Hammers stun the Pirates
The Lakeside Vortex Hammers condemned Elite League Champions Poole to their first defeat of the season so far with a dramatic 50-40 victory at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
Just 48 hours after suffering a 57-33 loss at Wimborne Road, the Vortex Hammers gained revenge with a tremendous performance.
Faced with their toughest test of the season so far on home shale, the Purfleet outfit passed with flying colours with another determined display.
They demonstrated character and spirit in abundance to come from six points down to earn a memorable win and leave the powerhouse Pirates travelling back to Dorset empty handed.
The result moves Lakeside seven points clear at the top of the Elite League table – and jubilant promoter Jon Cook believes they have what it takes to launch a title challenge as the season progresses.
“We are totally delighted with the win, and it takes a proper speedway team to be able to lower Poole’s colours,” Cook said.
“I know a lot of people have said that this is a one-team league, but I’d say after tonight it’s a two-team league.
“It’s early days, but we’ve done six meetings and we have to be very pleased with where we are at and the way things are going at the moment.”
Grand Prix star Andreas Jonsson once again led from the front with a masterful display, only being denied a paid maximum by Hans Andersen in the final race.
He received outstanding support from popular Pole Piotr Swiderski, who also bagged double figures to earn a well-deserved heat 15 appearance.
Lewis Bridger enjoyed his best night of the season so far, ending his evening with two wins including a breathtaking ride in heat 14 to wrap up victory alongside Richard Lawson. Lawson similarly came on strong as the meeting went on, whilst Kim Nilsson and reserve Lewis Kerr bagged a race win apiece as they added vital contributions.
No.6 Robert Mear endured another tough night but was in the thick of the action against Poole’s star reserve pairing, who were powerless to prevent their side suffering defeat.
After storming to their finest victory of the season so far, the high-flying Hammers will travel to Wolverhampton on Monday, April 18 (7.30) before hosting Swindon in their next home meeting on Friday, April 22 (8pm).
Lakeside Hammers = 50
1. Andreas Jonsson – 2*,3,3,3,2 = 13+1
2. Piotr Swiderski – 3,3,2,2*,1* = 11+2
3. Lewis Bridger – 1,0,3,3 = 7
4. Richard Lawson – 1,1,3,2* = 7+1
5. Kim Nilsson – 3,1,1,1 = 6
6. Robert Mear – 1,0,(LK-1*),0 = 1
7. Lewis Kerr – F,0,1,1*,3 = 5+1
Poole Pirates = 40
1. Chris Holder – 1,2*,0,0 = 3+1
2. Brady Kurtz – 0,1*,0,(AE-2) = 1+1
3. Davey Watt – 2,0,R,(AE-0) = 2
4. Hans Andersen – 2*,2,3,1,3 = 11+1
5. Krzysztof Buczkowski – 0,3,1,2,0 = 6
6. Adam Ellis – 3,2,2,2,2,0 = 11
7. Kyle Newman – 2*,3,0,1* = 6+2
Poole win the toss and choose gates 1&3 in Heat 1.
Heat Results
Heat 01: Swiderski,Jonsson,Holder,Kurtz…59.0 5-1
Heat 02: Ellis,Newman,Mear,Kerr(Fell)…60.3 (1-5) 6-6
Heat 03: Nilsson,Watt,Bridger,Buczkowski…59.4 (4-2) 10-8
Heat 04: Newman,Andersen,Lawson,Kerr…61.0 (1-5) 11-13
Heat 05: Swiderski,Ellis,Kurtz,Mear…59.6 (3-3) 14-16
Heat 06: Buczkowski,Holder,Lawson,Bridger…60.1 (1-5) 15-21
Heat 07: Jonsson,Andersen,Nilsson,Watt…60.2 (4-2) 19-23
Heat 08: Lawson,Ellis,Kerr,Kurtz…60.2 (4-2) 23-25
Heat 09: Andersen,Swiderski,Kerr,Newman…60.1 (3-3) 26-28
Heat 10: Bridger,Ellis,Nilsson,Holder…60.0 (4-2) 30-30
Heat 11: Jonsson,Swiderski,Buczkowski,Watt(Retired)…59.5 (5-1)
Heat 12:Kerr,Ellis,Newman,Mear…60.4 (3-3) 38-34
Heat 13: Jonsson,Buczkowski,Nilsson,Holder…58.6 (4-2) 42-36
Heat 14: Bridger,Lawson,Andersen,Ellis…59.8 (5-1) 47-37
Heat 15: Andersen,Jonsson,Swiderski,Buczkowski…59.6 (3-3) 50-40
Updates courtesy of @lakesidelive and @speedwayupdates