Last-heat decider tests nerves as well as temperaments

A TANGIBLE mix of triumph, relief and disappointment swept across the Redcar side of the pits after a recently strengthened Berwick Bandits threatened to undo all the good work achieved through victory at Oxford last Wednesday.

- By KEITH McGHIE

The Agilia Bears’ playoff hopes remain firmly intact despite seeing an attainable aggregate bonus point disappear up the A1 to the Scottish borders following a scintillating last heat decider.

A Jonas Jeppesen-inspired late Bandits comeback meant all three available points were still up for grabs with just four crucial laps remaining and, entering the second circuit of the ECCO Arena track, Charles Wright, Danny King, Jeppesen and Drew Kemp were four abreast as spectators held their breath and feared it might end in tears or worse.

New Danish signing Jeppesen, on his first visit to Teesside, teamed up with Kemp as early as heat three to give the visitors a narrow lead they held until heat eight.