BIG FINISH FOR STARS

KING’S Lynn edged out Peterborough 47-43 in a League Cup thriller at the Adrian Flux Arena on Thursday.

The Stars are now favourites to win the Southern group after triumphing in a terrific last-heat decider which saw Josh Pickering and Niels-Kristian Iversen get the better of Ulrich Ostergaard and Chris Harris for a 5-1.

Pickering top scored for the hosts with 12+2 whilst reserve Benjamin Basso racked up 14+1 from seven rides for the Panthers. Aggregate victory over the week also gave the Stars the inaugural Colin Pratt Trophy.

King’s Lynn boss Alex Brady said: “It was a fantastic night, fantastic racing in the end and in that Heat 15 I had to shut my eyes a few times, it was brilliant.

“We nipped in front, they nipped back in front, there were a few 3-3s, and it was here, there and everywhere – but we stood firm and did it when it really mattered, so I’m really pleased.

“Josh was fantastic, and Niels rode through the pain barrier in Heat 15 for us as well, and this is what this team’s all about.”

Peterborough manager Rob Lyon said: “Rider replacement for Michael brought us seven paid eight, which is a reasonable return, but he’s our No.1 and I do think we missed him, he’s normally pretty good around there.

“I think he would have scored a tad more than that, and it meant our options were somewhat limited – but having said that, we win and lose as a team, and the boys put in 100 per cent, you can’t fault them for effort.

“It was unfortunate in Heat 15 because we got into a 4-2 position and I thought we’d nailed it, but fair play to the Lynn boys because they had other ideas and came back at us and pipped us.”

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER