Hammers break Potters.

The Arena Essex Hammers, following their home demolition of Sheffield on Friday, romped to a superb 48-44 away victory at Stoke's Loomer Road circuit on Sunday night. The Hammers led from heat two and were six points up at the interval stage after 12 of the 15 heats.

They increased that to 11 points after heat 13 when Kelvin Tatum and Joonas Kylmakorpi collected a 5-0. Home No.5 Jan Staechmann retired after shedding a chain whilst his partner, Mark Lemon, fell trying to pass the two Hammers riders.

Staechmann and Paul Pickering hauled the Potters back in to contention with an 8-1 score in the penultimate heat (Staechmann had a golden double outing off a 15 metre handicap) and they needed a 5-1 in the last to earn a draw. Staechmann led from start to finish but Pickering was passed by both Leigh Lanham and Joonas Kylmakorpi who by so doing ensured victory for Ronnie Russell's men.

The win at Stoke was a follow-up the the Friday night victory over league leaders Sheffield. The depleted Hammers became the first team to take a bonus point from the Yorkshiremen this season.

It was a magnificent display of spirit and determination from the home team, who recovered from a slowish start to turn in a finish that had the home fans leaping up and down on the terraces. With the Hammers operating rider replacement for the Joonas Kylmakorpi (unavailable) / David Ruud (injured) combination, Sheffield were pre-meeting favourites to claim both the aggregate bonus point and run the Hammers close.

This Friday's action at Purfleet sees the Hammers entertain Elite League Ipswich in the British League Cup.