Lakeside Hammers boss Stuart Douglas saluted his team after they recorded a 47-42 win over Wolverhampton in an exciting match at Arena Essex Raceway on Friday.

And the Hammers’ co-promoted was also fullsome in his praise for the defeated visitors, who put up a great fight.

Douglas said: “Two very good sides slugged it out, and there were some fantastic displays of riding right up and down each team.

“It’s not good for my nerves, but this is the kind of speedway I want to see every week.”

Douglas believes Wolves arrived in Essex still smarting from a heavy defeat on Thursday at Ipswich, but the Lakeside riders picked up on that and responded in style.

Jonas Davidsson led the way for the Hammers with 12 points and one bonus, but the Wolves saw Frederik Lindgren take the points honours on the night with 14. Lakeside’s Kauko Nieminen was the only home rider to beat the Swede in his five rides, but it mattered little as the hosts were never headed in the 15 heats.

They started well with two 5-1s before two shared heats took the score to 16-8. Hammers then suffered 2-4, 2-3, 2-4 reverses before a third shared heat left the match 25-22 in Lakeside’s favour.

Heat nine saw the Hammers record a 4-2 win followed by another brace of shared heats before they got another 4-2 to bring it to 39-32.

Hammers are at home again on Friday for another Elite League meeting when Eastbourne Eagles will be the visitors, with the first race at 8pm.

Lakeside are currently fifth in the Elite League table.

Lakeside Hammers: 1 Adam Shields 5, 2 Jonas Davidsson 12+1, 3 Lee Richardson 9, 4 Rider Replacement, 5 Kauko Nieminen 11+1, 6 Phil Morris 2+1, 7 Stuart Robson 8+3.

Wolverhampton Wolves: 1 Peter Karlsson 9+1, 2 Nicolai Klindt 1, 3. Tai Woffinden 7, 4 Adam Skornicki 7+2, 5 Fredrik Lindgren 14, 6 Hynek Stichauer 0, 7 Joe Haines 4.