The Lakeside Hammers roared to a very impressive 34 points victory over last season’s triple champions, the Coventry Bees, in last night’s Sky Sports Elite League match at their Arena-Essex Raceway.
The win moves the Hammers up two places in the table, up into third place, but they have four matches in hand over the top two, Swindon and Poole. A top two place at the end of the season is important as it will give the Essex based Club a home draw in the semi final of the play-off’s for the League title.
It was a solid all-round team performance against the Bees, which was fought out not only in front of the fans at the Arena-Essex Raceway but also by those watching the proceedings live on Sky Sports. Amongst the crowd were many new to the Sport as the Hammers promotion had opened the doors free to the 999 Services, Armed Forces and their families. Those new people could not have failed to have been impressed with the superiority of the home side.
The Hammers Co-Promoter and Team Manager, Jon Cook, commented on the performance saying: “It was great to put in such a good performance in front of the Sky Sports cameras and the fans of the other Elite League clubs can clearly see we mean business this year. We are already in the Craven Shield Final, ironically against Coventry, the Knockout Cup Semi Final and are also determined to reach the play-offs for the first time. The Hammers fans have still a lot of important meetings coming up to get fully behind the team.”
He continued: “All our seven riders were paid for wins but I am sure that each will admit that there were instances during the meeting where they could have done even better. This bodes well for the future with five of the side on full contracts with the Club. We need to continue winning at home in the League and getting a few more points on our travels. With matches in hand over virtually every other club we simply must win those matches and that should give us every opportunity of being there or thereabouts come the play-off’s.”
The Hammers boss, Stuart Douglas, was pleased how things went against Coventry stating:“I believe the Club showed to the large television audience that we know how to put on a great evening’s entertainment in a very professional manner. Even though the Bees were without Chris Harris and lost Billy Janniro after a first heat fall the team remained fully focused right though to the end with Andreas (Jonsson) thrilling everyone with his from the back win in that final heat. I am sure that the charity, CHILDREN with LEUKAEMIA, whom we supported for this meeting will be receiving a healthy sized cheque shortly. Our normal Club 50/50 draw proceeds are going straight into their funds along with the bucket collection made plus monies from the auction we are currently running via our website for the special race jackets worn by the Hammers riders. These have all been signed by the individual riders and already there has been a lot of interest shown.”
Details of the auction can be found on the Hammers website at www.lakesidehammers.com although a further Press Release regarding this fund raising activity will be issued Wednesday.
It is a busy week for the Hammers riders as they return to the Arena-Essex Raceway this Friday (4th July) for another vital Sky Sports Elite League match. The Belle Vue Aces will be the visitors and they are led by Australian Grand Prix star, Jason Crump. The Australian, who won the British GP staged at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff last Saturday, is likely to give the Hammers side a stern test as in his previous visits to the Raceway he has been virtually unbeatable.
Both sides go into this meeting minus a rider with the Aces missing Dane Charlie Gjedde and the Hammers without Swede Jonas Davidsson. Both are due to compete on the continent the following day in an important GP qualification meeting. Both clubs will cover their rides by utilising the ‘Rider Replacement’ facility, which will enable their team colleagues to take additional rides.
The new set of averages come into use for July and those will see Joonas Kylmakorpi return back into the top five after a spell at reserve with Lubos Tomicek dropping down to reserve.
Jon Cook commented on this change stating: “Joonas (Kylmakorpi) had a good spell for us at reserve although he did miss a couple of meetings due to a dislocated shoulder. During May and June he piled up the points for us and increased his average, which will see him back up in the top five for July. I am sure he will continue to score well there. Similarly Lubos should improve his scoring when down at reserve. He has, on occasions, struggled to get the points he deserves whilst in the main body of the side but his performance on Monday, against Coventry, showed everyone that he is a very good prospect and I anticipate him upping his points scoring during July.”
Friday’s action gets underway at 8pm although for those fans who are able to get to the Arena-Essex Raceway early there will be a series of junior races commencing at 6.45pm.
