Berwick 35 Peterborough 52 Abandoned after 14 heats, result stands

Peterborough issued a stunning statement of Premier League intent with a thumping away success at Berwick on Saturday.

The ‘TC Harrison’ Panthers completed a demanding run of four fixtures in as many days on a high by storming to maximum points at Shielfield Park and moving to within touching distance of the play-off places.

In-form Danish duo Lasse Bjerre and Ulrich Ostergaard led the march to glory in the Borders with double-figures displays while the remaining members of a patched-up Panthers side all contributed well.

Local lad Lewis Blackbird was paid for 10 points while former Berwick man Nicki Barrett enjoyed a happy return to the Borders with a paid nine-point haul – by far the best display of his Peterborough career to date.

And reserve partner Joe Jacobs added a handy 6+2 with only guest Justin Sedgmen failing to win a race during a first league success on the road.

But the Aussie, borrowed from table-topping Edinburgh for the night, still added a valuable paid seven to the bumper Panthers tally.

Team boss Carl Johnson said: “I set the lads an eight-point target for this run of fixtures – and they’ve hit it in superb style.

“We’ve spent the past four days together and the lads have all bonded brilliantly. The team spirit is absolutely superb and we’ve produced some excellent performances on the track.

“Things didn’t go our way on the previous two nights at Redcar and Edinburgh, but we had a good feeling at this meeting and the result was never in doubt.

“It was great to pick up such a big win for the fans who have followed us on the Northern tour. Their support has been hugely appreciated by myself and the riders.”

Panthers took command by slamming in three 5-1s in the first five races to amass a 12-point advantage.

Berwick did hit back when top-scoring reserve guest Steve Worrall enjoyed a successful tactical ride in heat eight, but Bjerre and Jacobs provided an instant response with a maximum in the next race.

Another 5-1 followed from Blackbird and Bjerre in heat 11 as Panthers effectively wrapped up victory with four races to spare.

And they soon had all four league points in the bag courtesy of a Bjerre-led 4-2 in the re-run of heat 13 after home rider Claus Vissing had been excluded for hitting the deck.

Barrett bagged his second race victory in Panthers colours in another 4-2 in heat 14 before rain set in to force an early halt to proceedings.

Panthers return to action on Tuesday (July 1) when they face Redcar at the East of England Showground (7.30pm).

BERWICK: Steve Worrall (guest) 15+2, Kevin Doolan 7, Claus Vissing 5, Steen Jensen 4+1, David Bellego 3, Liam Carr 1+1, Rider replacement for Matthew Wethers.

‘TC HARRISON’ PANTHERS: Lasse Bjerre 13+1, Ulrich Ostergaard 12, Lewis Blackbird 8+2, Nicki Barrett 8+1, Joe Jacobs 6+2, Justin Sedgmen (guest) 5+2, Rider replacement for Ryan Fisher.