Hammers and Panthers clash

Lakeside Hammers v Peterborough Readypower PanthersPETERBOROUGH completes two matches in consecutive days with a visit to the Arena Essex raceway in Thurrock.

Lakeside Hammers v Peterborough Readypower Panthers

PETERBOROUGH completes two matches in consecutive days with a visit to the Arena Essex raceway in Thurrock.

Lakeside isn't a place that the Panthers have fond memories off recently but in the A fixture they gave a good account of themselves going down 41-54 with Kenneth Bjerre top scoring with 14 points.

The Hammers are relatively unchanged from the A fixture and have proved to be a considerable force again this year on the small and very technical Arena Essex raceway, with a solid 1 to 5 and a mixture of experience and youth at reserve.

Lee Richardson has recently taken over the no 1 spot in the teams GSA but Jonas Davidsson and Kauko Nieminen have significantly upped their starting averages as well, with captain Adam Shields and Joonas Kylmakorpi offering solid support.

Stuart Robson and Phil Morris are the experienced reserves with young Rye House star Robert Mear sharing the doubling up role with Morris to good effect.

Peterborough meanwhile will have 3 changes to the side which visited in April with Claus Vissing and Kenneth Hansen visiting for the first time this year and joined by Lakeside specialist and asset Henning Bager who has enjoyed several profitable scores at the venue over recent years.

Whether or not the Panthers manage to leave Thurrock with anything from this match could depend on contributions from the bottom part of the team however with the Panthers heat leaders managing a combined total of 33 points in the A fixture.

Henning Bager said: “The secret at Lakeside is to make the starts and go in front, as you saw when they were here they are very quick out of the starts and they have been a good team for a couple of years.

I always enjoy riding there but it is more important to make a start there than anywhere else and we need to concentrate on getting that working, although of course you do need the set up as well”.

Team Manager Wayne Swales said: “Lakeside are a good team in depth and have a nice set up there and we just need to adapt from two good meetings on big tracks to go to a tricky and technical circuit and get dialled in really. I would like to think we can get something out of this meeting and you have to go there positive and the team will, but we have to treat them with respect they ride superbly around their own track but I definitely think we can come away from Lakeside with something”.

Promoter Mick Bratley said: “Lakeside has not been such a potent force this season and they have dropped points at home. Jon Cook publicly slated his side in TV's live match on Wednesday and this will likely fire them up for our visit, but it could make them try to hard and work against them. This could be an opportunity for us to get something from the meeting.

Owner Rick Frost said: “Lakeside is not an easy track and they have a good side this year who will make full use of home advantage. Having said that our riders also know the track so we have no real excuses if we don't perform well".

Lakeside Hammers: Jonas DAVIDSSON (7.75), Joonas KYLMAKORPI (5.96), Robert MEAR (3.51), Kauko NIEMINEN (5.93), Lee RICHARDSON (8.70), Stuart ROBSON (3.94), Adam SHIELDS (7.43) Captain.

Team Manager Jon Cook

Peterborough Panthers: Henning BAGER (4.63), Kenneth BJERRE (7.93), Ales DRYML (4.53), Kenneth HANSEN (3.57), Niels Kristian IVERSEN (8.21) Captain, Mads KORNELIUSSEN (7.00) & Claus VISSING (4.47).

Team Managers Trevor & Wayne Swales