Lakeside Hammers opened their home campaign with a 50-40 win against Peterborough in the Championship Shield.

There was no room for error for the Hammers after the Panthers shocked Ipswich 24 hours earlier and the result means matters remain in their own hands, albeit it is likely that they will need to avoid defeat at Ipswich on April 21 if they are to finish top.

Nick Morris finished with a 14-point haul from five rides, with the Hammers’ top five recording just one last place all evening.

Richard Lawson, Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman and Zach Watjkencht all enjoyed heat successes at the Arena-Essex Raceway.

Hammers boss Will Pottinger said: “It was a hard-earned victory and Peterborough put up a very strong fight.

“We managed to slowly pull away during the second half of the meeting, which showed good character from the riders.”

>Wajtknecht pulled off a brilliant British Under-21 semi-final win in Eastbourne.

Wajtknecht romped to a 14-point haul to earn victory on the head-to-head.

Jason Edwards, who made his speedway debut for the Hammers in the National League last season, also joins Wajtknecht in the final.

>Hammers return to the Arena-Essex Raceway on Friday (April 13).