KING’S Lynn found the power of title-chasing Peterborough too hot to handle in their penultimate Premiership action of the season.
Minors & Brady Stars went down to a 58-32 defeat in a meeting which saw the Panthers secure top spot in the league table ahead of the play-offs.
It was a night where the home side dominated, whether from the gate or bursting their way through from the back as they regained their momentum after a surprise defeat against Sheffield on Monday.
Stars, meanwhile, were hampered by the absence of in-form reserve Connor Mountain after a crash at Newcastle last Sunday, and they opted to give experience to Jordan Jenkins in his place.
Skipper for the night Ben Barker gave the Stars an encouraging start with a fine ride in the opening race to defeat Michael Palm Toft as the visitors opened with a 4-2, but it proved to be a false dawn as it was their only race victory of the meeting.
Home reserves Hans Andersen and Jordan Palin raced to a 5-1 in Heat 2, and they doubled their lead with a thrilling effort from the back by Chris Harris to pass Thomas Jorgensen in Heat 4.
Panthers then put the meeting beyond Lynn with a hat-trick of 5-1s with guest Simon Lambert joining Andersen in passing Jorgensen in Heat 6, and youngster Palin took the scalps of Erik Riss and Lewis Kerr in the next.
Palm Toft came from the back to win Heat 9 as the home side went 18-points up, and the Stars were then assisted by mechanical trouble for Andersen and Harris in Heats 13 and 15 which ultimately prevented Peterborough from hitting the 60-point mark.
Kerr picked up a disqualification in Heat 14 for bringing down home captain Scott Nicholls, although Kasper Andersen rode strongly in the re-run to get the better of Nicholls in a 4-2 behind Hans Andersen.
Harris and Palm Toft wrapped things up with a 5-1 in the last race as the Stars now look forward to the final meeting of a troubled season when they visit Sheffield on Sunday.
Stars boss Alex Brady said: “Disappointed is the over-riding feeling tonight because I honestly thought we could come here and get something.
“It seems crazy to say after losing by 26, but it feels like a real missed opportunity, and it’s the most disappointed I’ve been by a long way since taking over.
“To go down so heavily is tough to take, and although everyone gave their best efforts once again Peterborough were just much better on the night.”
PETERBOROUGH 58: Michael Palm Toft 15+2, Chris Harris 15, Hans Andersen 12, Scott Nicholls 8, Jordan Palin 6+2, Simon Lambert 2+1, Ulrich Ostergaard r/r. KING’S LYNN 32: Ben Barker 7+2, Thomas Jorgensen 7, Erik Riss 6+2, Kasper Andersen 6+1, Lewis Kerr 6, Jordan Jenkins 0, Richard Lawson r/r.
