HORSPATH Hammers began their competitive season in style with a thrilling victory when they hosted Poole and Newport in the three-team Spring Cup.

Hammers triumphed by just one point.

Despite trailing by four going in to the last two races, Horspath held the upper hand as they were competing in both.

In the penultimate heat, the hosts’ Will Jeffery and Andy Johnson lined up against Newport’s former Hammer, Mark Carmichael, and Joe Lewis.

Jeffery launched from the tapes and was met at the first corner by Carmichael.

With elbows exchanged in the fight for track position, Jeffery held on for victory, with Carmichael and Lewis sitting in second and third.

This set up the last-heat decider between Horspath’s Zac Payne and Dave Liebermann against Poole’s Ben Tinsdale and Macie Schmidt.

Payne shot from the tapes to claim the win followed by Tinsdale and Schmidt.

Liebermann settled for the point knowing that would get the job done.

Final scores: Horspath 92, Poole 91, Newport 79.

Horspath points: Z Payne 20+3 (bonus), W Jeffery 21+1, J Neighbour 16+1, D Liebermann 15, A Johnson 10, J Ellis 9, R Loveridge 1.