Arena Essex 58
Reading Bulldogs 33
(Elite League A)

HAMMERS made it four home Elite League wins from four with a convincing 58-33 result over Reading Bulldogs on Friday.

The hosts made their intentions clear from the first heat with a 5-1 return and never looked like letting their lead slip, eventually triumphing by 25 points.

Joonas Kylmakorpi led the way by winning four out of his five races and claiming 14 points. He was well supported by Henning Bager and Leigh Lanham, who notched 11 and ten respectively.

Reading, who currently sit a point off the lead in the Elite League, had no answer to Arena's power and the final scoreline reflected a one-sided encounter.

Hammers' David Norris set the ball rolling by winning the opening heat, and by heat three, in which Steve Johnston and Lanham took the flag for a 5-1, they had already built a 13-5 lead.

More strong riding throughout the meet, with Norris (nine), captain Johnston (eight) and Paul Hurry (six) all playing their part, meant Reading were never able to gain a foothold.

Travis McGowan was Reading's best performer with ten points to his name, while Janusz Kolodziej looked impressive on his first ride at the Arena Essex raceway, but their efforts were to count for little as the Hammers inflicted the fourth defeat of the campaign on Reading.

Hammers are back in action on Monday when they travel to Reading for the return fixture, and are in Thurrock on Wednesday, April 10 to face Wolverhampton.