Eastbourne Eagles are off to a flyer in the new Elite League season.

Eagles thumped Peterborough Panthers 59-35 at Arlington in the first league meeting anywhere this year, helped by four wins from four by skipper Lee Richardson.

Scott Nicholls was paid for 13 points and Lewis Bridger had paid-11, earning a call into the nominated race.

The contest was more or leess over by the time Eagles led 32-20 after eight heats of a rain-affected tussle.

By that time Panthers had sent out Kenneth Bjerre as a nominated rider and Hans Andersen as a tactical substitute.

Both star Danes had to settle for second place in their double-points rides.

The result leaves Eastbourne in great heart for their tough-looking trip to champions Coventry on Monday.