SHEFFIELD Tigers went close to pulling off a precious away draw at Workington on Saturday - but eventually went down to a 49-41 Premier League defeat.

The meeting was clouded by controversy when a collision between Tigers star Joel Parsons and Comets duo Craig Branney and Mattia Carpanese resulted in a horrifying crash.

Parsons was excluded for his part in the incident and both Workington riders were taken to hospital - but thankfully released late in the evening with severe bruising.

With Workington reduced to four riders to finish the meeting - they were already without Kauko Nieminen who was on world cup duty - the Sheffield Window Centre-backed side will be disappointed with the final result.

Going into the last race decider they needed a 5-1 from Ben Wilson and Andre Compton to pinch the draw - but James Wright and Carl Stonehewer pulled off a Workington maximum to win the meetinbg by eight-points.

Sheffield are hoping to have Ricky Ashworth back in their side for this Thursday's home meeting with Somerset (7.45pm) after he missed the weekend action with a badly damaged wrist.

WORKINGTON: James Wright 16+1, Carl Stonehewer 15+1, Charles Wright 8+1, John Branney 7+1, Mattia Carpanese 1+1, David Haigh 1+1, Craig Branney 1, Kauko Niemenen (R/R).
SHEFFIELD: Ben Wilson 12, Andre Compton 10+1, Paul Cooper 9+3, James Birkinshaw 5, Joel Parsons 4, James Cockle 1, Ricky Ashworth (R/R).