The Hammers will have a 23-point lead to defend in the return leg at Brandon

Lakeside Hammers stole the advantage after beating Coventry Bees 59-36 in the first leg of the Knockout Cup at the Arena Essex Raceway.

The Hammers won 12 of Wednesday night's 15 races, six of them 5-1.

Adam Shields (14+1 points) ended the night unbeaten by an opponent, while team-mate Lee Richardson posted 13+1.

Edward Kennett top scored for the Bees with 12 points, while Ben Barker was only the other rider to put in a decent performance, scoring 11 points.

Lakeside began the meeting in commanding style, taking five heat wins from the first six races.

The Bees hit back with two tactical rides to leave just seven points between the two sides after 10 heats.

Jon Cook's side then put the pressure on by racking up fours consecutive 5-1's in the last four heats.

But Barker insists that the second leg on Friday week at Brandon (23 October) is no foregone conclusion.

"It is not over yet," said Barker. "We will hammer them by 40 points".

Bees captain Chris Harris and Olly Allen both turned in a rare below-par performance, both scoring just two points.

But joint manager Peter Oakes says that credit must be paid to the Hammers.

"I cannot remember a worse score from Chris Harris in his whole career," said Oakes.

"They were just far better than us. We just had too many poor performances.

"But we must now focus on that return leg.

"We have to win by 24 points, simple as that. There is nothing else we can do."

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