LAKESIDE Hammers boss John Cook has blasted the Elite League after his team went down to a close 47-45 defeat to Kings Lynn Stars on Monday.

Promoter John Cook blames the league’s ‘tactical ride’ rule that cost the club a win. The tactical ride rule allows teams to nominate a rider, for double points if they are seriously in arrears after heat four.

He said: “The Elite League has made a massive step forward this year with the exciting format and Fast Track system and we should have the courage to drop this (tactical) rule, which is hated by this majority of fans and lacks any credibility in sport. It’s a pantomime rule fit only for 1970s game shows.”

But Cook also had some harsh words for his team. He said: “We weren’t good enough. We dropped points and not looking for partners cost us a win. Neil Vatcher and I are going to be making changes ahead of Saturday in the riding order and will look at changing the team itself if that doesn’t work.”

The defeat came in a last heat decider. Led by a 21 point maximum from World number three Neils Kristian Iversen, the Norfolk based team used the tactical ride to claw their way back into a meeting which at heat number nine looked to be heading in the Purfleet team’s favour.

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