Horspath Hammers maintained their flying start to the season after a fine 95-84 win over the Southampton Saints.

The result means Hammers stay top of the South West region table with a 100 per cent record.

Despite Saints’ clever use of the tactical substitution rule, led by their British Champion Gav Wheeler, Horspath youngster Mark Carmichael led the way, dropping just one point.

However, he received good support throughout the team.

Mark Boaler dropped his first points of the season at home when he fell, while Matt Coulter registered his best Division 1 tally thus far.

Horspath scorers: J Wyatt 9+1, W Hutt 15+2, S Harris 12, R Edge 6+1, M Coulter 10+3, D Carmichael 14, M Boaler 13, MCarmichael 16+3.

Hammers won the Conference match 82-68, with two of their very young riders stealing the show.

Jordan Richardson, 11, dropped only two points in five outings, while nine-year-old George Horsley also got a big score.

Jack Smith, who was returning from injury, had a fine match.

Horspath scorers: R Edge 12+3, J Richardson 16+2, M Coulter 10, G Horsley 14+2, J Smith 17, B Green 5, C Cooper 3, J Currell 2.

HORSPATH missed out on a place in the final of the British Under 19 Team Championship, finishing seventh in a high-class semi-final field at Hull.

Despite a number of fine rides from Mark Carmichael, Horspath collected 33 points for their efforts – Carmichael scoring 15 of them.

Joe Wyatt, Matt Coulter and Jack Smith made up the Horspath team.

HORSPATH face a tough trip to Sheffield tomorrow in the British Premier League.

The Stars are virtually unbeatable at home and boast a number of international riders.

Making it even harder, Horspath are without Marcin Skowronek and are waiting on Mike Morgans, who injured his back in the last match.

A fixture change sees Horspath’s attractive South West League home match against champions Poole moved to Monday, May 25 (2).