Panthers win a thriller to collect their first points

Panthers snatched victory over Sheffield in a dramatic finish at the East of England Arena – winning the Premiership meeting in the first-ever ‘Super Heat’.

Panthers fought back from eight points down to draw 45-45 in a thriller of a contest with the Tigers after 15 races. But they sealed their first win of the season in the equivalent of a penalty shootout in football as Michael Palm Toft won from the gate while Chris Harris crucially overtook Tobiasz Musielak for the all-important third place. It was a night of relief for Panthers who displayed massive fighting spirit to overturn their mid-meeting deficit to the title favourites, and there were also several improved displays in their side.

Ulrich Ostergaard gated to a race win over Craig Cook and Jack Holder in Heat 1, added another victory in Heat 8, and then combined with Palm Toft for a 5-1 in Heat 10. But Panthers still needed something big as they trailed 33-39 after 12 heats, and they got it in Heats 13 & 14 with back-to-back 5-1s. It put Panthers unexpectedly into a last-heat decider 43-41 ahead, and in a blockbuster of a race the Tigers gated on a 5-1 only to be split by Harris. But the home side did the business when it mattered in the super heat.

PETERBOROUGH 45: Michael Palm Toft 10+1, Chris Harris 10, Ulrich Ostergaard 9+1, Scott Nicholls 6+1, Benjamin Basso 6+1, Hans Andersen 2+1, Jordan Jenkins 2+1. SHEFFIELD 45: Tobiasz Musielak 11, Jack Holder 10+2, Craig Cook 9+1, Adam Ellis 7, Kyle Howarth 4+1, Jake Allen 3, Dan Thompson 1+1.

Chris Harris in front for Panthers against Sheffield. Photo: David Lowndes.