SHEFFIELD WINDOW CENTRE TIGERS team boss David Hoggart admits “the best team won” as Edinburgh took full advantage of an under-strength side at Owlerton on Thursday.
With Sheffield missing Simon Stead, Damien Koppe and Adam Roynon through injury it always promised to be a difficult evening against the high-flying Monarchs, and the Scots made sure they made the most of it.
After a tight start, in which the Tigers actually led, the visitors took control of the meeting with two vital 4-2 heat advantages in the middle part of the contest and from there they never looked back.
Although he was disappointed, Hoggart admits his side were simply outgunned; “It was as tough as we expected, they’re a very good side and I have no problem with them winning because they were just better than us.
“We didn’t ride particularly poorly, but they were just sharper and they rode very well. They were fiercely competitive and wanted it, they came to do a job on us and they did.
“We’re disappointed, of course, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and just admit that the best team won on the night.”
Ricky Wells was again the shining light for Sheffield as he added 15 points to the 11 he accrued at Somerset on Wednesday, while Josh Auty’s return to Tigers colours yielded paid nine.
Dakota North chipped in with paid eight, and Andre Compton, the only man to lower the colours of Great Britain star Craig Cook when he raced to victory in heat one, scored five plus one.
The meeting was overshadowed though by what looked like a serious injury to Edinburgh’s Australian reserve Mitchell Davey.
He crashed in heat two and suffered a suspected leg injury, although the severity is not yet known; “It was a horrible looking crash and Mitchell was in a fair bit of pain, and everyone at Sheffield Speedway wishes him a full and speedy recovery.” said Hoggart.
