Peterborough lift the cup.

Peterborough lifted the Knockout Cup for the second time in three years tonight (Saturday). They went down to 48-42 in the second leg in Ipswich but were never in danger of losing the twelve point advantage they had build up in the first leg.

Peterborough always looked in control tonight. Mark Loram lead the way with three vital race wins when the pressure was really on. Ryan Sullivan helped himself up 11 points as Ipswich were never given more than a glimmer of hope.

The home side's weakness at reserve was again evident as they picked up just two points while their counterparts (Nigel Sadler and Mario Jirout) totalled fourteen.

Peterborough maintained their advantage after the night's first five heats despite having to use rider replacement for the injured Sam Tesar after realising scheduled guest Jason Lyons could not ride under the seven-day rule as he had ridden for Belle Vue at Ipswich earlier in the week.

Ipswich put themselves right back in the hunt with a heat six maximum from Chris Louis and Jarek Hampel ahead of Loram, who responded with victory over Scott Nicholls

Ipswich held their two-point on the night advantage through a Hampel victory. Loram chalked up his second win of the night in heat 10 to leave Panthers with an overall eight-point lead with just five races remaining as time began to run out for Ipswich.

Loram and Jirout put one hand on the trophy for Panthers with a 4-2 to cut the gap to two points with just three races left. Peterborough began to celebrate soon afterwards as Sadler forced his way past Louis to join Sullivan for a 3-3 behind Nicholls that settled the match.

The new Knock Out Cup holders bid for a second trophy of the season tomorrow (Sunday) when they face Poole and Wolverhampton in the fist leg of the Craven Shield Final at Peterborough. Start time is 3.00pm.

Scorers
Peterborough: Ryan Sullivan 11, David Howe 4, Mark Loram 12, Shane Parker 1, Mario Jirout 6, Nigel Sadler 8.

Ipswich: Chris Louis 7, Jarek Hampel 8, Craig Boyce 9, Jeremy Doncaster 8, Scott Nicholls 14, Savalas Clouting 2, Carl Baldwin 0.