THIRTEEN points each from the Peterborough top two inspired the Readypower Panthers to a second successive win over Birmingham, helping them to start their climb up the Elite League table.
Skipper Nicki Pedersen was only denied a maximum in the last race when he lifted on turn two of the first lap, and Troy Batchelor won three of his five rides, including a marvellous pass on Daniel Nermark in heat 15 to seal all three points for the home side.
The victory – a five in a row as the Panthers preserved their unbeaten home record – lifted the Panthers to eight place in the table.
But, more important, they are now only seven points off the play-offs with matches in hand of all the teams above them.
Despite being two points down after four heats, it was a better start than the Panthers’ fans had become accustomed to, with Kacper Gomolski teaming up with Batchelor in the very next heat to open up a lead that was never relinquished.
Poland’s Norbert Kosciuch carried on his excellent home form with some vital race wins on his way to paid 11, including a stunning win over Showground track holder Krzysztof Kasprzak in heat 11.
The home side also had notable contributions from Linus Sundström and Krzysztof Buczkowski, who both recorded seven paid eight, whilst Kacper Gomolski chipped in with a paid win early on.
Only two four-point tactical rides for the Brummies prevented the home team from recording their biggest league win of the season, as Daniel Nermark offered strong resistance against the Panthers top two.
Home hero Batchelor was delighted to bang in another big score; "It was another good meeting for me, I was joint top scorer again and it helps me to get my average up, getting closer to being number one! It was another important meeting for us and we rode well.
"I made some good gates and had some good wins and I'm feeling good about my racing.
“I know where to ride around here and I feel that I can go out and win every race now. I enjoyed heat 15, I went from last to first and it's good that I know I can go in to the big races and win them."
Looking ahead to Panthers next meeting, away at Wolverhampton on Monday, the Aussie ace knows what a tough test the Monmore track will be.
He said: "It's not exactly the track you want to be going to on one of your first away meetings!
"The Polish boys might find it tough, it's a tight, technical track and the Wolves boys are strong there. We have to see what we can do, because it's away where we have to be looking at picking up some points. We know we're good at home, we have to get some points in away now. That's going to be important for us."
Despite having six matches in hand, the Panthers are just seven points off a play-off place and face a big week next week when they visit Wolverhampton (June 20) and then travel to Birmingham on Thursday (June 23).