Lakeside Hammers go top of the table

Lakeside Hammers are top of the Elite League table after a 19-point win over Eastbourne on Monday.

Hammers manager Jon Cook told BBC London 94.9: "It's going the right way for us at the moment.

"We're killing people off and pushing on and getting a nice score. I'm just totally delighted, absolutely delighted with the race.

"I know we can afford a few slip-ups now, and we can probably even afford one at home. The top two will do me."

Cook added: "I'm not worried if I'm first or second. In many ways I'd prefer to be second.

"I've finished top and lost a play-off. I never ever want to feel that emotion again. We'll take whatever comes, wherever we finish."

But they have two difficult meetings coming up this week.

Firstly they travel to Dorset on Wednesday to face the Poole Pirates, who they replaced at the top of the table.

Then on Saturday they take on Eastbourne again in the semi-finals of the cup.

And there will be added pressure on the Essex-based team, who might be without number one rider Andreas Jonsson, whose wife is expecting a baby this week.

But believes the cup is not a priority at the moment and the side have faced a lot of stiff competition in the league.

"We've had tough meetings all the time at the moment but I thought Eastbourne was going to be particularly tough although the scoreline may not have suggested it.

" I hope that meeting came across as a fantastic advert for this fantastic sport," he added.