Peterborough Panthers Assistant Team Boss Wayne Swales would probably be the happier of the two managers following Panthers narrow 52-43 defeat at Belle Vue on Monday evening.
Manchester has never been one of Panthers happier hunting grounds over the years but after Jesper B Jensen aggravated an ankle on the pre-meeting parade lap, which resulted in his withdrawal from the meeting, it looked like it could well be one of those nights. Rider-replacement was used as cover in his absence and at 32-16 to the Aces after 8 heats, a hiding of considerable proportions looked on the cards.
Panthers dug deep however to only lose by a mere 9 points and give themselves every chance of the bonus point on Thursday 22nd July at 7.30pm when the clubs meet in the return fixture.
Hans Andersen rode consistently rather than spectacularly for his 14 point haul, whilst after a poor start Ryan Sullivan recorded one of his best scores in a Panthers race-jacket at Kirkmanshulme Lane as he notched paid 13 including a 4 for a tactical ride when he followed home Simon Stead in heat 12. Niels Kristian Iversen collected a maximum six points from his tactical ride in heat 9 as Panthers comeback began but would possibly be disappointed with his final tally of 9+1.
There was also a useful reserve contribution once again from Richard Hall with 5 points but little offered from either Ulrich Ostergaard or Jon Armstrong to really trouble the hosts for the meeting spoils.
For Belle Vue, Jason Crump looked unbeatable until heat 13 when Hans and Ryan headed him home for a shock 5-1. Other than that he was untroubled by a Panther. Simon Stead was good value for his 11 points from 4 rides but the real star for the Aces was former Premier League racer Phil Morris who notched paid 13 from 6 six rides.
Away wins will be vital to Panthers over the coming weeks if they are to sustain their lofty position in the Sky Sports Elite League but on the second half showing in this meeting, it’s clear there is plenty more to come from the team in the remaining months of the season. Ipswich is the next away trip on the agenda for Panthers this Thursday 8th June at 7.30pm.
BELLE VUE 52 1. Kenneth Bjerre 2 3 1 0 0 =6 2. Joe Screen 1* 1 2* 0 =4+2 3. Simon Stead 3 3 2 3 =11 4. Tom P Madsen 2* exct 1* 3 =6+2 5. Jason Crump 3 3 3 1 3 =13 6. Phil Morris 3 1 2* 3 0 2* =11+2 7. Tommy Allen 0 fexc 1 =1
PETERBOROUGH 43 1. Hans Andersen 3 2 2 2 3 2 =14 2. Ulrich Ostergaard 0 1* 0 0 1* 3. Ryan Sullivan 1 0 3 4^ 2* 1* =11+2 4. Niels K Iversen 0 1 6^ 2* fexc =9+1 5. Jesper B Jensen r/r (UO-1 -HA-2 -NI-6- RS-2 =11) 6. Richard Hall 2 2 r 0 1 =5 7. Jon Armstrong 1* exct 1 0 =2+1
