Lakeside 44 Wolves 46
Adam Skornicki re-enacted his own Groundhog Day as Wolves eased into the Elite League play-off final to face Swindon.
The popular Pole gave one of his best performances of the season at Lakeside in last year's final first-leg, when on loan at Poole.
It paved the way for the Pirates' title triumph – and Skornicki was back to plague the Hammers again.
Handed the number five role in the absence of injured skipper Peter Karlsson, he put in a tremendous night's work to the delight of the big contingent of Wolves fans on the back straight.
Some of those supporters had feared an early home onslaught on a slick track might put pressure on the Parrys International Wolves' 16-point lead from the first leg.
They were even wondering if their team might be forced to rely on the four-point bonus for finishing second in the league table.
But any concerns were laid to rest in the very first heat when Nicolai Klindt, not one of the circuit's greatest fans, leaped from the tapes. With skipper Fredrik Lindgren picking off Joonas Kylmakorpi on the second lap, Wolves landed a 5-1 from which they never looked back.
The visitors then stretched their advantage to eight points to coast into the final.
Indeed, the maximum win in heat 10 by Woffinden and Skornicki meant Wolves could have fielded no riders at all in the final five races and still won the tie by three points.
Wolves could even afford a below-par Lindgren, who with 10 points from five races is a good night for most away riders, but by the Swede's dominant standards this year it almost represented a drought.
He had a couple of good, if unsuccessful chases on a winless night but looked as if he had plenty in hand – as did the team.
Karlsson was on hand in the pits to offer support and advice and, on a night when most things Wolves touched turned to gold and black, duly won the toss of the coin for gate positions too!
The travelling support hailed every rider – but such was their positive mood that they even cheered the interval lucky number draw.
The stage is now set for the big showdown at Mon-more next Monday when Wolves face Swindon in the first of the two leg final.
