SUPER-SUB Aaron Summers once again came up trumps to top score for Peterborough in a 45-45 Bank Holiday thriller with rivals King’s Lynn at the Showground - but boss Carl Johnson was left frustrated!
Aussie ace Summers, a last gasp signing on the eve of the season for Crendon Panthers to plug a gap in the side, top scored with 10+1 to help them to a gutsy comeback in front of a bumper crowd.
And yet Johnson said: “It was a high pressure night for everyone and I believe we could have won the meeting.
“Things went against us, particularly at the start in some races, but this was a great meeting and this is a proper speedway track, the circuit is brilliant.
“It was great to see so many people here and there was a great atmosphere. As a manager I guess I should be pleased, but I still feel a little disappointment because we could have won.
“I’d like to thank all the Peterborough fans for their support, we’ll kick on from here.
“Aaron was superb, but when he had to come into Heat 15 it was a step too far which is understandable.”
Johnson’s men dug deep and displayed great character to keep the match alive when Lynn were ahead to claim a point.
King’s Lynn made the better start and held the upper hand for a large part of the meeting but this Panthers team have character in abundance.
Heat 6 was frustrating with no less than five attempts to reach completion and Crendon Panthers top man Rohan Tungate hit the tapes as the tension grew.
It took until Heat 11 for the Crendon Panthers to draw level – but even then Lynn had more in the tank. And in Heat 14 Summers pulled off a vital win with team mate Charles Wright third to bring the scores level at 42-42.
Tungate held his nerve for the win in the last after Hans Andersen was thrown out for touching the tapes and Panthers secured a point.
Panthers are next at home on Thursday May 9 against Belle Vue in the Premiership.
PETERBOROUGH 45: Aaron Summers 10+1, Hans Andersen 9+1, Rohan Tungate 8, Bradley Wilson-Dean 6, Charles Wright 6, Lasse Bjerre 3, Ben Barker 3. KING’S LYNN 45: Robert Lambert 13, Kasper Andersen 10, Ty Proctor 8+1, Michael Palm Toft 5+1, Erik Riss4+1, Thomas Jorgensen 3, Lewis Kerr 2.