Eastbourne Eagles returned to the track after an emotional week to seal a home 51-39 victory in the Elite League against Swindon Robins.
It was the Eagles’ first meet following the death of the their former number-one rider Lee Richardson and Arlington Stadium observed a minutes silence before the action got underway.
Scott Nicholls was guest rider and he impressed from the first heat and went on to claim 11 points for his ex-club. But most impressive was the speed and skill shown by Timo Lahti who weighed in with a superb 15 points.
The Eagles took the lead in the third heat and never looked back. Swindon never gave up and offered dogged resistance and ahead of heat 13 trailed by just four points at 38-34.
But a storming finish saw the Eagles pull away and fittingly Lahti took the final race leading from start to finish to seal a 12 point triumph.
During the interval the riders held a collection for Lee Richardson’s family.
See Wednesday Gazette for full match report and pictures
Eastbourne Eagles = 51
1. Scott Nicholls (G) 2 2 2 3 2’
2. Lukas Dryml 0 0 2 Xt
3. Simon Gustafsson 1’ 3 3 1
4. Cameron Woodward 2 2’ 1 2’
5. Lewis Bridger 3 2 X 0
6. Denis Gizatullin 1’ 0 2
7. Timo Lahti 2 2’ 1’ 1’ 3 3 3
Swindon Robins = 39
1. Hans Andersen 3 1 3 2 1
2. Simon Stead 1 0 0
3. Nick Morris 0 3 0 2
4. Jason Doyle 3 1 3 0 0
5. Troy Batchelor 1 1 2 1’
6. Peter Kildemand 3 3 3 Xt F 1
7. Kyle Newman (G) F 0 0 1
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