Arena Essex completed their three-match tour of Scotland and the Border country with a visit to Ashfield Stadium, Glasgow.

But they were unable to make it third time lucky as they slipped to their third defeat in as many days with a 48-42 reverse.

This was the closest of the three fixtures with the Hammers still holding a chance of rounding off a disappointing tour with a point going into the final heat.

But the necessary 5-1 failed to materialise with Joonas Kylmakorpi dropping his first points of the match when James Grieves swept into an early lead to deny the Hammers rider, while Kelvin Tatum was forced to retire from the race with further carburettor problems.

Tatum opened the match with a fine winand followed with another success and a couple of second places, but was twice forced onto the centre-green with electrical problems.

Lanham also collected two victories but was forced to switch bikes when his exhaust came away and a stud damaged his engine.

There were also problems for Henning Bager, who blew a clutch, and Lee Herne, who wrecked an engine.

Jason King took only one ride after being forced through the fence when home rider David McAllan locked-up in front of him.

The teenager suffered from damaged ribs and bruising which prevented him from taking any further part in the meeting.

That left Kylmakorpi to steal the thunder once again as he raced to a 17 points haul at a track which he was seeing for the first time.

So impressed were the home side that they insisted he took part, with the victorious Glasgow septet, on the victory parade after the meeting.

Published Tuesday, June 3, 2003

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