Lynn Stars focused on play-off glory

Michael Palm Toft’s young son danced in front of the riders’ press conference area following Monday’s history-making King’s Lynn Stars play-off semi-final.

This unabashed joy summed up the mood at the Adrian Flux Arena since Lynn had just reached their first-ever Premiership play-off final.

Danish speedway sensation Palm Toft had as much reason to celebrate as anyone.

Including paid bonus points, the reserve Tru Plant Stars rider made a haul of 28 over the semi-final two clashes against Belle Vue.

Lynn will now travel to seven-time league champions Poole Pirates for the first of two Grand Final legs on Monday with the mouth-watering return being held at Saddlebow on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old Palm Toft is a man of few words post-meeting, and when asked if paid nine was enough against the Aces at home, compared to paid 19 in Manchester, he quipped: “I’ll take it!

“It was a good meeting, not as good as Belle Vue for me, but we won, we’re through to the final and that’s what counts.”

The host club revealed pre-meeting that Lynn skipper and European number three Robert Lambert has finished just six top-tier races out of 145 without score in 2018, collecting 81 wins on the way.

The Norfolk rider said: “It’s such a great feeling for all of us to be in this position now.”

His namesake Simon Lambert, named man of the match on the night, added: “The last few weeks have been pretty good.

“I was a bit annoyed with myself in the last one when I struggled but I got paid nine so I’ll take it, I guess.

“It’s real cool (to be in a final), real good. We’ll start again.

“Robin (co-promoter Brundle) is going to buy some whistles for next week! The more noise, the better for everyone.”

The Pirates are highly likely to be without Brady Kurtz after he crashed with fellow Australian Jack Holder of Somerset, and who were both withdrawn after a heavy Heat 4 collision on Monday in their epic semi-final.

Chris Harris sent Poole into the Grand Final 91-89 on aggregate with an astonishing Heat 15 ride at Wimborne Road to beat Rebels skipper Jason Doyle on the last two bends when the tie was set to go into Golden Heats.

Team boss Dale Allitt confessed it would be difficult to enjoy what has been achieved so far with two lots of silverware still left to play for.

Allitt said: “I think we all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to push on and do well. That’s what makes you the person you are.

“I am incredibly proud to be the manager of a club I have been at for a long time, I have put in a lot of work with the youth set-up and now the senior side.

“It is great and nice to go forward being a little bit happier about the place we are in today.”