PATCHED-UP Coventry experienced a night to forget as they suffered a 57-35 defeat against Lakeside at the Arena-Essex Raceway.
The Buildbase Bees were heavily depleted and were well-beaten by a play-off chasing Hammers side with a superb home record.
No.1 Krzysztof Kasprzak was missing due to a Speedway Euro Championship meeting, whilst Kacper Woryna (injury) and Josh Bates (illness) also missed out.
Without star man Kasprzak, and with no facility permitted to cover his absence, they recorded just three race wins and lacked firepower.
Two of those victories came courtesy of reserve James Sarjeant, who took the chequered flag in heats two and 12 – and he was pleased with a positive individual performance.
“The track was hard, but it’s the best I’ve ridden here so I enjoyed my racing,†said Sarjeant.
“I was unlucky in a few and I could have come away with a few more points, but I’m still happy with today. At least I can come here next year and be a lot more confident.â€
Jason Garrity top scored for the visitors with 11 points, including a second place finish behind the unbeaten Edward Kennett as he took Coventry’s tactical ride in heat nine.
British Champion Danny King delivered their third race win as he triumphed in the penultimate race having endured a mixed evening.
But skipper Chris Harris and guesting No.1 Robert Branford struggled in the heat-leader positions on a difficult night.
Gary Havelock’s side will look to bounce back and gain revenge when they host Lakeside in the swiftly re-arranged return fixture at Brandon on Friday (7.30).
LAKESIDE 57: Kim Nilsson 12+3, Andreas Jonsson 12, Edward Kennett 11+1, Lewis Bridger 10+1, Robert Mear 6, Richard Lawson 5+1, Lewis Kerr 1+1. COVENTRY 35: Jason Garrity 11, Danny King 9, James Sarjeant 8, Ellis Perks 3+2, Chris Harris 3+1, Robert Branford 1+1, Kacper Woryna R/R.
