Tough night at the NSS

Zach Wajtknecht of Lakeside Hammers Photographer Rob Newell/CameraSport National League Speedway - Lakeside Hammers v Eastbourne Eagles - Lee Richardson Memorial Trophy, First Leg - Friday 14th April 2017 - The Arena Essex Raceway - Thurrock, Essex © CameraSport - 43 Linden Ave. Countesthorpe. Leicester. England. LE8 5PG - Tel: +44 (0) 116 277 4147 - admin@camerasport.com - www.camerasport.com

Lakeside boss Kelvin Tatum admitted they were simply beaten by a better team after going down 60-30 against the Belle Vue Colts on Wednesday.

An impressive display from Zach Wajtknecht was not enough to prevent the Vortex Hammers from suffering a heavy defeat at the National Speedway Stadium.

The visitors managed just four race wins and ran 14 last places against the table-topping Colts.

Ben Morley and George Hunter delivered a race win apiece whilst Alfie Bowtell was in the thick of the action throughout.

But reserve duo Nick Laurence and Jamie Couzins struggled to make an impact against the powerhouse Colts.

Said Tatum: “It was always going to be a tough meeting, and so it proved unfortunately.

“They’re a strong side who are all dialled in around there, and they just had too much for us in the end.

They were a better team, although we never threw in the towel and we kept battling until the end which was encouraging.”

BELLE VUE 60:

Dan Bewley 14, Kyle Bickley 11+2, Lee Payne 10, Rob Shuttleworth 8, Jack Smith 7+3, Luke Woodhull 5+2, Andy Mellish 5+1.

LAKESIDE 30:

Zach Wajtknecht 14, George Hunter 6, Alfie Bowtell 5, Ben Morley 4, Jamie Couzins 1, Nick Laurence 0, David Mason R/R.

Image:  Zach Wajtknecht – Credit Rob Newell