Panthers hold on to victory

Bjerre stays cool in final heat as Poole charge falls short

Last updated: 21st July 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Panthers hold on to victory

Bjerre in action (Image credit Les Aubrey)

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Peterborough Panthers held off a late challenge from Elite League leaders Poole Pirates to take an exciting 49-44 victory in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The hosts had compiled a comfortable lead at the East of England showground but Chris Holder took a double-points victory to leave the Pirates in with a chance heading into the final heat.

But Panthers star Kenneth Bjerre took a cool and assured victory in the night's finale to secure the win, although Holder took second to ensure Poole took a point away from the contest.

With the scores tied at 9-9, the turning point came in the fourth heat as the hosts took a 5-1 haul to move into a four-point lead.

The advantage was extended in heat seven when Bjerre took victory while Krzysztof Buczkowski held onto third to make the score 21-15.

Chance

The Pirates had the opportunity to get back into the clash as Darcy Ward triumphed in heat eight but Jason Doyle was passed by Buczkowski and Norbert Kosciuch as a 5-1 chance was squandered.

Worse was to follow as Danny Watt was given a 15-metre penalty at the start of heat nine, with Rory Schlein and Niels Kristian Iversen pouncing to make it 23-22.

After a short delay due to a mechanic being taken ill, Bjerre made a remarkable move on Bjarne Pedersen to win heat 10 from the disadvantaged gate four.

But British Grand Prix winner Holder then tightened things when he duly crossed the line first in heat 11 after being elected for double points to halve the deficit to five points.

Bjerre was then surprisingly beaten around his home track by Davey Watt as Poole crept up on the hosts at 42-39.

After Ward won the penultimate heat, Poole headed into the final heat with a shot at victory but Bjerre would not be beaten twice as Peterborough secured two points but the Pirates grabbed a consolation point.

Elsewhere, Belle Vue Aces moved to within three points of Lakeside in third with a 47-43 win over The Hammers at Kirkmanshulme Lane.

The meeting was abandoned due to the rain after 14 heats, but the result stood and and Belle Vue did enough to claim maximum points.

The Aces were led home by Hans Andersen with paid 11, whilst GB ace Lee Richardson led Lakeside with 9.

Finally, in the Knockout Cup - Wolverhampton secured a first leg win over Coventry Bees in the quarter-final with a 51-43 success at Monmore Green.

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