COVENTRY put in another dominant Brandon display to dent Lakeside’s play-off hopes with an emphatic 57-33 win over the Hammers.
British Under-21 Josh Bates again starred with a best-yet 14 (paid 16) at reserve and Jason Garrity was also in spectacular form with four race wins as the Buildbase Bees dominated.
The home side were without skipper Chris Harris due to Saturday’s Grand Prix of Poland, but his team-mates collected a total of ten points from his four rides in a strong all-round display.
Lakeside, meanwhile, were well served by former Bees man Edward Kennett who put in bags of effort on his way to paid-10, but they rarely threatened to take the league point they required in order to put pressure on Swindon in the race for the top four.
The scores were tied after two races, Bees hampered by a Heat 1 last place from Krzysztof Kasprzak and a tapes offence from James Sarjeant in Heat 2 which saw him handicapped, but they quickly took control.
Kasprzak recovered to partner Danny King to a 5-1 in Heat 3, King quickly passing Kim Nilsson, and Sarjeant also hit back well to join Kacper Woryna for maximum points in Heat 4.
Kennett stemmed the tide with a race win for the Hammers in Heat 5 and repeated the feat in Heat 8 at a stage when the visitors were ten points behind, but they neglected to use the double-points tactical ride in that race.
By the time they made their move they were 14 points down courtesy of a Garrity/Bates 5-1 in Heat 9 with Garrity producing a spectacular swoop off turn two to hit the front.
And the tactical was destined to fail as guest Scott Nicholls was handed the responsibility but was unable to score as the hugely impressive Bates took the race led, and although the ever-trying Kennett overhauled King off turn four, Bates held his nerve to take the win.
Bates was also on-song when he did not make the start, as shown by his excellent ride in Heat 12 to pas first Lewis Kerr and then Robert Mear to team up with Sarjeant for another 5-1.
Nicholls managed to split Kasprzak and King in Heat 13 but the Bees were 51-27 up, with the final two races shared as the Hammers avoided further damage.
King and Woryna both overtook Bridger to prevent a Lakeside 5-1 in Heat 14 as Kim Nilsson took the win, and Nicholls collected a victory in Heat 15 despite the considerable efforts of Bates and Garrity, who also kept Kennett at the back.
Bates said: “I wasn’t making good starts tonight, but the engine I’ve got from Brian Karger is working really well around here at the moment.
“I’m happy to get double figures again especially as it’s my last meeting at home, but I really want to be back here next year – we’ll have to see what Mick Horton says!
“This has been the best Elite League club I’ve ridden for, everyone in the club has been good and I’ve really enjoyed the season.â€
ELITE LEAGUE COVENTRY 57: Josh Bates 14+2, Jason Garrity 13, Krzysztof Kasprzak 9+1, Danny King 9+1, James Sarjeant 7+1, Kacper Woryna 5+2, Chris Harris r/r LAKESIDE 33: Edward Kennett 9+1, Scott Nicholls 9, Kim Nilsson 7, Lewis Bridger 3+1, Robert Mear 3+1, Lewis Kerr 2, Richard Lawson r/r Elite League points: Coventry 3 Lakeside 0
