A stirring performance in the latter stages of the match allowed Arena Essex to inflict a comprehensive 23-point defeat over Peterborough at the Purfleet Raceway last night.

Six consecutive race advantages that included four maximums saw the Hammers win the Elite League fixture with a 59-36 to move up to fourth position in the league table.

Mark Loram was again in imperious form producing trap to line wins in each of his five rides whilst reserve Josh Larsen recorded his first paid maximum.

The American was in sparkling form from the reserve berth to justly earn an extra ride in the nominated riders race in which he collected his fourth bonus point of the evening.

Leading by eight points after four heats, the home side were contained by the use of the tactical ride regulation in the next two heats.

Greg Walasek held off Gary Havelock in heat five to earn a shared heat but Lee Richardson claimed double points for his win in the next as the Panthers reduced the deficit to just three points with a 7-2 to post a 22-19 scoreline.

Arena countered immediately with Loram and Larsen combining for a maximum and although the brief Peterborough renaissance continued with a couple of further two-point heat advantages, that was the limit of their challenge.

Kelvin Tatum and Dean Barker sprung form the gate in heat 10 to start the Hammers bandwagon rolling whilst the scintillating Loram and Larsen pairing gathered the second of their maximum hat-tricks in heat 11 to give Arena a 41-30 lead.

Published Thursday June 10, 2004

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