Wolves roar back to top at Lakeside

The Hammers enjoyed a one-off sponsorship with the Royal Navy for the clash – but they were the ones sunk as Wolves roared in with all guns blazing.

Peter Adams' side ripped three precious points from Lakeside and took their unbeaten home league record too.

For the second match running, Fredrik Lindgren had to yield the headlines to double-up reserve Ty Proctor.

The Swede again led from the front and rubbed in Wolves' superiority, when flashing round Lee Richardson in the last heat.

Lindgren and skipper Peter Karlsson, knowing Lakeside needed a 5-1 to snatch a draw, initially filled the minor placings with Adam Shields at the back.

But Lindgren is a pure racer and wound on the throttle, to go the long way round and take the chequered flag.

Adam Skornicki had nearly sealed the win the race before, only to lose his lead to a last-lap charge by Jonas Davidsson.

Yet it was Proctor, having impressed on the circuit last year when riding at number eight for Peterborough, who emerged as the key figure.

His fast and assured paid 14 meant the Parrys International Wolves always had the whip hand.

Although Jesper Kristiansen was forced to withdraw after picking up a leg injury, leaving Wolves with just three riders in one heat.

His absence gave Proctor full rein to take the maximum seven outings.

The Aussie was out five times in the first eight races, enabling Wolves to get a four-point advantage.

Nicolai Klindt, after a harsh first-ride exclusion for moving at the start, was his customary ebullient self after track work helped the outside line to kick in and was unbeaten in his final two outings.

Just when the home side looked to be hitting back, up popped Tai Woffinden with the ride of the night.

Richardson and Kauko Nieminen were sitting on a solid 5-1 in heat 10, which would have put their side back in front.

But they reckoned without the 18-year-old, who attempted an audacious burst between the pair on lap two, was beaten off but then repeated it successfully a lap later to take the win.

It gave Wolves added momentum and from that point on they looked the only winners.

Wolves, having gone into this match and the trip to Peterborough looking for at least a point from each, are already on the credit side of the ledger.

They are without the inspirational Proctor at Alwalton – his Premier League commitments with Redcar take priority – but remain full of confidence for a daunting fixture.

Lakeside: Adam Shields 10, Lee Richardson 9+1, Jonas Davidsson 9+1, Kauko Nieminen 5, Joonas Kylmakorpi 4, Phil Morris 4, Stuart Robson 1+1.

Wolves: Ty Proctor 12+2, Fredrik Lindgren 12+1, Peter Karlsson 9+1, Tai Woffinden 7+1, Nicolai Klindt 4+2, Adam Skornicki 4, Jesper Kristiansen 0.