Title heartache for Stars

Lynn Stars team boss Dale Allitt says Wednesday night’s aggregate Premiership final defeat against the Poole Pirates was difficult for the team to stomach.

The Stars’ chief admitted it would take a few hours of disappointment before preparing themselves for the Knockout Cup final against Somerset next week over two legs.

Allitt said: “It’ll take a few hours. We’ll get over this in 24 hours and go again. We’ve got to pick ourselves up for the final next week.

“We’ll talk tomorrow (Friday) because it’s all so raw.

“It’s a shame Adam (guest Ellis) couldn’t add to his three points and it’s a shame Niels Kristian Iversen couldn’t ride tonight but he’ll be back for the cup which is a big plus.”

Co-promoter Robin Brundle had nothing but praise for the team after seeing them pipped to the Premiership crown.

Brundle said: “It goes without saying that we would’ve loved to have got our hands on that trophy, but we’re still very proud of what we’ve done this year.

“We’ve enjoyed a great season overall as we made history by finishing top of the regular top league standings for the first time in the 53-year existence of this club.

“We’re the silver medalists in the end but it takes two great teams to create a classic final and we take our hats off to Poole and congratulate them on their win.

“You cannot fault the effort of our riders and we pushed them all the way, but I feel we did sadly miss our two regular riders in Niels-Kristian Iversen and Michael Palm Toft who missed out through injury and they would have made a difference you feel.

“We’ve still got the Knockout Cup to aim for next week though, but for now it’s congratulations to Poole on their Premiership success.”