The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsAnother two crucial meeting’s took place last night in the Elite League, as league leaders Coventry Bees took on Lakeside, whilst bottom club Wolverhampton were up against playoff hopefuls, Swindon Robins.
Lakeside Hammers 45-45 Coventry Bees
Lakeside skipper Andreas Jonsson the home side a draw in a dramatic meeting with league leaders Coventry Bees at Purfleet.
The Swede managed to get the better of Hans Andersen in the final heat to earn the Hammers a vital point.
The visitors were unfortunate to lose Stuart Robson in the opening heat, but reserve Jason Garrity claimed an impressive 15+1 after picking up extra rides. But the Hammers too suffered problems as Adam Ellis damaged his hand before guest Adam Roynon suffered a collarbone injury.
The Bees, who were in search of their seventh away win of the season, led 41-37 with two heats remaining, but an impressive 5-1 in heat 14 from Edward Kennett and Richard Lawson leveled the meeting.
The final heat saw Jonsson finish ahead of Bees pair Andersen and Chris Harris, leaving Coventry to claim two points.
But the Bees lead over Poole Pirates is down to five points now.
Andersen said: “I knew I’d lost it when I lifted coming off that corner, and it’s just one of those things. I had to change bikes just before the race because the clutch broke on the bike I’d just won a race on, so I went out on a bike I hadn’t used at all. But no excuses, I made the gate and just needed to hold on for less than half a lap and I just made a rider error.”
LAKESIDE 45: Andreas Jonsson 14, Edward Kennett 9+1, Mikkel Bech 7+1, Richard Lawson 6+1, Davey Watt 5+1, Adam Roynon 2+1, Adam Ellis 2.
COVENTRY 45: Jason Garrity 15+1, Hans Andersen 10, Chris Harris 9+1, Joonas Kylmakorpi 6+1, James Sarjeant 4+3, Danny King 1, Stuart Robson 0.
Wolverhampton Wolves 39-51 Swindon Robins
Swindon kept their play-off hopes alive with a vital win away at strugglers Wolves.
Polish rider Grzegorz Zengota continued his impressive form as he picked up 16 points as the Robins clawed their way back from 33-27 down to take all four points.
Swindon lost Nick Morris early on as he aggravated a previous elbow injury, but Robins boss Alun Rossiter was pleased with his side’s overall performance.
“The atmosphere was great tonight and it was probably the best team spirit I’ve seen all year; after going six down in heat ten, everyone rallied round, they really pumped themselves up and finished the meeting in an outstanding manner.
“Luck didn’t seem to be going our way at one point, but we stuck at it and pulled off a great result in the end.”
Wolves promoter Chris Van Straaten admitted it was another disappointing evening for his side, as his side remain at the wrong end of the Elite League table.
WOLVERHAMPTON 39: Fredrik Lindgren 10+1, Jacob Thorssell 9, Lewis Blackbird 7+1, Ricky Wells 6, Peter Karlsson 4+1, Josh Bates 3+1, Tobiasz Musielak 0.
SWINDON 51: Grzegorz Zengota 16, Darcy Ward 11+1, Charles Wright 9+1, Troy Batchelor 8+2, Ashley Morris 5+1, Nick Morris 1+1, Eduard Krcmar
