HORSPATH Hammers went top of the BCTG Elite League after inflicting a first defeat of the season on leaders Birmingham Monarchs with a 92-86 victory.

Hammers' success was more comfortable than the final score indicates as they gave away two 7-3 heat advantages in the final two races.

They opened in impressive fashion by notching three 6-4s and a 7-3 in the first five races, And two further 7-3s either side of half-time left them cruising to the final heats.

Shaun Rudman and Mark Carmichael led the way with seven heat wins between them.

Horspath scorers: S Rudman 18, M Carmichael 17, S Harris 15, L Osborne 12+1, L Bates 9+1, M Boaler 8+1, C Osborne 7+1, M Szymczak 6+1, S Harris 15 Lewis Osborne 12+1.

Horspath’s Combination side made it six wins out of six with an 82-48 success over Birmingham. Zac Payne top-scored with 14+2, while young George Horsley, on his first Combination outing of the season, shone with 14+1.

Horspath scorers: Z Payne 14+2, G Horsley14+,1, L Clarke 10+1, W Clarke 10+1, S Munden 10, E Thaw 9+2, R Harrison 8+2, M Burgess 7+2.

Horspath stage the Home Internationals today with six riders from the club in action.

In the senior competition (1pm), Rudman and Lewis Osborne fly the flag for England, while Mark Carmichael and Dave Carmichael represent Wales and Wayne Clarke rides for Ireland.

The junior event which sees Horspath’s Lee Clarke in action for Ireland.

Tomorrow, Horspath are at home to East Newport in a South & South Wales Division 1 match (2pm).