The cracking display against Peterborough has given everyone real hope for the season.

Cheetahs may have fallen just short in a 46-43 defeat, but that is no mean feat against the champions.

Freddie Eriksson was the star turn for Cheetahs with a paid 13 points - easily his best for the club - while there was solid back-up from Pepe Protasiewicz and Jesper Jensen.

One encouraging sign this season has been the contribution made by Steve Johnston.

In the two meetings so far, he has proved a solid middle-order man, and once Ales Dryml gets back into the groove, they will be a force to be reckoned with round Sandy Lane.

It proved a tough job to get the track back into tip-top shape for the meeting, however.

The surface was in great condition during practice and for the first meeting against Belle Vue, but suffered from the England v Denmark Under 21 international when ridden in wet and cold conditions.

It was all hands on deck in a bid to get the surface raceable - Colin Meredith quitting as track janitor didn't help the situation - but they got going only 20 minutes after the advertised start time.

Despite the encouraging result, Johnston was disappointed not to start the season with a victory.

"I really wanted to win this meeting," he said afterwards.

"Freddie showed us what he can do, but we all need to fire at the same time.

"It took us all a while to get used to the track, which was very different from last week.

"I'm gutted we lost, but it was a much better perform- ance. I'm happy riding with Ales and when it all comes together we will have a good side.

"Off the track we are a happy unit, now we must get it together on the track."