Lakeside Hammers 59, Belle Vue 34
HAMMERS overcame the challenge of a Jason Crump inspired Belle Vue to register another home victory on their way to the Elite League play-off semi finals.

Only Crump stood between the Hammers and a complete whitewash in this Elite League B fixture, racking up an exceptional 18-point maximum which was more than half his team's score.

The Hammers had a distinctly Eastbourne feel with popular guests Lewis Bridger and Edward Kennett proving very worthy stand-ins - the highlight of Kennett's steadfast performance was a stunning pass on Charlie Gjedde in heat seven.

Such was the Hammers' supremacy that they registered just a single last place. Crump won two of the opening five races but the Hammers took a maximum in the reserves heat and followed it up with another in heat four.

The architect of these 5-1s was Kauko Nieminen, who again demonstrated his excellent aptitude for the Arena Raceway. His captain, the typically determined Leigh Lanham, produced his personal highlight with a great from-the-back win over Joe Screen in heat six.

The Hammers upped the ante as the meeting turned for home, slamming in two 5-1s before Crump donned the black and white helmet for double points and an Aces 7-2 with partner Billy Forsberg, whose consistent efforts were finally rewarded.

Crump registered a further win over Kennett and Bridger before Lanham signed off in style with the Hammers' fifth maximum of the night.

It was left to Andreas Jonsson to attempt to dent Crump's maximum aspirations in the final race - but the Aussie superstar rode a controlled inside line on the first corner to drive clear for his deserved full house.

Hammers: 1. Rider Replacement; 2. Lewis Bridger 8+3; 3. Andreas Jonsson 16; 4. Leigh Lanham 10+4; 5. Edward Kennett 12; 6. Ricky Kling 6+1; 7. Kauko Nieminen 7+1.

Belle Vue Aces: 1. Jason Crump 18; 2. Rider Replacement; 3. Charlie Gjedde 7; 4. Barrie Evans 0; 5. Joe Screen 4; 6. Robert Ksiezek 0; 7. Billy Forsberg 5.

Heat-by-heat:
1: Crump, Kennett, Bridger, Forsberg (fell, exc) (3-3) (3-3) 57.7
2: Nieminen, Kling, Forsberg, Ksiezak (5-1) (8-4) 59.7
3: Jonsson, Gjedde, Lanham, Evans (4-2) (12-6) 57.8
4: Kennett, Nieminen, Screen, Forsberg (5-1) (17-7) 58.9
5: Crump, Jonsson, Lanham, Ksiezak (3-3) (20-10) 57.8
6: Lanham, Screen, Brdiger, Ksiezak (4-2) (24-12) 59.4
7: Kennett, Gjedde, Kling, Forsberg (4-2) (28-14) 59.3
8: Bridger, Forsberg, Nieminen, Screen (4-2) (32-16) 59.9
9: Jonsson, Lanham, Screen, Ksiezak (5-1) (37-17) 59.3
10: Jonsson, Birdger, Gjedde, Evans (fell rem, ret) (5-1) (42-18) 59.0
11: Crump (tactical ride), Kennett, Forsberg, Kling (2-7) (44-25) 59.4
12: Jonsson, Gjedde, Nieminen, Ksiezak (4-2) (48-27) 58.8
13: Crump, Kennett, Bridger, Screen (3-3) (51-30) 58.4
14: Kling, Lanham, Forsberg, Evans (ret) (5-1) (56-31) 59.7
15: Crump, Jonsson, Lanham, Gjedde (3-3) (59-34) 58.7

  • HAMMERS are back in action on Thersday evening at Ipswich wehn the team will be 1. Andreas Jonsson, 2. Leigh Lanham, 3. Rider Replacement (for Adam Shields), 4. Tomas Topinka (Guest for Joonas Kylmakorpi), 5. Edward Kennett (Guest for Jonas Davidsson), 6. Ricky Kling, 7. Kauko Nieminen.