PANTHERS appear to have adopted a sadistic streak which is rearing its ugly head on a regular basis at the Showground.

The city side certainly look to be intent on putting themselves and their fans through as much torture as possible before emerging with exhilarating Elite League victories.

For the second time this season Panthers found themselves in a losing predicament against their East Anglian rivals at Alwalton, but just as on Easter Monday in the Craven Shield they turned things around.

Trevor Swales' men were on the ropes as a depleted set of Witches, who were reliant on cracking guest booking Chris Holder as a main source of points, moved in for the kill to leave a sparse home faithful fearing the worst.

But after seven largely ineffective heats Panthers decided everyone had suffered enough and the majority of the men in red and black set about proving how badly they do actually want to win.

If the aggression and desire of the core of the side had been in doubt before last night, it should not be any longer because four key men inspired a splendid turnaround.

A six-point deficit had become a six-point lead by the time reserve star Claus Vissing wrapped up victory by taking the chequered flag in heat 14.

It was quite a revival inspired by a first top-flight maximum for Danny King, the usual Showground fireworks from Hans Andersen, more excitement and excellence from Vissing and the odd good moment from Kenneth Bjerre.

The final winning margin grew to eight points thanks to the efforts of Andersen and Bjerre in another cracking closing heat.

Holder rocketed clear of Andersen in a Witches 4-2 opener, but the city men replied in kind.