PETERBOROUGH upset the Elite League formbook in spectacular style with a remarkable 49-44 win at reigning champions Swindon on Thursday.
The Readypower Panthers produced the most sensational of comebacks over the closing stages of the fixture to turn what looked like a comfortable defeat into arguably the result of the season at any venue.
Kenneth Bjerre put in a true No.1’s display, winning his first four rides - but without question the stand-out performance came from in-form reserve Patrick Hougaard who piled-up an astonishing paid-19 total to rock the Robins.
Despite starting the meeting in encouraging fashion and leading 16-14 after five heats, Panthers then suffered a nightmare series of races as they conceded 5-1s in Heats 6, 7 and 9, not helped by a broken chain for Krzystzof Buczkowski in the Pole’s second outing.
Although they were ten-down going into Heat 10, the Panthers bosses elected to delay their tactical ride and that proved a wise move as Nick Morris took the win for a home 4-2 after a fast start from Norbert Kosciuch.
But when they did go for double-points with Bjerre in Heat 11, Panthers benefited from a huge match-turning moment as race-leader Troy Batchelor ground to a halt on the last lap allowing the visitors to profit with an 8-1.
They still trailed by five, but Hougaard and Kosciuch then took advantage of an early slip by Edward Kennett in Heat 12 to narrow the gap to a single point, and with Bjerre taking Heat 13 and Hans Andersen relegated to the back, Panthers were in front.
The momentum was all with the visitors and Hougaard and Buczkowski were in no mood to let things, slip, surging past the fast-starting Kennett to wrap up victory in the penultimate race.
A 4-2 in the last would have put the icing on the cake as it would have given Panthers all four points, but the otherwise outstanding Bjerre suffered a no-score after almost hitting the fence, although that should still not take any gloss from a fine night’s work.
Co-promoter Trevor Swales said: “The atmosphere in the pits was absolutely tremendous, the team spirit was so different and I’m pleased for the fans.
“Kenneth was unlucky not to get a maximum, it was a brilliant performance, and as for Patrick I really don’t know what to say about the lad – it was top-drawer stuff, and for a reserve to go out and win Heat 15 away from home, that’s something you don’t see very often.
“We did have a bit of luck, in fairness, which makes a change – Batchelor dropping a chain did give us an 8-1, but you take it after the bad luck we’ve had, and even tonight we had Buzz (Buczkowski) dropping a chain when in second place. When you’re in our position you take what you can.
“I won’t say too much yet, but at least now we could be back in with a bit of a shout. If we can carry this form on in our next few meetings I don’t see any reason why we can’t climb the table quickly.”
Swindon 44: Troy Batchelor 13, Nick Morris 11+4, Edward Kennett 9+1, Hans Andersen 6, Kyle Howarth 3+1, Ashley Birks 2, Peter Kildemand R/R
Peterborough 49: Patrick Hougaard 18+1, Kenneth Bjerre 15, Norbert Kosciuch 7+1, Joonas Kylmakorpi 4+1, Krzysztof Buczkowski 3+2, Ryan Fisher 1+1, Dakota North 1