Arena Essex were in action at Poole last night and so nearly pulled off a shock victory against a side that had not been beaten on their own Wimborne Road circuit since the second meeting of 2003.

The Hammers led the meeting 31-35 but the regarding of the track after 11 races proved their undoing as the Pirates slammed in a 5-1 in a heat 11 maximum to level the scores.

Mark Loram, previously unbeaten in his three previous rides was then outgated by Ryan Sullivan and was unable to peg back the Australian whilst Kelvin Tatum was unable to make any impression and trailed home in last place.

But Arena hit back with a 4-2 through the impressive Greg Walasek who revelled on his return to his former track.

The Polish rider reeled off four heat wins including the penultimate race and with Paul Hurry taking third, the Hammers were back on level terms at 42 apiece with one heat to go although already assured of the bonus point.

But having crucially lost the toss for gate positions, the visitors pairing of Loram and Walasek were denied room at the first turn as the home pairing of Sullivan and Bjarne Pedersen stormed home to give the Pirates the two league points.

Published Tuesday June 8, 2004

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