Vortex Hammers do the business

Edward Kennett_Lakeside Vortex Hammers_Credit Anticlockwise PhotographyLakeside capped off an excellent two days with a vital 60-32 win over King’s Lynn at the Arena-Essex Raceway.

Just 24 hours after keeping their Elite League play-off hopes alive with a consolation point at the Adrian Flux Arena, the Vortex Hammers avoided any slip-ups with a comprehensive home win.

It was a dominant performance from the Purfleet outfit to comfortably claim three points and keep their top four bid on track.

They will now watch on anxiously as Swindon head to Belle Vue on Wednesday, September 14. If the Robins leave Manchester empty handed it will set up a mouth-watering showdown at Purfleet on Friday, September 16 which could see the Hammers snatch fourth spot.

Lakeside coach Kelvin Tatum was pleased to see his side put in a professional performance in their penultimate fixture to keep the pressure piled on Swindon.

Said Tatum: “King’s Lynn were depleted, and they were second best this evening but we had a job to do and we went about it very professionally.

It was a good performance, and we’ve managed to put the pressure back on Swindon over the last two days.

It’s all looking very tight and Swindon still have a chance to get a point at Belle Vue. We just have to hope that the Aces win by seven points or more and we’ll be all set up for a showdown with Swindon here at Lakeside in a fortnight’s time.”

Edward Kennett roared to a faultless, four-ride paid maximum for the hosts whilst Andreas Jonsson, Lewis Bridger, Lewis Kerr and Ben Morley also suffered just one defeat apiece.

Reserve Morley enjoyed a superb return to the side, striking four paid wins in his opening four rides before missing out on a paid maximum with a fall in heat 15.

Swedish star Kim Nilsson also notched double figures whilst Richard Lawson put in a solid showing as the hosts recorded 11 race wins and ran just two last places.

VORTEX LAKESIDE HAMMERS 60:

Edward Kennett 11+1, Kim Nilsson 11, Lewis Kerr 10, Ben Morley 8+4, Lewis Bridger 8+1, Andreas Jonsson 7+2, Richard Lawson 5+2.

KING’S LYNN STARS 32:

Niels-Kristian Iversen 12+2, Troy Batchelor 10, Michael Palm Toft 3, Kai Huckenbeck 3, Carl Wilkinson 3, Rob Branford 1, Robert Lambert r/r.

Elite League points: Lakeside 3 King’s Lynn 0

Thanks to @Lakesidelive for updates

Image: Edward Kennett. Credit: Anti-clockwise Photography