It’s derby delight

came through a lastheat decider to enjoy East Anglian derby success.

New number one Scott Nicholls – back at a track he called home for 10 years – and leading scorer Michael Palm Toft packed the minor places in the finale to secure a notable early-season scalp.

Panthers were never more than four points adrift despite trailing for the first 10 heats.

A 5-1 from Emil Grondal and Nicholls in heat 11 proved decisive as it turned a twopoint deficit into a two-point advantage that Panthers held during a dramatic conclusion.

Successive shared races followed before they found themselves in a tough spot in heat 14 when Simon Lambert crashed out of the initial staging before Palm Toft was stuck at the back in the re-run. But he scythed down the inside of Witches pair Cameron Heeps and Connor Mountain on the second lap to earn another 3-3.

Ipswich big-guns Danny King and Rory Schlein initially held a 5-1 in the closing race, but Nicholls forced his way past Schlein and Palm Toft followed through to ensure Panthers prevailed .