David Norris got his comeback off to a flying start last night.

But it was not enough to save Eastbourne Eagles from a heavy defeat in their first run out of the year.

Norris, looking to get back to his best after a 2005 campaign wrecked by injury and illness, won the first heat in the Spring Cup challenge meeting at Arena-Essex.

But it was all downhill from then on for Eagles, who have a 57-37 deficit to make up when the second leg is staged at Arlington tonight (7.30pm).

The Hammers posted 4-2s in the next four heats, with Brent Werner, Adam Shields, Nicki Pedersen and Norris claiming second places for the visitors.

Shields and Norris later took second when riding for double points.

But Eagles, with Pedersen in subdued form, were always some way adrift.

Andreas Jonsson and Joonas Kylmakorpi had a 5-1 in heat 13 over Norris and Pedersen to confirm the Hammers' superiority on the night.

Brent Werner offered the visitors some hope with two wins and was given the nod for heat 15.

Teenager Lewis Bridger picked up his first point for the Eagles and generally looked to be close to the pace in a tough debut.

Former Eagle Paul Hurry, a very handy man to have at reserve, dropped just two points for the hosts, who looked to be in good form ahead of the Elite League campaign.

Interest in the new season was underlined when Eagles' on-line results service became over-loaded, meaning frustration for fans hoping to follow the scores on the internet.

Arena-Essex: Hurry 12+1 (5), Jonsson 12 (5), Kylmakorpi 11+2 (5), Bager 8+3 (4), Lanham 8 (4), Johnston 5 +1 (4), Romanek 1 (3)

Eagles: Norris 9+2 (4), Shields 9 (5), Werner 9 (5), Pedersen 6 (4), Barker 2+1 (4), Moore 1+1 (4), Bridger 1 (4).