THE Lakeside Hammers face a busy week with three meetings in the space of just over 24 hours.

The Hammers warmed up for those fixtures with a resounding win over the Elite League title favourites, the Poole Pirates, in their opening home match of the season last Friday at their Arena Essex Raceway.

The Hammers started the year with a promising performance down in Dorset on Wednesday although they eventually were defeated by the strong looking Pirates despite holding them at 21 points apiece after the seven heats.

They let things slip a little in heats eight to 11 before getting back in the groove in the final four heats, but it was too late as they slipped to a 53-37 defeat.

Then, on Friday, it was the turn of Poole to visit the Arena Essex Raceway. From the opening heat when Andreas Jonsson came from the back to claim the win the Hammers showed the Pirates a clean pair of heals. It was a performance that delighted the Hammers fans especially as Poole appear to be one of the strongest sides in the League this year. The Hammers didn't have it all their own way as they repeatedly needed to find their way through from the back and despite the Pirates claiming an 8-1 in heat 11 the Hammers pulled away for a clear 13 point victory as they edged the meeting 53-40.

Friday's win was ideal preparation for this week's busy timetable of racing. On Thursday the Hammers visit the East of England Showground to take on the Peterborough Panthers in a Craven Shield match. Then, on Good Friday, the team face two more Craven Shield fixtures against the Ipswich Witches - starting down at the Foxhall Stadium Ipswich at 2.30pm before the trip back up the A12 to the Arena Essex Raceway for the 8pm start against the Witches. Traditionally these Good Friday matches bring in large crowds and the Hammers promotional duo of Stuart Douglas and Jon Cook are hoping that this Friday's match will continue that trend.

Hammers co-promoter and team manager Jon Cook was in good spirits after the win over the Pirates. He said: "I was pleased with the performance of the side and it shows that we are a team that should be up there fighting for the title towards the end of the summer.

"The lads all put in good rides against Poole, who are the bookies favourites to take the title. Andreas (Jonsson) was superb but I was particularly pleased for Joonas (Kylmakorpi) who has come back well after his injury problems last year. Based on his performances in the two matches against the Pirates I have, therefore, decided to change the rider order for our three matches this week by moving Joonas to the more difficult number five position."

Hammers fans are urged to turn up at the Arena Essex Raceway as early as possible on Friday evening as a large crowd is anticipated. Although the main match against Ipswich doesn't start until 8pm there will be a series of junior races commencing at 6.45pm for those able to arrive early.