CAPTAIN Ulrich Ostergaard played a starring role as Peterborough snatched what could prove to be a vital Premier League Cup point last night.
The Danish ace combined with countryman Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen to secure a final-heat 4-2 for the ‘T Balfe Construction’ Panthers in a 48-42 loss at East Anglian rivals Ipswich.
Peterborough were behind for almost the entirety of the Midland Group clash at Foxhall, but they kept themselves in close enough proximity of the hosts to ensure they didn’t depart empty-handed.
Temporary team boss Dale Allitt said: “First and foremost, it was a massive improvement on the results we had at Ipswich last season.
“We were always trying to hang onto the coat-tails of the Witches hroughout the meeting. We weren’t quite good enough to get the win, but we still came out of it with a point.
“Ulrich and Nikolaj showed a lot of character and class to get an advantage in the last race which was a tough task against riders of the calibre of Danny King and Lewis Kerr.”
Ostergaard was the most prolific Peterborough man on show with a dozen points - a tally started by a second place when on the receiving end of a 4-2 in the opener.
Peterborough did briefly hit the front when reserves Tom Perry and Emil Grondal teamed up for a 5-1 in heat two, but they were back behind again as the Witches claimed a maximum of their own in the next instalment.
However, the teams remained close throughout with the hosts’ advantage growing to a maximum of eight points as they clinched victory courtesy of a Morten Risager-inspired 4-2 in the penultimate race.
But Panthers responded well as Ostergaard and Busk Jakobsen combined to ensure they pocketed a point which keeps up the pressure on group leaders Sheffield. They now trail the Tigers by one point having ridden one more meeting.
Allitt added: “Reaching the latter stages is not in our hands, but we still have a fighting chance of getting through.
“Ipswich are the sort of team who will get better and better, and it won’t be easy for Sheffield to face them twice.”
Panthers must wait until the middle of next month to complete their League Cup fixtures with a home date against Ipswich.
Now they turn their attention to the start of their Premier League challenge when visiting Rye House tomorrow (April 16).
SCORES
IPSWICH: Danny King 14, Lewis Kerr 11, Nico Covatti 8, Morten Risager 7+2, James Sarjeant 6, Paco Castagna 1, Darryl Ritchings 1.
PETERBOROUGH ‘T BALFE CONSTRUCTION’ PANTHERS: Ulrich Ostergaard 12, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen 9, Nicklas Porsing 7, Tom Perry 5+2, Emil Grondal 3+2, Michael Palm Toft 3, Simon Lambert 3.
