LAKESIDE Hammers, in proud association with The Royal Navy, will aim to extend their second position in the Sky Sports Elite League when Wolverhamptonvisit the Arena-Essex Raceway on Monday.

LAKESIDE Hammers, in proud association with The Royal Navy, will aim to extend their second position in the Sky Sports Elite League when Wolverhamptonvisit the Arena-Essex Raceway on Monday.

The midland team have closed the gap on the Hammers to just a single point after a successful week and the Hammers, who have not been in action over the past ten days, will be keen to extend the gap again having ridden one less home match than the visitors.

Paul Hurry will be forced into watching the meeting from the sidelines having had a successful operation on his broken finger, which should allow him to return to action in time for next Friday’s visit of Peterborough. Jason Lyons, the experienced Australian international, who rides for Birmingham in the Premier League, will deputise for Hurry at No.6.

With the introduction of the new averages coming into force for Monday’s match the Hammers Team Manager, Jon Cook, has needed to make changes to the riding order. This will see Kauko Nieminen move to No.2 to partner Lee Richardson whilst the Davidsson brothers, Daniel and Jonas, will occupy the No.3 & 4 positions. Stuart Robson will now move down to reserve – a position he rode well in for the Hammers last season.

Jon Cook commented: “It was a great win against Poole last Friday but that victory was at a price as Paul (Hurry) picked up a nasty finger injury in a crash, which was not his fault. The difference between his average and Kauko’s (Nieminen) is so close that if he had been able to complete that final race Paul would have been up in our top five with Kauko dropping down to reserve. At least we are able to have a guest for Paul on Monday and I’m sure Jason ( Lyons) will do a good job for us.”

Wolverhampton have already won at the Hammers Raceway this season in the Elite Shield and the Hammers will be looking for revenge, and the maximum three Elite League points that will be available.

With it being an important clash between second and third in the League and with the weather forecast looking for the present hot dry spell to continue there is likely to be a large crowd attending this Monday’s meeting. Fans are asked, therefore, to arrive as early as possible. The pay booths will open at 6.00pm although the free car parking areas will be open at 5.30pm. Tickets will be available on the night but may also be purchased via the Hammers on-line shop at www.lakesidehamers.com

The Arena-Essex Raceway will be the place to be on Monday evening.

The two teams for Mondays match are, in alphabetical order:-

Lakeside Hammers – Daniel Davidsson (Sweden), Jonas Davidsson (Sweden), Jason Lyons (Australia) – guest for Paul Hurry, Kauko Nieminen (Finland), Lee Richardson (Great Britain), Stuart Robson (Great Britain), Adam Shields (Australia) – Captain.

Wolverhampton Wolves – Joe Haines (great Britain), Nicolai Klindt (Denmark), Fredrik Lindgren (Sweden), Ludvig Lindgren (Sweden), Tyron Proctor (Australia), Joe Screen (Great Britain), Tai Woffinden (Great Britain) – Captain.