Not only did the Hammers successfully defend their 15-point lead from the first leg, they completed the double over their closest rivals to fully justify their passage through to the quarter-finals of the Knockout Cup and a match against Newcastle.

Arena captain Kelvin Tatum led the way with a faultless maximum and received solid support from fellow heat-leaders Joonas Kylmakorpi and Leigh Lanham, who also recorded 12 points including three heat wins each.

An opening race 4-2 through Tatum and Henning Bager sent the visitors off on the right note and, although they conceded the next race by a maximum, Kylmakorpi and Lee Herne restored the lead when the race was awarded after Herne was speared by home rider Scott Robson.

A series of drawn heats followed and although Kylmakorpi and Herne took a 4-2 in heat seven to extend Arena's lead to 23-19, successive 5-1s for the home side raised their hopes of a fightback and a shock success.

But the Hammers professionalism shone through with Tatum and Bager grabbing a maximum ride in heat 11 to settle any nerves and when Tatum again shot from the traps to be followed by Lanham in heat 13 and complete another maximum, the Hammers progress was already ensured.

Published Tuesday, May 27, 2003

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