PANTHERS 48 POOLE 42 (September 9, 1999 - Elite League)

IF tonight's contest is even half as exciting as this crunch clash between two title rivals, we will all be in for a treat.

This was arguably the most memorable of the many high-quality home matches Poole have helped to create at the Showground.

It was a must-win meeting with both teams knowing a defeat would seriously hit their championship ambitions - and the sparkling form of big-guns Jason Crump and Ryan Sullivan made sure the city side emerged victorious in front of the Sky TV cameras.

But this was no doddle for Panthers as Poole battled to force a last-heat decider despite lacking an out-and-out number one rider.

Panthers built a commanding 10-point lead after providing the first seven heat winners but the eighth race provided a somewhat painful turning point.

Poole man Magnus Zetterstrom was taken to hospital with a broken leg after being sent tumbling by Jan Andersen, but the Pirates managed a 5-1 in the re-run courtesy of Matej Ferjan and Lee Richardson.

Panthers did briefly extend their lead again when Nigel Sadler kept tactical substitute Mark Loram back in third in heat nine but Poole showed they were not prepared to surrender when future Panthers skipper Gary Havelock beat Sullivan in heat 12.

And the visitors received a further boost thanks to a controversial Chris Gay refereeing decision following heat 14. Jesper Olsen had taken the chequered flag but the Panthers man was dramatically excluded after the race with Gay adamant both his wheels had crossed the inside of the white line on the first turn.

That call turned a 3-3 into a Pirates 5-1 and made the final heat decisive, but Sullivan and Crump made sure it was the home fans celebrating.

Sullivan powered away from the front while fellow Aussie Crump came charging through from the back to complete his paid maximum to provide a fitting finish to a meeting with all the right ingredients for fabulous speedway.

And this successs helped make it a fabulous season for Panthers.

Scores:

Panthers: Jason Crump 14+1, Ryan Sullivan 14, Sam Tesar 8, Jesper Olsen 4, David Howe 3+1, Nigel Sadler 3, Jan Andersen 2+1.

Poole: Gary Havelock 13, Mark Loram 8+1, Lee Richardson 6+4, Matej Ferjan 6+1, Scott Nicholls 5+2, Olly Allen 2, Magnus Zetterstrom 2.