Lakeside Hammers continued their march towards the 2009 Elite League play-offs with a comprehensive 55-37 victory over rivals Eastbourne.
The home side were always in control from the moment they started with a 5-1 in the very first race thanks to Lee Richardson and Joonas Kylmakorpi.
The Hammers welcomed Adam Shields back following his lay-off through injury and, after making a tentative comeback attempt in heat four, the Aussie showed signs that a return to top form is not too far away.
Top form is certainly what Kauko Nieminen showed, producing five determined rides on his way to a richly deserved paid maximum.
It was the Finn’s second full score of the year, the last was back in March against Ipswich, and achieved thanks to a series of impressive rides, particularly in heat nine when he missed the start but powered around the Eagles pair of Lukas Dryml and Ricky Kling.
With Eagles’ top man Davey Watt not at his best, Ricky Kling struggling and Lewis Bridger finding proceedings difficult, guest Paul Hurry stepped up to the plate to give a performance that rivalled that of Nieminen.
The ex-Hammer reeled off four wins for 14 points and was a constant thorn in Lakeside’s side.
But Hammers had their own reserve hero in Stuart Robson, who scored eight points and featured in a superb heat eight with Bridger. The Eastbourne star gradually reeled in the Hammers number seven before making a final attempt to pass on the line, only for Robson to be announced as the winner.
Bridger was nominated for a tactical ride in heat seven, but things certainly did not go to plan when he crashed out on the second turn to earn an exclusion.
The re-run saw Cam Woodward sneak in front, but Hammers guest Andrew Silver charged in front, diving up the inside on the third turn to send Eastbourne’s Aussie crashing out and earn an exclusion. Penalised he may have been, but Silver was full value in his races and fans lapped up his return to the colours of the club he served with such distinction 22 years ago.
Eagles’ last throw of the dice came in heat 11 when Watt was nominated for a tactical ride and teamed up with Woodward for an 8-1 over Shields.
Any hope that might produce some scoring momentum was dashed in the next race when Bridger was caught out at the tapes and Hammers quickly replied with a 4-2.
A 5-1 for Shields and Richardson saw the Hammers home and dry despite a penultimate 5-1 for the Eagles in heat 14.
The final race saw Nieminen in determined mood to claim his maximum. He led the first attempt that was stopped after Bridger crashed out down the backstraight and made no mistake at the second time of asking to team up with Davidsson and finish the meeting off in style.
Hammers complete their league fixtures at home to Ipswich Witches next Friday knowing that victory will confirm their play-off spot.
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