Last Friday saw a gripping encounter, that had the Racers holding a one point lead after heat 10 but four heat advantages from the last five heats saw the home side claim a margin of victory that belied the parity of the two teams.

Despite providing only three heat winners, such as the all round compactness of the Reading performance that they pushed the home side throughout the meeting and at one stage held realistic victory chances themselves.

Racing was keenly fought and the crowd were treated to some splendid action with both teams playing their part in an entertaining meeting.

Petri Kokko impressed when he beat Lanham in heat 6 as he turned hard on the first bend to set up anl advantage and earn his side a 19-17 lead but his later exclusion from heat 13 cost the Racers dear as Arena enhanced their hopes of victory.

Colin White led the Hammers victory charge playing a captain's part as he raced to a five ride maximum while Arena were also well served by guest Graeme Gordon who won three of his four races.

He was only denied his maximum when he shed a chain while well in front in heat 9.

Reading enjoyed a couple of pieces of good fortune. Leigh Lanham slid off when challenging Dave Mullett in the opener, providing Justin Elkins with second place.

Paul Clews was awarded second place after he had tangled with Arena's Matt Read when the pair met the pits bend together on the second lap of heat 8, with the Racer appearing surprised that he had not been excluded.

The resultant 5-0 gave the visitors a 5 point lead but that was the end of their good luck as the home side fought their way back in the second half of the meeting to run out deserved winners.

Events were finely balanced as the Hammers went to the line for heat 13 with the score in their favour at 36-35 but a bizarre decision by referee Chris Gay left Reading amazed and Arena grateful.

Petri Kokko was excluded for touching the tapes - no question there - and was replaced by reserve Clews but with Mullett and Lanham enjoying a great scrap for second behind Colin White.

Lanham hit the deck as he attempted to switch back inside Mullett on the third bend.

Mr Gay stopped the race with Lanham lying on the track and ordered a restart with all four riders.

The limping Lanham eventually was able to rise and after some delay, took the honours in the re-run with a trap to line success with White in second as Arena took a 41-36 lead.

Arena followed up with another 5-1 in the next, Corbett winning comfortably while Lobb denied the endeavours of Norris who hunted up Lobb throughout the four laps.

Needing to win by 11 points to claim the bonus point, Arena saw Mullett lead the final race around the first two turns but White forced his way past on the inside.

Kokko then moved past his colleague but a fine surge around the outside by Lanham on the second lap saw him overhaul Mullett to grab the vital point.

The win and bonus point means that Arena join Newport at the top of their group in the Premier National Trophy.

Scorers (for Arena Essex): L. Lanham 9+1, J Wainwright 2+1, G Gordon 9, R Lobb 5+1, C White 15, G Corbett 8, M Read 2. (for Reading): D Mullett 8, J Elkins 6+2, P Morris 6, M Norris 3+1, P Kokko 0, S Colvin 3+1, P Clews 4+3.

The next speedway is at Arena on June 4 when Sheffield are the visitors for a Premier League fixture.

Arena Essex's Colin White and Leigh Lanham lead Reading's Dave Mullett and Petru Kokko to a 5-1 race win during Arean Essex's 50-39 win on Friday.

Picture by MATT SPRAKE./I>

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.