Witches overwhelmed by a great team performance

Panthers completed a quickfire double over the Ipswich Witches with a resounding success at the Showground on Monday.

It’s clear this Panthers team was put together with great care and attention as strength in depth was again a key factor as all riders continue to chip in.

This time it was the turn of Michael Palm Toft (paid 16) and Bjarne Pedersen (paid 12) to top score, although guest reserve Jack Thomas was also excellent in collecting eight points.

Every rider picked up at least two wins with Danny King and Craig Cook the only visitors to offer resistance. Panthers legend, and multiple world champion, Jason Crump managed just one point.

The Witches did briefly lead thanks to Anders Rowe’s Heat 2 win, but Palm Toft/ Scott Nicholls maximums in Heats 3 and 5 saw Panthers regain control.

Craig Cook gated in Heat 6, but he was quickly overtaken by Palm Toft, with Bjarne Pedersen cleverly cutting back inside the Ipswich rider going into the second lap.

And the fourth 5-1 in the sequence was the most dramatic with Pedersen, back after sickness ruled him out of the meeting at Ipswich last week, well clear in Heat 8 whilst Hans Andersen engaged in a frantic scrap for second with Drew Kemp before emerging on top.

Not surprisingly the Witches’ effort was led by King, who rode superbly to get the better of Pedersen and Nicholls in Heat 10, and he received late support from Cook as they gained a consolation 5-1 in Heat 13.

But there were two further Panthers maximums in Heats 12 and 14 with Andersen barging Rowe aside in Heat 12 to team up with Palm Toft, whilst Thomas and Nicholls kept Kemp at bay in the penultimate race.

With Premiership leaders Wolverhampton also wining at home to King’s Lynn, the battle for top spot could be decided when Panthers travel to the West Midlands on Monday (September 13).

Even if that meeting goes badly Panthers look in great shape for the play-offs.

Panthers team boss Rob Lyon said: “The boys were on fire against Ipswich. Everyone was on it. It was a great team performance.

“It was also good to have Bjarne back. He put the problem from our previous home meeting right in fine style, and he looked really pacy as well around the outside a couple of times.

“Jack Thomas did himself no harm for potential future bookings. He did himself and the club proud. He rode very, very well.”