THIS comfortable win over the Racers on Wednesday confirmed a top four finish in the Premier League table for the Stars – and a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

Reading were the only club who could have mathematically ruined Lynn's chances, but they were seen off in the first half of this fixture.

Lynn's injury-hit team eased into a 16-8 lead after the first four races and then hit a golden streak with five successive 5-1 results, which effectively sealed the victory.

Mildenhall rider Jan Graversen scored an impressive paid seven points as stand-in guest for Shaun Tacey, while the use of rider-replacement for Rusty Harrison was worth ten points. Lynn would not complain about that.

As much as team points were at stake, there was also a personal duel between the league's top two riders, Kevin Doolan for Lynn and Ulrich Ostergaard for the visitors – and they finished with 13 points apiece.

But ahead of the Premier League Riders' Championship at Sheffield, Ostergaard may be the happier after twice beating Doolan in their head-to-head clashes.

The Danish rider also had a couple of wins over home skipper Tomas Topinka, but a change of helmet colour for a tactical ride in Heat 7 didn't do Ostergaard any favours.

In that race he was out-gated by Topinka and John Oliver and just couldn't make up any ground on the Lynn pair, which meant Reading missed out on any double points.

Doolan's best ride came in Heat 1 when he scorched round the circuit in a winning time of 58.85 seconds, the quickest at the Norfolk Arena this season.

Lynn: Kevin Doolan 13 (5 rides), Jan Graversen (guest) 5+2 (4 rides), Tomas Topinka 13+2 (6 rides), Simon Lambert 11+2 (5 rides), rider replacement for Rusty Harrison, John Oliver 9+1 (5 rides), Kozza Smith 8+2 (5 rides).

Reading: Mark Lemon 7 (5 rides), Tomas Suchanek 0 (4 rides), Ulrich Ostergaard 13 (5 rides), Chris Mills 4 (4 rides), Tom Madsen 3 (4 rides), Darren Mallett 2 (5 rides), Danny Warwick 2 (3 rides).