ACES OFFER PANTHERS CREDIT

BELLE Vue boss Mark Lemon accepted the best team had won the Grand Final after his side again had to settle for the Premiership runners-up spot.

The Aces were four points up on aggregate after five races of Thursday’s second leg at Peterborough, but were then unable to match the all-round strength of the home side.

Lemon said: “We gave it everything we had tonight. It was a classic Final that came to a head in Heat 14.

“We still had the chance to go to golden heats after Tom (Brennan) and Charles (Wright) gated on a 5-1, but sadly that didn’t happen after Charles suffered an engine failure.

“Missing Brady (Kurtz) definitely hurt us. We only scored four points from R/R but nevertheless the boys put in a solid campaign, we just didn’t hit form at the right time.

“I can’t fault the guys in 2021. Their fortitude, desire and commitment all season has been brilliant. They worked as a cohesive group, and they deserved better.

“Full respect to Peterborough. They were the better team on the night, and we offer our congratulations to them as Premiership champions.”

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Photo credit: JEFF DAVIES