Shame there was no Hans-on role

The legendary Hans Andersen was a visitor to the East of England Arena last Friday night.

In all honesty, Panthers could have done with the Danish star – who dragged the city club to their last league title when leading an unforgettable Elite League Grand Final fightback against Reading more than a decade ago – on the track rather than watching from the pits.

He saw the current crop of Peterborough riders fall to a third home defeat of the season – and a second in just under a month against Sheffield.

They trailed throughout the latest loss which began with a Josh Grajczonek-inspired 5-1 for the Tigers in the opener and concluded with the same Australian rider taking victory in a 4-2 finale which clinched his side all four available league points.

Panthers could have no complaints about that outcome.

The scoreline was an accurate reflection of a meeting in which the city side provided only six race-winners and managed just one heat advantage. That came when top man Chris Harris took victory in the fourth contest with reserve Tom Bacon back in third.

A visiting reserve was a key figure, though. Sheffield guest James Shanes, who piled up paid 13, has now starred in all three of Panthers’ slip-ups on home shale this term.

The fact a guest rider had such an impact on the outcome was a major source of frustration for Panthers, who saw their own borrowed man manage just a single point.

Kevin Doolan, who stepped in for Bradley Wilson-Dean, had what can only be described as a shocker at a track where he usually scores well.

To make matters worse for Panthers, Wilson-Dean roared to a paid maximum for his SGB Premiership side, Swindon on the same race night.

Panthers could have done with Hans Andersen on the track.