|
Elite League Knockout Cup, 2nd Leg : Friday 20th June 2008 @ 8pm
|
The Hammers eased through to the semi-finals of the Elite League Knockout Cup with this routine win over Peterborough, taking the aggregate win by 101 points to 81 thanks in main to their thumping twelve point win at the East of England Showground the night previous.
Despite the comprehensive nature of the scoreline, there was plenty of competitive racing with the Panthers eager to put on a show with their makeshift side and make amends for their home failings.
The Hammers too were in determined mood and this was emphasised by Andreas Jonsson in heat one, who blasted around visiting guest Bjarne Pedersen at the start of the second lap.
Skipper Adam Shields missed the start in heat three and quickly took up the chase of Danish pairing Claus Vissing and Henning Bager. The Aussie took the lead for the shortest of moments on the third lap only to be squeezed out and allow Bager, a former Hammers favourite, to take the chequered flag.
The home side tracked number eight Chris Mills in place of the injured Joonas Kylmakorpi and he picked up a competitive paid win, gating in front of Panthers guest James Wright and lively first time visitor Ty Proctor. Proctor had taken the reserves heat with a fast start and clever corner and ended up with an impressive paid nine points.
Jonas Davidsson celebrated his announcement as a full Hammers signing - the paperwork was completed by Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook in front of the home faithful - by storming to three early wins. Two of these were over Pedersen and the most notable came in heat eleven when Pedersen was riding for double points as a tactical ride.
The outcome of the tie was settled early on and it was left to Jonsson to sign off in style with a ruthless pass on Pedersen on the second lap of the final race. Jon Cook's men are through to the final four in their pursuit for success in 2008.
Related Link: Hammers move through to Cup semi-finals : Match Statistics
|