Arena Essex 62, Oxford Cheetahs 32 (Aggregate 99-87): Oxford Cheetahs were well and truly thumped as Arena Essex overturned an 18-point deficit from Wednesday's clash to gain the bonus point in last night's final match of the season at Purfleet.

Despite their bottom-of-the-table placing, the home side were in rampant form against Cheetahs.

On a disappointing evening, Cheetahs managed just two race wins and rarely caused their hosts any problems.

Hammers started proceedings with a trap to line maximum against a below-par Todd Wiltshire, before losing the services of reserve Andreas Messing.

He was taken into the fence after clipping the rear wheel of Eric Andersson, who lost his bearings in heat two.

That caused the home side to track just one rider in three races, but despite the setback, Cheetahs still struggled to make any impression.

Wiltshire was given a tactical ride in heat four, but it was Davey Watt that caught the eye with a quick exit from the gate.

He led throughout, but his teammate was unable to get into contention and finished at the back.

Trailing 25-11 after six heats, David Howe was the next to take a tactical ride against a Hammer, but again the manoeuvre floundered.

Adam Skornicki dictated the pace, but slowed on the home straight believing his partner was immediately behind.

To his horror, it was in fact Hammers' Joonas Kylmakorpi, who charged by to take victory.

The home side's fifth 5-1 of the night gave them a 20-point lead.

And although Watt gained second place when riding as a tactical substitute in heat 12 to reduce the deficit to 18 points and level the aggregate scores, Hammers finished in rousing style.

They drove home three more 5-1s that saw Mikael Max and Henning Bager both complete the meeting with paid maximums.

Oxford: Watt 13, Skornicki 6+1, Wiltshire 5+1, Howe 5+1, Tomicek 2, Andersson 1+1.

Arena Essex: Bager 16+5, Max 14+1, Johnston 12+1, Kylmakorpi 11+1, Lanham 8+2, Messing 1.