Lakeside set up Poole final

Swindon and Ipswich blown away in Elite League semi-finals

Last updated: 1st October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Lakeside set up Poole final

Andreas Jonsson: Maximum man (Pic credit Les Aubrey)

Our boys have really risen to the occasion tonight, they came in really pumped up. I'm really proud of everyone.

Stuart Douglas
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Lakeside Hammers and Poole Pirates will meet in the Elite League Grand Final after both sides recorded dominating wins on Monday evening.

The Hammers crushed Swindon Robins 56-33 in their semi-final, while the Pirates notched a 59-33 success over Ipswich Witches.

Both semi-finals were one-sided affairs as the top two teams in the Elite League regular season standings produced classy displays on home soil.

The result at Wimbourne Road was never in doubt after the Pirates opened a 10-2 lead from the opening two heats, courtesy of wins for Chris Holder and Daniel Davidsson.

Holder enjoyed a superb evening with a 13-point haul, including three heat wins. He was well supported by Bjarne Pedersen (13+1) and Davey Watt (11), both of whom also notched three victories.

"All of my boys have performed well tonight...Lakeside will have to perform well in the final," said Poole manager Neil Middleditch.

"We have to go there and keep things tight and then come back here and seal things with a home win."

Flawless Jonsson

The Hammers were just as impressive at the Purfleet Raceway, led by Andreas Jonsson's five wins out of five.

Jonsson's 15-point display was backed up by Thomas Jedrzejak (12+3) and Leigh Lanham (10+2).

The one sour note for the Hammers came in heat 12 when Kauko Nieminen took a tumble while running last and suffered a suspected broken collarbone.

Leigh Adams (14) and Travis McGowan (13+1) battled hard for the Robins but got little support from their team-mates.

"It was on the cards to be a very tough meeting tonight," said Lakeside co-promoter Stuart Douglas.

"I think Swindon have had a little bit of poor luck - they are a very good team.

"Our boys have really risen to the occasion tonight, they came in really pumped up. I'm really proud of everyone."

The first leg of the Grand Final takes place on October 6 at the Purfleet Raceway, with the decisive second leg at Wimbourne Road on October 13.

The evening's other meeting between Belle Vue and Coventry was postponed.