PETERBOROUGH collected a consolation point in their final Premier League Cup, Southern Group outing today (Sunday) – but co-boss Trevor Swales claims they could easily have been victorious.
The table-topping ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers, who had already clinched a semi-final spot, were pipped 49-43 by Rye House on afternoon when they were beset by countless hitches.
Lasse Bjerre top-scored with 12 points but he was somewhat short of back-up as skipper Ulrich Ostergaard and number one Ryan Fisher both endured frustrating meetings.
Ostergaard hit the deck while sat second in heat seven and then suffered a broken chain in the finale when Panthers needed a 5-1 to snatch a draw. The race ended in a 4-2 to the hosts.
Fisher had earlier come to grief when Panthers were on a 5-1 in heat five only for Rockets man Steve Boxall – a brilliant guest for Peterborough as they clinched a place in the League Cup semi-finals with victory at Plymouth on Friday – to get the better of Lewis Blackbird in the re-run.
Fisher also suffered a tapes exclusion in heat 11 and was forced to race off a 15-metre handicap in a race that ended in a Rockets 5-1 and took the home side 12 points clear.
Ales Dryml was deployed in search of double points in the next race but could only come home second behind high-scoring home reserve Jason Garrtity to earn a 4-4.
A Bjerre-led 4-2 in heat 13 followed by a 5-1 from Ostergaard and impressive reserve Oliver Greenwood, who was paid for 11 points, in the penultimate race meant Panthers could level with another maximum in the finale.
But Bjerre had to play second fiddle to rival top-scorer Edward Kennett after mechanical gremlins had put his captain out of the race.
Panthers chief Swales admitted: “We had a number of things go against us and they were the difference between a narrow defeat and a win.
“All in all we can count ourselves unlucky not to get more from the meeting, but we have accomplished our target of going through to the semi-finals as group winners.”
Panthers are back in action on Tuesday (May 6) when they entertain Edinburgh in a mouth-watering Premier League clash at the East of England Showground (7.30pm).
SCORES: RYE HOUSE: Edward Kennett 14, Jason Garrity 12+1, Steve Boxall 10, Luke Bowen 4+2, Matt Tresarrieu 4+2, Simon Lambert 3+1, Jason Bunyan 2.
‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: Lasse Bjerre 12, Oliver Greenwood 8+3, Ales Dryml 7, Lewis Blackbird 6, Ulrich Ostergaard 6, Ryan Fisher 3, Joe Jacobs 1.