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Post by Administrator on Oct 26, 2018 10:28:59 GMT
Hammers go for Title glory. Play-Off Final 1st leg Preview
Lakeside boss Will Pottinger is urging fans to turn out in force to back their bid for Championship glory on Saturday (7.30pm).
Hammers face Knockout Cup winners Workington at Rye House in the first leg of their play-off final after brushing aside Peterborough in midweek.
And Pottinger, who has won most major honours available at National League level with Cradley, is aiming to top all that with a league title in his first season with the Hammers.
He said: “We’ve worked hard to get this far despite everything we’ve had to contend with this season.
“Our boys are just getting dialled in at Rye House following the move from Arena Essex last month and we need to be on top form in the first leg.
“We need all our fans to come along for the Grand Final and get right behind the boys. It’s going to be tough because we know how strong Workington are and we congratulate them on winning the cup.
“It’s important for us to build up a handy lead to take to Workington for the return leg on Sunday night. We need a cushion to take up there and a good start would be useful for us.”
Pottinger has named an unchanged side from that which beat Peterborough in Wednesday’s semi-final. The Comets use the rider replacement facility to cover for Dan Bewley’s absence and Tero Aarnio steps in for Ty Proctor who has a hand injury.
The second leg is at Derwent Park on Sunday at 7.30 and on Monday the Hammers are back for the Championship Shield Final and the outstanding league fixture to round off the season in Cumbria.
The 2018 Hammer of the year will be presented at the conclusion of Saturday's meeting.
Lakeside Hammers:
Richard Lawson, Zach Wajtknecht, Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman, Nick Morris, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell.
Workington Comets:
Rene Bach, Dan Bewley R/R, Tero Aarnio, Rasmus Jensen, Nicolai Klindt, Kyle Bickley, Mason Campton.
Gates open 5.30pm.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 26, 2018 20:24:43 GMT
As the actress is said to have exclaimed to the Bishop: "Winter draws on!" Be that as it may, here's the Saturday weather forecast for the Hoddesdon area as it affects Lakeside Hammers v Workington at Rye House: www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646807
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Post by Administrator on Oct 27, 2018 13:15:36 GMT
Latest weather check indicates showers between 4pm and 8pm.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 27, 2018 21:05:44 GMT
Saturday October 27, 2018:
CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 1st leg LAKESIDE 44: Nick Morris 12, Richard Lawson 10+1, Adam Ellis 9, Ben Morley 5, Zach Wajtknecht 4+1, Alfie Bowtell 2+1, Kyle Newman 2. WORKINGTON 34: Mason Campton 9, Nicolai Klindt 8+2, Rasmus Jensen 6+1, Rene Bach 6, Tero Aarnio 5+2, Kyle Bickley 0, Dan Bewley r/r. Abandoned after Heat 13 (rain/track conditions) – Result stands
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Post by Administrator on Oct 28, 2018 6:56:59 GMT
Lakeside Hammers Speedway Press Release Game on, as Richard takes Hammer of The Year
Richard Lawson was crowned 2018 Hammer of the Year, as the weather gods rained on Lakeside's parade as they made their bid for Championship Grand Final glory.
The Hammers were just easing into a potentially dominant position when the elements conspired against them.
Ten points clear with four races to go and their heat leaders in superb form – Richard Lawson, Adam Ellis and the peerless Nick Morris had dropped just a point between them at this point – they looked set to take a big lead to Derwent Park for tomorrow's second leg.
But then the rain came – and stayed for 45 minutes.
Eventually, after plenty of track work and a lot of consultation, riding – rather than racing – was resumed.
But the result was two processional 5-1s, one for each side, with riders struggling to turn in the corners. Further discussions took place, but with a majority of riders on both sides feeling conditions unsafe, referee Margaret Vardy made the inevitable decision.
Home skipper Richard Lawson – named as the supporters' rider of the year from an online poll immediately afterwards – accepted the verdict.
“Obviously towards the end there conditions got tricky,” he said.
“A 10-point lead is nice. I feel before the rain we were looking to get some big results in heats 13 and 15.
“But we can go confidently up to Workington with 10 points.
“We were feeling really good on the track. The team has gelled just amazingly to the new track. But it is what it is. We'll take that lead and make the best of it.”
Action before the rain was entertaining, with Morris superb in heat four to pass Nicolai Klindt and Mason Campton before the second bend of the second lap.
And Ben Morley nearly caused a sensation in heat 11, holding back Rene Bach for virtually three laps before the visitors' number one slipped through. But now it's all about tomorrow.
As the weather cut short the end of meeting presentations, The Hammers Committee are also planning to hold an end of season get together in Essex, for fans in November. Further details will be announced shortly.
Lakeside:
Nick Morris 12, Richard Lawson 10+1, Adam Ellis 9, Ben Morley 5, Zach Wajtknecht 4+1, Alfie Bowtell 2+1, Kyle Newman 2.
Workington:
Mason Campton 9, Nicolai Klindt 8+2, Rasmus Jensen 6+1, Rene Bach 6, Tero Aarnio 5+2, Kyle Bickley 0, Dan Bewley R/R.
Report by Tim HamblinAttachments:
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Post by Administrator on Oct 28, 2018 10:07:48 GMT
Comets v The Hammers. Play-Off Final 2nd leg Preview
Lakeside team boss Will Pottinger is looking to his top order “batsmen” to hit Workington for six in the Grand Final showdown at Derwent Park tonight.
The Comets tried to dead-bat their way through last night’s rain-curtailed first leg at Rye House, packing the minor placings to limit any damage.
But Pottinger reckons the Hammers, with their superb top three of Richard Lawson, Adam Ellis and Nick Morris, can get on the front foot and provide the race wins to protect their 10-point advantage.
“That’s probably the best way to sum up what Workington have done, to be honest,” said the manager.
“But I’d like to think we’ve got the heat leaders to win the races that we need.
“We have a double-figure lead, which I wanted before the meeting. We’ve got to look to push on from that and make sure we get off to a good start at Workington.
“That’s going to be key. We don’t want Workington to get a head of steam, because then it’s going to be difficult.
“We’ve just got to try and chip away as best we can. We’ve put ourselves in a decent position; we need to try and do the business tonight.
“Everything’s going to be on the line for 15 heats. The league title’s on the line — we’ll be giving everything.
“We’ve got race winners who can go out there. Maybe we can bat it out!”
The Hammers are unchanged for the season’s big night. Workington again use Tero Aarnio as a guest, but the extra five per cent allowance for home fixtures means he replaces Dan Bewley at Derwent Park rather than Ty Proctor, as at Rye House.
Rider-replacement thus switches from Bewley to Proctor with all Comets eligible to take one of his rides.
Lakeside Hammers: Richard Lawson, Zach Wajtknecht, Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman, Nick Morris, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell.
Workington Comets: Rene Bach, Ty Proctor R/R, Tero Aarnio (guest), Rasmus Jensen, Nicolai Klindt, Kyle Bickley, Mason Campton.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 28, 2018 22:30:03 GMT
UPCOMING FIXTURES... Monday, 29/10/18 7pm Workington v Lakeside (Champ Shield) Monday, 29/10/18 8.45pm Wokington v Lakeside (Championship)
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Post by Administrator on Oct 28, 2018 22:58:07 GMT
Sunday October 28, 2018: CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND FINAL 2nd leg WORKINGTON 61: Nicolai Klindt 15, Rasmus Jensen 14+1, Tero Aarnio 11+1, Rene Bach 10+3, Kyle Bickley 6+1, Mason Campton 5+1, Ty Proctor r/r. LAKESIDE 29: Adam Ellis 9, Richard Lawson 8+1, Nick Morris 5, Kyle Newman 4+1, Zach Wajtknecht 2, Alfie Bowtell 1, Ben Morley 0. Workington win 95-73 on aggregate.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 29, 2018 9:51:05 GMT
Comets take the title Lakeside Skipper Richard Lawson is proud of his team — despite their Grand Final drubbing at Workington.
Hammers team boss Will Pottinger had urged his men to hit the home side early and prevent them building up a head of steam.
But Lakeside were powerless as the Comets, who have been in scintillating form on their own circuit of late, wiped out the Hammers’ 10-point lead from the first leg in the space of only three races.
The visitors could produce only two race winners in Lawson and Adam Ellis and one heat advantage as they struggled with set-ups at a circuit where — the abandoned league match when Dan Bewley was injured apart — they have not raced this season.
Workington’s high-powered Danish trio, plus guest Tero Aarnio, continually racked up the points and after just 11 races the home side needed only to provide a finisher in each heat to claim the crown.
“Obviously they go well round here and they caught us big-time,” said Lawson.
“Early on we weren’t getting out of the starts and struggled for speed — the track was so slick.
“It was difficult. We never stopped trying, but the scoreline doesn’t reflect that.
“We were pushing and I couldn’t ask any more from all the team.
“It’s been a tough season, but to get to the final is something to be proud of.
“We’ve had the same seven guys throughout the season, which says a lot, and the fans have stuck by us with the switch to Rye House.
“Everything’s been against us — but we’ve still managed to get ourselves here, to a final.
“It was what it was. We tried.”
The Hammers must now regroup for tomorrow’s Shield final second leg at the same venue, where they trail by two points from the home leg, as Workington chase a Cup, league and Shield treble.
All at the Hammers send our congratulations to the Comets.
Workington Comets:
Nicolai Klindt 15, Rasmus Jensen 14+1, Tero Aarnio 11+1, Rene Bach 10+3, Kyle Bickley 6+1, Mason Campton 5+1, Ty Proctor R/R.
Lakeside Hammers:
Adam Ellis 9, Richard Lawson 8+1, Nick Morris 5, Kyle Newman 4+1, Zach Wajtknecht 2, Alfie Bowtell 1, Ben Morley 0.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 29, 2018 9:53:43 GMT
Comets v Hammers Shield Final 2nd Leg Preview
Lakeside ace Nick Morris says his side will be racing for pride tonight in their last shot at silverware this season.
They took a 61-29 beating from Workington in the Championship Grand Final yesterday to lose by 22 points on aggregate.
This evening they are back at the same Derwent Park venue — and face an uphill struggle as they begin the Shield Final second leg trailing by two points.
“We’ve seen what they’ve been doing to most teams that come here,” admitted Morris, whose considerable efforts in last night’s match yielded only five points.
“They’re just too good round this place. We thought we’d be able to put up a fight, but, yeah — they’re just quick, that’s all.
“We didn’t get the bikes set up as they do. We just couldn’t keep up, really.
“We’ll come back and try to race for a bit of pride. But we’ve got nothing to be ashamed about. We made it this far and, like I said, Workington are a really good team.”
Team boss Will Pottinger reckons the Hammers can at least learn from their experience in terms of preparation.
“We’re in a Grand Final and we haven’t raced here all year — a bizarre situation,” he said.
“At least we’ve got a bit of an idea as to where we’ve got to start from, bike set-up wise.
“We’re not going to give up. We’ll keep fighting.”
Hammers are unchanged while Stefan Nielsen guests for the Comets in place of the injured Dan Bewley.
Workington Comets:
Rene Bach, Ty Proctor R/R, Stefan Nielsen (G), Rasmus Jensen, Nicolai Klindt, Kyle Bickley, Mason Campton.
Lakeside Hammers:
Richard Lawson, Zach Wajtknecht, Adam Ellis, Kyle Newman, Nick Morris, Ben Morley, Alfie Bowtell.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 29, 2018 10:40:23 GMT
WORKINGTON have the chance to complete a league, KO Cup and Championship Shield Treble at Derwent Park tonight (Monday).
Just 24 hours on from their title victory, the Comets face Lakeside once again in the second leg of the Shield Final, this time holding a two-point advantage from the first leg at Hoddesdon earlier in the month.
The match is followed by the outstanding Championship league fixture between the clubs, with Stefan Nielsen guesting for the injured Dan Bewley for the home side in both sections of the double-header.
Comets boss Tony Jackson said: “After last night’s league title success we all need to re-focus for one last push to claim the Championship Shield and, without being greedy, to complete the treble would be a tremendous achievement for everyone.
“Obviously Lakeside will be hurting after last night’s defeat and they will be determined to put in a big effort to make the most of another trophy opportunity. And, while we have a two-point advantage from the away leg that means nothing and can be wiped out in just one race so we will forget about that and aim to win the meeting as always.
“It has been a tough end to the season and one that none of us will forget, but if we can make one more push tonight then we can relax from tomorrow onwards.
“We would also like to encourage all our supporters to come out again tonight for the last chance to see their league and cup winning 2018 heroes in action at Derwent Park.”
Lakeside boss Will Pottinger said: “At least we’ve got a bit of an idea as to where we’ve got to start from, bike set-up wise.
“We’re not going to give up. We’ll keep fighting.” www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.35793
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Post by Administrator on Oct 29, 2018 21:55:25 GMT
www.speedwaygb.co.uk/news.php?extend.35795
RESULTS and scorers from meetings held on Monday October 29, 2018;
CHAMPIONSHIP SHIELD FINAL, 2nd leg WORKINGTON 52: Mason Campton 12+1, Rasmus Jensen 12, Nicolai Klindt 10+1, Rene Bach 8+3, Kyle Bickley 7+1, Stefan Nielsen 3+1, Ty Proctor r/r. LAKESIDE 38: Mick Morris 12+1, Richard Lawson 10+1, Adam Ellis 9, Kyle Newman 4+2, Alfie Bowtell 1+1, Zach Wajtknecht 1, Ben Morley 1. Workington won 98-82 on aggregate.
CHAMPIONSHIP WORKINGTON 18: Rasmus Jensen 6, Mason Campton 3+1, Nicolai Klindt 3, Kyle Bickley 3, Rene Bach 2+1, Stefan Nielsen 1, Ty Proctor r/r. LAKESIDE 6: Adam Ellis 2, Nick Morris 2, Richard Lawson 1, Alfie Bowtell 1, Zach Wajtknecht 0, Kyle Newman 0, Ben Morley 0. Abandoned after 4 heats - track conditions - result will not stand.
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Post by Administrator on Oct 30, 2018 7:24:24 GMT
Ellis: We gave it everything. Comets v Hammers Meeting Report
Adam Ellis admitted it was “devastating” to end the campaign trophy-less after missing out on the Championship Shield at Workington.
Having lost the Championship title at Derwent Park just 24 hours earlier, the Hammers were once again beaten by the Comets, losing 52-38.
That meant going down by 16 points on aggregate having lost the home leg by two points at Hoddesdon.
Ellis revealed: “It’s a hard one to swallow really. We’ve given it everything but just run into a Workington team who are phenomenal around their own track.
“We were dreadful on Sunday night as they hit us really hard in the early stages. We’ve been changing set-ups and everything we can to try and find something that works around Derwent Park, but it’s not been good enough.
“It’s been just as hard tonight. We’ve been a bit better out of the start but it was always going to be tough in this one because they were ahead from the first leg.
“Obviously we’re all gutted for the club and the fans. It’s devastating to come all this week and come away with nothing to show for it.
“I’m not making excuses but it’s been a hard year for us. The move to Rye House really affected us unfortunately.
“I think if we’d still been at Arena-Essex our leads from the first legs would have been much bigger and given us a fighting chance at Workington
.“We had a home advantage just as good as theirs so it would have been much closer, I’m absolutely sure of that.
“We also had the rain come down in the first leg of the Championship final which perhaps cost us a bigger lead as well when it was rained-off.
“It feels like everything has conspired against us a bit. But that’s not taking anything away from Workington who have clearly been the best team of the season.”
If the task was huge at the start for the Hammers, it was even more daunting as the Comets romped to a 10-2 lead after the opening two heats.
Richard Lawson then had to fight for four laps to pass home youngster Kyle Bickley but the home side were well in control and 14 points up after a Heat 8 maximum.
But when Nicolai Klindt and Bickley got away from Lawson in Heat 11, the writing was well and truly on the wall.
Finally the Comets put the Hammers out of their misery with a 4-2 in the next race over Adam Ellis to secure the Shield success.
The excellent Nick Morris, a class act from start to finish all night, gained two late 5-1s with Lawson to salvage some pride. But it was another tough night for the Hammers.
Workington Comets 52:
Mason Campton 12+1, Rasmus Jensen 12, Nicolai Klindt 10+1, Rene Bach 8+3, Kyle Bickley 7+1, Stefan Nielsen 3+1, Ty Proctor r/r.
Lakeside Hammers 38:
Nick Morris 12+1, Richard Lawson 10+1, Adam Ellis 9, Kyle Newman 4+2, Alfie Bowtell 1+1, Zach Wajtknecht 1, Ben Morley 1.
Workington won 98-82 on aggregate.
The second meeting in this double header - the last league meeting of the year - was abandoned after four heats and the result will not stand.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 1, 2018 9:46:07 GMT
IMPORTANT LAKESIDE HAMMERS Club Statement - Douglas to step aside.
My fellow Hammers fans,
It is with a heavy heart that I have taken the decision that it is time for me to pass on the mantle as promoter and benefactor of The Lakeside Hammers.
At times I have felt like Canute, seemingly facing every conceivable wave that battered us and stood in the way of achieving much desired success for the club.
Jon Cook always said to me that we are merely custodians of this great sport, and if the time comes when I can no longer protect nor progress it, then that's the time to let someone else have a go.
I have done as much as I can, at great personal and emotional expense, to raise the honourable name of The Hammers.
Together we have had some great times, even through some really dark days, and I will treasure those memories.
I remain committed, however, in the pursuit of my ultimate objective, which is to obtain a facility for speedway in my home county of Essex, and to that end, I will continue to facilitate and support the work of Mark Sexton and the Hammers committee, along with the desires of Thurrock council, to make that dream reality.
The events of this year have proven a step too far for me, with the forced relocation to Rye House determining whether we would be able to keep racing.
I remain extremely grateful to the Rye House owners for allowing us to at least finish the season's fixtures - a facility that was not extended to us by Arena.
It wasn't quite the finale I had in mind, and it may well have been different had we been able to complete the campaign at our home track.
This team, this year, has been one of the most exciting teams I've ever seen in the crossed Hammers, and I am grateful for their all out determination to battle on through constant adversity. They nearly achieved our joint aim of winning the title, too.
They deserve our respect and gratitude.
It is my intention is to put my license on ice whilst we fight for the new facility in Thurrock, and whilst I can't say what the next few weeks may have in store, I am looking at all the options currently open to us, including third party stewardship, if the right person were to come forward ahead of the BSPA AGM on 12th November.
If this IS the last time we see the Hammers race for a while, I look forward to seeing you all again as soon as we can, in a new place in Thurrock we can call home.
My thanks, as ever, to the dedicated, loyal, generous, incredibly hardworking volunteers who keep this club running.
To ALL the riders, our sponsors, and to Jon Cook, who takes the weight of everything from everyone.
Most of all, I want to thank you, the fans. You have been amazing from day 1 - I'm just sorry I could not bring you a league title.
Until next time, my friends.
Stuart Douglas
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Post by Administrator on Nov 14, 2018 19:58:25 GMT
Lakeside Hammers Speedway
BSPA AGM Statement: Now confirmed following the recent statement from Stuart Douglas, the Hammers Championship license is on ice for the 2019 season as we look for a new home. A further update will follow.
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