PLYMOUTH 42 PANTHERS 47: PETERBOROUGH co-boss Blayne Scroggins has set his sights on Premier League Cup glory after the ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers eased into the semi-finals tonight (May 2).
Scroggins’ side clinched top spot in the Southern Group with a meeting to spare thanks to a successful first visit to Plymouth – a five-point triumph on the night securing three league points.
Brilliant guest Steve Boxall, number one Ryan Fisher and British finalist Lewis Blackbird all delivered double-figure contributions to spearhead what Scroggins described as a ‘complete performance’ despite the absence of leading lights Lasse Bjerre and Ulrich Ostergaard due to Danish Championship semi-final duty.
“Our aim was to top the group and we have achieved it,” said Scroggins. “It was great to get our away form back on track and there is no doubt we thoroughly deserved to win the meeting.
“We had some big performances on a night when all six members of the team chipped in despite some tricky track conditions. To win on the road without two key riders is no mean feat.
“The guys are over the moon to be through to the semi-finals and this is a competition we believe we can win.”
The two sides were never separated by more than the eventual five-point margin during a tight and often dramatic meeting.
There were two exclusions in the opening heat alone as Devils guest Jason Garrity and Fisher were excluded before the race was eventually completed at the third attempt with Blackbird having to play second fiddle to Ben Barker.
Home rider Kalle Katajisto clocked a new track record on his way to victory in heat three and the in-form Finnish rider then claimed back-to-back wins in heats eight and nine to give the hosts a narrow advantage.
But Panthers finished the stronger with three advantages in the final five races to emerge victorious.
The powerful Fisher/Blackbird partnership bagged a 5-1 in heat 11 before Ales Dryml’s victory in a penultimate race 4-2 secured the point that made sealed Panthers’ position at the top of the Southern Group.
Fisher then took the chequered flag to spearhead a final heat 4-2 that ensured they advanced in style.
Panthers complete their group programme with a trip to Rye House on Sunday afternoon (May 4, 2pm start).
SCORES Plymouth: Ben Barker 12, Kalle Katajisto 11, Sam Simota 7+1, Roland Benko 6+2, Jason Garrity (guest) 5, Ben Reade 1+1, Rider replacement for Rasmus Jensen.
Panthers: Steve Boxall (guest) 12+1, Ryan Fisher 12, Lewis Blackbird 10+1, Ales Dryml 8+1, Oliver Greenwood 3+2, Joe Jacobs 2, Rider replacement for Lasse Bjerre.