TOP gun Thomas Jorgensen was “gutted” but proud after going so close to grabbing victory at the death in King’s Lynn’s 45-45 draw with league leaders Wolverhampton.
The Minors & Brady Stars fought tooth and nail, never letting the SGB Premiership trailblazers get more than four points away and got back to level pegging going into a last-heat decider.
Out came big hitters Jorgensen and Richard Lawson but a brave surge from the outside from visiting number one Sam Masters paid dividends as he held off the Dane’s push for a chequered flag that would have won the meeting for the Stars.
“I thought I was going to get there,” said Jorgensen.
“I knew I had to go big, I had tried to line him up a lap earlier and going into the last corner I was hopeful he would go a bit closer to the inside but he was on my line for all four laps.
“He just crossed the line before me so it was disappointing but we are definitely moving in the right direction.
“We are gutted to draw, for sure, but they have a strong side. We felt we could have put it away but it was always going to be difficult.”
Jorgensen was a big part of the reason King’s Lynn had the chance to win, his gutsy blast inside Nick Morris on the final turn of heat seven to win back second when it seemed impossible to create the gap sent chalk flying into the air and the crowd wild.
“We changed a few things early on to try to get it back to how we normally have it because I have been struggling in the UK lately,” added Jorgensen.
“We are trying to sort things out but I think we are getting dialled back in like we were so we should be alright for the next meeting.”
MATCH ACTION
The Minors & Brady Stars trailed for much of the evening but crucially remained in touch against a side who had run riot to win 58-32 at the Adrian Flux Arena just three months ago.
There wasn’t quite the stunning climax the crowd had craved as Sam Masters got the better of Thomas Jorgensen and Richard Lawson in heat 15 but supporters still left the stadium with smiles on their faces.
Jorgensen and Lawson had got the home side back on terms with a stirring 5-1 in heat 13 when they both overhauled free-scoring away reserve Ryan Douglas, and but for youngster Leon Flint holding off skipper Lewis Kerr in heat 14 Lynn would have gone into the decider in the lead.
As it was they could reflect on having performed a creditable rescue bid.
The value added by Ben Barker was clear once again and his third place in heat 10 helped narrow the gap to two points.
Erik Riss, who had led heat three before falling, seemed set to score in heat 12 only to slow on the last lap to hand Flint third place, making the home side’s task an uphill one – but Jorgensen and Lawson were superb in heat 13.
And although late wins for Wolves duo Flint and Masters ensured a share of the spoils, the Stars at least had something to show for their considerable efforts.
KING’S LYNN 45: Thomas Jorgensen 12, Richard Lawson 10+2, Lewis Kerr 9, Ben Barker 7, Kasper Andersen 6+2, Connor Mountain 1+1, Erik Riss 0.
WOLVERHAMPTON 45: Ryan Douglas 13, Sam Masters 8, Leon Flint 8, Broc Nicol 5+2, Luke Becker 5, Rory Schlein 4+1, Nick Morris 2+1.
