Hans bounces back to form to lead an impressive away performance

Hans Andersen bounced back to form in great style as Panthers completed a League Cup double over Ipswich.

After a nightmare opening to the season when he failed to score, Danish ace Andersen was unbeaten until a ding-dong tussle with Ipswich number one Jason Doyle in the final heat to record an 11 + 1 points return.

Andersentwicecombined with fellow countryman Ulrich Ostergaard for big 5-1s in the first half of the meeting as Panthers took control, and Chris Harris was also in double figures with a paid-12 total. Michael Palm Toft and impressive new signing Benjamin Basso picked up eight points apiece.

Doyle won his first two rides, but Andersen lowered his colours in heat 10 with Panthers leading by six points, before Michael Palm

Toft got the better of home captain Danny King in a terrific Heat 11.

Doyle took a tactical substitute outing in heat 12 but it all went wrong for the home side when he lifted and fell on turn two, leading to his disqualification.

Panthers reserve Basso then took the second win of another terrific display in the re-run – and although Ipswich gated on a 5-1 in heat 13, Harris and Palm Toft both forced their way past King to seal victory.

And with Andersen a clear winner of heat 14, all four points were in the bag even though Paul Starke overhauled Basso.

Andersen saw his maximum hopes ended in heat 15 after a great scrap with Doyle, but it was nowhere near enough to spoil Panthers’ party.

Panthers team manager Rob Lyon said: “Hans was on fire tonight and he was unlucky in heat 15 to be fair.

“The match was already won and he was just having a good old race with Jason Doyle, and he came off second best unfortunately – but he was good tonight, very good.”