Eagles cruise into semi-finals (From The Argus)

Eagles cruise into semi-finals

9:30am Tuesday 26th July 2011 in Eagles news

Eastbourne will get their chance of Knockout Cup revenge against South Coast rivals Poole after easing into the semi-final last night.

They rarely looked in any danger of relinquishing their ten-point advantage from the Arlington leg as they completed a 95-85 aggregate win and now face the Pirates, their conquerors in last year’s final.

Brilliantly spearheaded by Monmore specialist Joonas Kylmakorpi, who produced some stunning passing and whose sole mistake was charging through the tapes in the final heat, the Eagles gave a copybook display of how to protect a lead.

Struggling Finn Timo Lahti was the only visitor to run a last place in the first six heats.

Even the injury-enforced absence of Simon Gustafsson proved no handicap as Cameron Woodward shouldered extra rides to post paid 11 from his seven starts.

Wolves gradually levered themselves a six-point lead on the night but Kylmakorpi and Woodward combined for a crucial heat 12 5-1 which all but snuffed out the home challenge.

Eastbourne led by two going into the last and looked set to finish in style when Bjarne Pedersen flew between Peter Karlsson and Freddie Lindgren on the back straight.

Lindgren rode a blinding final lap to overhaul his rival and cement a 15-point maximum – but Eastbourne won't be losing sleep over that.

Wolves: Freddie Lindgren 15, Peter Karlsson 10, Ricky Wells 5, Ty Proctor 4, Ludvig Lindgren 4, Tyson Burmeister 4, Tai Woffinden 3.

Eastbourne: Joonas Kylmakorpi 11, Lukas Dryml 11, Cameron Woodward 8, Lewis Bridger 8, Bjarne Pedersen 7, Timo Lahti 0.