THE Buildbase Bees were unable to storm Fortress Purfleet on Wednesday evening with the Hammers maintaining their 100 per cent home record with a 19-point win.

The destination of the Elite League points was never seriously in doubt as the home side made a blistering start, leaving Bees looking to hold a respectable position.

They were 14-4 down after just three heats, not helped by misfortune for Billy Janniro when he was holding second place in Heat 3, and the American struggled thereafter with a shoulder injury sustained in his home country over the weekend.

Bees had already been forced into a pre-meeting chance with Lakeside asset Andreas Messing ruled out with food poisoning, 17-year-old club asset Josh Auty stepping in.

Not surprisingly he found the going tough in the top-flight, but it was another young asset in Ben Barker who again stepped up his game, and he along with Rory Schlein gave the Bees some bright moments.

Schlein was the Bees' first race winner in Heat 4 and added a tactical ride success in Heat 9, whilst Barker impressed by winning Heat 8 and then excelled himself by defeating Hammers skipper Adam Shields in Heat 12.

Neither Chris Harris nor Simon Stead were able to get into their stride around the tight Purfleet circuit, although Olly Allen was worth more than his score suggested, and Bees did peg the home side's lead to 15 points before conceding two late 4-2s.

The second of those came in the last race of the night which saw Coventry asset Andreas Jonsson wrap up another home maximum with a fine last-lap pass on Schlein.

Bees boss Peter Oakes said: "Once again it was the inconsistency which let us down, and we've really got to get that sorted out.

"Rory rode well, and Ben was very impressive again - he's come on a great deal in the last few weeks and of course we hope that continues."

LAKESIDE 56: Andreas Jonsson 15, Adam Shields 11, Ricky Kling 7+2, Lubos Tomicek 7, Leigh Lanham 6+3, Jonas Davidsson 6+1, Joonas Kylmakorpi 4+1.

BUILDBASE BEES 37: Rory Schlein 15, Ben Barker 9, Chris Harris 4+1, Olly Allen 4, Simon Stead 4, Billy Janniro 1, Josh Auty 0