SHANE Parker’s dramatic Heat 15 win helped Sheffield pick up a consolation Premier League point from their trip to Rye House on Saturday evening.
They went into the last race trailing 45-40 with Parker triumphantly taking the chequered flag ahead of Luke Bowen, but there was also action behind as both Tyson Nelson and Josh Auty fell on the final bend whilst battling for third place. Neither rider was hurt, but Auty was first to his feet and pushed his bike home for the point that gave the Tigers some return from a battling performance at the Hoddeson raceway.
Hugh Skidmore and Parker initially put the visitors ahead with a 5-1 in Heat 1, but the Rockets quickly fought back and had opened up a comprehensive 32-20 lead after the completion of Heat 9.
After that it was left to a Ricky Ashworth tactical ride in Heat 10 to get Sheffield back into the contest. The move worked well as he led home Ritchie Hawkins and Emilano Sanchez, with the 7-2 reducing the deficit to 34-27.
This was followed by two Tigers 4-2s in races 11 and 13, with a Rye House four-pointer sandwiched in between.
Heat 14 then finished all square - thus leaving Parker and Auty to salvage a league point for Eric Boocock’s men in the final race.
RYE HOUSE 47: Tyson Nelson 16, Luke Bowen 14+1, Jordan Frampton 7+1, Ritchie Hawkins 6+1, Steve Boxall 3, James Brundle 1, Chris Neath R/R
