Draw could easily have been a win

Panthers retained their unbeaten record against regular rivals Redcar – although a creditable draw could easily have been an excellent away success.

The two teams were never split by more than four points during a tight tussle in which the lead changed hands on several occasions.

Guest Nike Lunna’s success in the opener inspired a 4-2 for Panthers, but Redcar responded with a couple of their own in heats three and four.

Number one Jack Holder and Lunna, who was an excellent stand-in for unavailable Bradley Wilson-Dean, slammed in a 5-1 in the fifth contest to open up a twopoint lead that Panthers retained until being on the receiving end of a full house from Ben Barker and Jonas B. Andersen in heat nine.

The city men replied impressively and immediately as Paul Starke led home skipper Ostergaard for a 5-1 of their own in the next race before a Holder-inspired 4-2 in heat 11 stretched the advantage to four points.

It looked set to increase further until a Holder error cost him the lead and a likely 4-2 in a shared heat 13, and theadvantagewasthenwiped out altogether when captain Ostergaard hit the deck in the penultimate contest.

He was excluded and partner Tom Bacon was powerless to prevent Tobias Busch and Andersen from slamming in a 5-1 in the re-run.

That outcome sent the two sides into a mouth-watering finale on level terms and a fine Holder success ensured parity remained.