SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers' Premier League title hopes are still alive after a sensational end to Thursday's first leg of the Grand Final. Tigers trailed by one point against King's Lynn with four heats to go, but put together an amazing run of four consecutive 5-1s to leave themselves with a 15-point advantage. And the hero of the hour was 16-year-old Tai Woffinden who produced the performance of his young career so far with 14 points, beaten in only one of his five rides. The early stages of the meeting were nip-and-tuck but Tigers managed to move themselves eight points clear with a Woffinden/Ben Wilson 5-1 in a re-run Heat 8 after Chris Mills had fallen heavily. But the tie seemed to swing hugely back in Lynn's favour during the next two races, firstly in a calamitous Heat 9 which saw Emiliano Sanchez falling on the first lap, and then Kyle Legault suffer engine failure at the end of the third lap. When Batchelor and Kevin Doolan headed home Wilson and Ricky Ashworth in Heat 10, King's Lynn led on the night and Sheffield's hopes were dramatically receding. But the last four races, which took place in an atmosphere which became more and more electric, saw Tigers turn a one-point deficit into a 15-point lead thanks to two race wins from Woffinden and 5-1s from the Andre Compton/Ashworth combination. The second leg takes place at King's Lynn on Friday - but Tigers are unable to call up the spectacular Woffinden due to the Conference League Final at Plymouth, so Mark Thompson takes his place. Skipper Andre Compton said: "Several of the boys had a few mechanical problems early on but we got through it to finish well, and I am happy to be taking a 15-point lead to King's Lynn." Sheffield: Tai Woffinden 14, Andre Compton 12+1, Ricky Ashworth 9+2, Ben Wilson 6+1, Kyle Legault 5+1, Emiliano Sanchez 4+1, Paul Cooper 2+1. King's Lynn: Daniel Nermark 9, Kevin Doolan 6+2, Troy Batchelor 6, Tomas Topinka 6, Chris Mills 5, Trevor Harding 3+1, John Oliver 2+1. Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers are facing up to the biggest two days in their history with the Premier League title up for grabs - starting tonight (Thursday). They face a rampant King's Lynn side in the first leg of the Premier League Grand Final with the return in Norfolk 24-hours later. Lynn are hot favourites to complete the treble having already won the Premier Trophy - ironically at the expense of Sheffield - and the Knockout Cup. But defiant Sheffield co-owner Neil Machin is backing his side to deliver the goods and fight all the way for the championship they last won in 2002. The is the first time the title has been decided via the play-off system and Lynn finished top of the regular league standings, nine-points clear of runners-up Sheffield. Said Machin: "I wouldn't swap my top five for any other top five in the league and if we can all perform like we know we can, then anything can happen." It promises to be a night of tension, thrills and spills and there is no better way for the curtain to fall on another memorable season of high-speed racing at the magnificent Owlerton Stadium venue. TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Tai Woffinden, Paul Cooper. KING'S LYNN: Daniel Nermark, Trevor Harding, Troy Batchelor, Kevin Doolan, Tomas Topinka, Chris Mills, John Oliver. Read More...

KING’S Lynn boss Rob Lyon leads his side into the Premier League Grand Final first leg at Sheffield on Thursday with a clear target. Lyon wants to see the Norfolk men stay within touching distance of the Tigers with the return at Lynn on Friday to decide the title. He said: “I know they’ll be pumped up but I believe we can keep it to within 10 points.” Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers fans have no excuse to miss the second leg of their Grand Final tie at King's Lynn next Friday, October 27. That's because Sheffield Window Centre, loyal supporters of the club, will meet the cost of coach travel to the Norfolk Arena - but organisers need a clear indication of the numbers. If you fancy the trip to back the team, e-mail Geoff Ridsdale at the following address as soon as possible: stars@sheffield-tigers.co.uk Read More...

TIGERS enjoyed the perfect preparation for next week's championship decider with King's Lynn thanks to a 59-36 demolition of old rivals Hull. Even though the Humbersiders are currently without a home, the Yorkshire Cup shootout saw plenty of visiting fans make the trip to Owlerton to raise hopes of finding a new track. Said Tigers boss Neil Machin: “Hull lost their Craven Park home last year, but this shows that there’s still plenty of support for speedway over in East Yorkshire. “But more importantly for us it was a good workout as we go into next week’s Premier League Grand Final against King’s Lynn. We were able to try a few things and flex our muscles a bit – and the win did crank confidence levels up significantly.” Vikings tracked a strong side of their former riders, but Sheffield were still too powerful. Two 5-1s inside the first four heats paved the way for the win and even through Hull fought back in the latter stages with a 5-1 followed by an 8-1 tactical ride the result was never in doubt. TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth 12+3, Ben Wilson 14+1, Emiliano Sanchez 5+1, Kyle Legault 9+1, Andre Compton 9+1, Paul Cooper 4+1, Tai Woffinden 6+1. HULL: Robbie Kessler 6, Paul Thorp 13+1, Emil Kramer 2, James Birkinshaw 1, Joel Parsons 14+1, David Speight 0. Read More...

OLD rivals Sheffield and Hull will do battle in a one-off Yorkshire Cup clash at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45pm). Hull haven't raced since they were evicted from their Craven Park home 13-months ago. Hull City Councillors have been invited to the meeting as Sheffield do their bit to keep the Vikings alive in their push for a new stadium. Included in the Hull side are Mark Lemon and Shane Parker who rode for the club in their one and only season in the Elite League seven-years ago. And Paul Thorp, the man Sheffield fans love to hate, will skipper the side for probably the last time. Sheffield co-owner Neil Machin said: "It's sad that Hull doesn't have a speedway club right now and hopefully a meeting like this tonight will remind everyone what great support there is. "From our point of view, we are facing up to a very difficult test because our good friend Dave Peet has put together a very solid team. It will be a good test ahead of our play-off final next week." TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Tai Woffinden. HULL: Mark Lemon, Robbie Kessler, Paul Thorp, Emil Kramer, Shane Parker, Joel Parsons, David Speight. Read More...

WOLVERHAMPTON have won the race to sign teenage sensation Tai Woffinden on a full contract. Woffinden, the son of former rider Rob, has attracted the interest of a host of clubs throughout the year. The 16-year-old will appear for Sheffield in the final three meetings of the season - the Yorkshire Cup clash with Hull on Thursday and both legs of the Premier League Grand Final. Said Tai: "Talking to people respected by my dad, we have been told nothing but good things about Wolverhampton and what a great club they are with a great management, supporters and stadium.” Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers are just two matches away from winning the Premier League title after a stunning 60-35 demolition of the Isle of Wight at Owerton. Going into the meeting they were just seven-points down from the frst leg on he isand 48-hours earlier and they made no mistake on home shale. The 103-85 aggregate win means they have a level chance of lifting the league title when they face either King's Lynn or Rye House in a fortnight. Skipper Andre Compton was in his usual stunning form and he received good support from most of his side - including young Tai Woffinden who came in at reserve and put himself in the shop wndow again with a fine display. Chris Holder, who is destined for a career in the Elite League, was an impressive winner of the opening race for the visitors as he equalled Simon Stead's track record of 59.5 seconds. But the Pirtek-sponsored Sheffield side were in control throughout the night and were worthy winners. Pirtek Tigers co-promoter Neil Machin said: "I'm very proud of the lads, they all did a great job and I'm delighted to get through to the final." The home leg of the final will be on October 26. Next Thursday Tigers face Hull in the re-arranged Yorkshire Cup clash. TIGERS: Andre Compton 13+1, Kyle Legault 11+1, Tai Woffinden 9+2, Ricky Ashworth 9+1, Ben Wilson 8+2, Emilanio Sanchez 7+1, Paul Cooper 3+1. ISLE OF WIGHT: Chris Holder 13, Jason Bunyan 10+1, Krzystof Stojanowski 4, Jason Doyle 3, Andrew Bargh 2+1, Nick Simmons 2, Ray Morton 1. Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers are one match off reaching the first-ever Premier League Grand Final. They face Isle of Wight Islanders at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday night knowing a win by more than seven-points will give them a straight shootout over two legs with King's Lynn or Rye House for the championship. The first leg finished 50-43 in favour of the Islanders on Tuesday which leaves Sheffield slight favourites going into the biggest meeting of the season. Andre Compton and Emiliano Sanchez returned from injury and illness respectiveley on the island and have suffered no reaction so will both take their place tonight. Tai Woffinden is in at reserve for Sheffield and Andrew Bargh replaces Chris Johnson for the Islanders. The Islanders top five, meanwhile, are all capable of scoring points at Owlerton and this tie could go down to the last race if they perform to their true ability. "It's up to us to nake sure we're professional and make no mistake on the night," said Pirtek Tigers manager Reg Wilson. "We cannot afford any costly bike problems or anything like that. We did a good containing job at their place on Tuesday and it would be a shame to see that go to waste on our own track." TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Tai Woffinden. ISLE OF WIGHT: Chris Holder, Jason Bunyan, Ray Morton, Krzystof Stojanowski, Jason Doyle, Andrew Bargh, Nick Simmons. Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers have kept their Premier League title hopes alive after a narrow 50-43 defeat at the Isle of Wight. The Owlerton side will start Thursday's home leg as clear favourites to make progress to the play-off final after keeping the enthusiastic Islanders at bay on their own circuit. Skipper Andre Compton returned from a shoulder innury and Emiliano Sanchez declared himself fit after recovering from a virus to boost the travelling squad. Tigers co-owner Neil Machin said: "It's really nicely poised for the return leg but I would say we hold a slight advantage after that result. "All the boys worked hard and I cannot fault any of them. We're looking good, but there is still a job to do when we face them at Owlerton and we need all our fans to get right behind us." ISLE OF WIGHT: Jason Doyle 14, Chris Holder 10+1, Ray Morton 9, Nick Simmons 7+2, Krzysztof Stojanowski 5+2, Jason Bunyan 5+1, Chris Johnson 0. TIGERS: Ben Wilson 10+2, Kyle Legault 9, Andre Compton 9, Emiliano Sanchez 8+2, Ricky Ashworth 3, Paul Cooper 3, Mark Thompson 1+1. Read More...

ANDRE Compton will ride through the pain barrier when Sheffield Pirtek Tigers go to the Isle of Wight int he first leg of their Premier League play-off semi-final (7.30pm). The Owlerton skipper has travelled with the team despite still suffering some discomfort from a shoulder injury. "The play-off is the only reason I am back on a bike," said Compton. "I know just how important these meetings are, we want to be through to the final and challenge for that league championship." Tigers have already won at Smallbrook once this season - but club owner Neil Machin is warning it will be tougher tonight. "They had some injury problems at the time," said Machin. "Now Ray Morton is back for them and he's flying, so this will be a very difficult meeting for us. "We have to go there with a positive attitude and try and keep the score as close as possible to bring back to our place for the second leg on Thursday." TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Mark Thompson. LIVE COVERAGE from Smallbrook on Pirtek Tigers ClubCall 09066 555 923 - calls 60p/min. Read More...

RICKY Ashworth and Ben Wilson secured the runners-up position for the Pirtek Tigers in Sunday's Premier League Pairs at Glasgow. Ashworth (8) and Wilson (13) qualified from Group A along with Newcastle (25), defeating King's Lynn on countback after both pairs had finished on 21 points. They were joined in the semi-finals by Group B qualifiers Somerset and Glasgow, and in the race against the Rebels Wilson managed to force Magnus Zetterstrom out to hold onto third place, Ashworth taking the win ahead of Emil Kramer. That put Sheffield into the Final, but Danny Bird made the start on this occasion - and although Ashworth took second place, Shane Parker held off Wilson for third to ensure victory for Glasgow. Newcastle beat Somerset in the consolation final for third place. Read More...

HOSTS Workington won the Premier Fours at Derwent Park on Saturday - with the Pirtek Tigers finishing on the rostrum in third place. Sheffield stormed through their group, dropping just four points in the eight races - and three of them came when skipper Andre Compton had mechanical failure in his first outing! Ricky Ashworth and Kyle Legault won both of their rides with Ben Wilson adding five points as Tigers went through along with King's Lynn - Rye House and Newcastle going home at that stage. But in the Final it was group B qualifiers Workington and Somerset who raced clear in the early stages, and it always looked like being a battle between them for the top prize. Tigers scored just four points from the first six races but then mounted a strong fightback to ease clear of King's Lynn and be just two points adrift of Somerset, for whom Magnus Zetterstrom rode through the whole meeting unbeaten. However, Workington clinched the Fours title in Heat 11 as after Rusty Harrison had tangled with Ashworth and been ruled out of the re-run, Alan Mogridge came in for his last-ever ride in speedway - and won it. Final Result: Workington 23, Somerset 21, Sheffield 16 (A.Compton 5, B.Wilson 4, K.Legault 4, R.Ashworth 3), King's Lynn 12. Read More...

SHEFFIELD skipper Andre Compton will return to lead his side in the Premier League Fours Championship at Workington on Saturday. Compton crashed out of the Premier League Riders’ Championship on his home track almost a fortnight ago and aggravated a shoulder injury. Tigers chief Neil Machin said: “Andre is desperate to ride for us in the business end of the season, it’s a measure of the man.” Read More...