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Elite League Knockout Cup: Semi Final, 1st Leg : Wednesday 13th August 2008
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There was plenty of edge in this cup clash as the Hammers locked horns with local rivals Eastbourne, ultimately emerging from the first leg of this semi-final with an eleven point advantage.
The Hammers lined up without number one Andreas Jonsson - injured in Poland over the weekend - and shoulder victim Joonas Kylmakorpi. However, with new Ipswich signing Rory Schlein in fine form throughout - the Aussie opened proceedings with a great win over Scott Nicholls - and the rest of the Hammers chipping in with vital points, the Hammers saw off their rivals with a well rounded team effort.
The Eagles appeared without the absent Lee Richardson, although there's some debate as to whether this actually strengthened them given Richardson's poor record around the Arena Raceway. Nonetheless, the Hammers quickly moved into an early six point lead, Adam Shields flying past early pacesetter Lewis Bridger on the second lap of the third heat to lead a Hammers 4-2.
Dynamic number eight Kauko Nieminen continued the flying start to his Hammers career with a tapes to flag victory over Edward Kennett in heat four. Kennett worked hard to pass Lubos Tomicek and prevent a Hammers maximum in the second running, the first having been stopped at the first attempt as Kennett hit the deck.
Six became eight as the Hammers extended their advantage further in a classic heat five encounter between Shields and Nicholls. The duo produced a fantastic heat of speedway as Nicholls recovered from a sticky start to chase down the Hammers skipper, who countered with a brilliant display of defensive riding to hold off the charge of the British captain.
Increasingly heavy rainfall altered the playing field in heat seven as Hammers Kling and Nieminen were caught out on the first turn, leaving the door wide open for Kennett and Woodward to reduce the margin with a 5-1. The Hammers replied with a maximum of their own following a great first lap from Leigh Lanham, who drove between Lewis Bridger and Simon Gustafsson to assume control of second place behind the forceful Tomicek.
A run of shared heats followed, the most controversial of which was heat ten when Woodward dived inside Lanham on the final bend, sending the Hammer flying and earning a justifiable exclusion for unfair riding.
Shields and Tomicek teamed up spectactularly in heat twelve to slam in a maximum over Woodward, moving the Hammers twelve points clear but equally opening the door for the Eagles to nominate Nicholls for a tactical ride in the following race. The Eagles star flew from the start as he donned the black and white helmet but lifted alarmingly coming out of the corner, effectively ending the race of partner Kennett. To Nicholls' credit, he produced a superb ride to move through the field and overtake both Hammers, both of whom were happy to settle for the minor placings and limit the overall damage.
An assured ride from Ricky Kling brought victory over Woodward in heat fourteen after Gustafsson had crashed out, moving the Hammers eleven points to the good with one race to go. The final heat brought more controversy as Kennett dropped the bike on the first corner and was denied a re-run, instead earning an exclusion as he remained on the track. Nicholls cruised to victory in the re-run to leave the Hammers with the satisfaction of beating their rivals and taking a well-earned lead to Arlington for the second leg on 30th August.
 Related Link: Opening advantage to Hammers in derby cup clash : Match Statistics
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