Horspath Hammers were edged out 91-87 in their South and South Wales League Division 1 clash at home to Poole Comets.
Hammers, for whom 12-year-old Josh Ramshaw rode at No 1, trailed 50-39 at half-time, but could not quite complete a strong comeback.
Horspath’s Jordan Richardson and Mark Boaler enjoyed a 6-4 victory in an exciting re-run heat six, but Poole dominated the rest of the half.
Zac Payne and Boaler began the revival with a 7-3 win in heat ten.
Horspath gained another two 7-3s, plus a 6-4 in heat 16 when Richardson held off Polish international Greg Glucowsky.
A final heat 7-3 win from Wayne Hutt and Boaler left Hammers just four points short.
Horspath: (M Boaler 20+1, Z Payne 19+1, W Hutt 12+2, A Johnson 12+1, G Horsley 9+1, J Richardson 9, L Clarke 5, J Ramshaw 1) 87pts.
Poole: (A Morgan 20, G Glucowsky 15+1, L Glover 14+2, A Smith 12+2, L Arms 9+1, W Bristowe 9, C Albin 8, J Briggs 4) 91pts.
HORSPATH next host Wednesfield Aces in the Elite League on Sunday, April 27 (2).
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