Workington 42 Peterborough 48 (Panthers win 97-85 on aggregate)

PETERBOROUGH are two meetings away from potential trophy glory after brilliantly booking their place in the final of the Premier League Cup.

The ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers overcame the loss of number one Ryan Fisher to season-ending shoulder surgery and the absence of Ales Dryml with a back complaint to clinch a 48-42 semi-final, second leg triumph at Workington.

And, following on from a 49-43 verdict in the first leg last month, it ensured a relatively smooth passage into a showpiece showdown against unbeaten Premier League table-toppers Edinburgh later in the season.

Guest David Bellego and reserve ace Nicki Barrett played starring roles with double-figures scores at Derwent Park while they received fine support from the rest of the Panthers line-up in another strong away showing.

Team boss Carl Johnson said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the boys.

“We won at Berwick in the league recently when we had Ryan and Ales missing, so we knew we could do it again.

“Not many people will have given us a chance of holding onto a six-point advantage there with only six men, but having our backs against the wall brings out the best in us.

“We showed that tonight and I fully believe we can show it again in the final against Edinburgh.

“We pushed them harder than any other team has managed up at Armadale and we will do everything we can to lift the trophy.”

Panthers zoomed into an eight-point lead early on as back-to-back 4-2s were followed up a 5-1 from the Bjerre/Barrett combination in heat four.

They always led by at least four points on the night and a crucial 5-1 in heat 11 from Lewis Blackbird and Bjerre left them 14 points clear on aggregate with four races remaining.

And victories from Bellego and Blackbird in two subsequent shared races ensured they advanced with plenty in hand.

Panthers’ joy was tempered by reserve Joe Jacobs being involved in two crashes.

Johnson reported the rider was left ‘shaken up’ after being pushed into the back-straight fence in heat 9 and then coming down again in heat 12.

Panthers return to action on Saturday (July 19) when they travel to Rye House ahead of a tasty tussle against Edinburgh at the East of England Showground on Sunday (July 20).

The meeting against the Monarchs (5pm) will be precdeded by the British 125cc Final.

SCORES

WORKINGTON: Rene Bach 14+1, Josh Grajczonek 11+2, Ricky Wells 7, Mason Campton 4+2, Simon Lambert 4+1, Simon Nielsen (guest) 2, Rider replacement for Kyle Howarth.

‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: David Bellego (guest) 11+1, Nicki Barrett 10+3, Ulrich Ostergaard 9, Lasse Bjerre 8+1, Lewis Blackbird 8, Joe Jacobs 2+1, Rider replacement Ryan Fisher.