ellis Starke Mear Kerr 1-5 (6-6)
Heat 03: 59.3 Nilsson Bridger Ulamerk 5-1 (11-7)
Heat 04: 60.3 Lawson Starke Kerr Wozniak 4-2 (15-9)
Heat 05: 60.2 Ellis Swiderski Klindt Mear 2-4 (17-13)
Heat 06: awarded Hougaard Lawson Ulamek 2-4 (19-17)
Heat 07: 59.8 Nilsson Jonsson Wozniak 5-1 (24-18)
Heat 08: 60.2 Kerr Lawson Ellis Starke 5-1 (29-19)
Heat 09: 59.9 Swiderski Ellis Starke Mear 3-3 (32-22)
Heat 10: 59.9 Bridger Nilsson HOUGAARD, Klindt 5-1 (37-23)
Heat 11: 59.1 Jonsson Swiderski Ulamek 5-1 (42-24)
Heat 12: 60.6 Starke Ellis Kerr Mear 1-5 (43-29)
Heat 13: 58.9 Jonsson Hougaard Nilsson Ulamek 4-2 (47-31)
Heat 14: 60.2 Lawson Bridger Wozniak Starke 5-1 (52-32)
Heat 15: 59.0 Jonsson Hougaard Swiderski Ellis 4-2 (56-34)
Updates courtesy of @lakesidelive and @speedwayupdates
Image: Andreas Jonsson Credit: Rob Newell / TGS photo