BRAVE Sheffield gave Somerset a fright but eventually went down 49-40 at the Oak Tree Arena on Tuesday.
Joe Screen’s side went into the meeting with only three of their team members thanks to injuries and the unavailability of World Cup star Simon Stead.
And after eight races the Sheffield Window Centre side amazingly held the upper hand at 25-23 with a true show of guts from a side made up of three guest riders.
Richard Lawson, in for Stead, was the top scorer for Sheffield with 11+1 and there was good support from fellow guest Hugh Skidmore, back in Tigers colours with 10.
Two maximum 5-1 wins for the home side along with two 4-2 victories turned the meeting in Somerset’s favour – but Tigers can hold their heads high.
Co-promoter Peter Mole said: “We gave Somerset a fright after a tough night on Monday and we have to feel very proud of their efforts.
“Special thanks to the guest riders and also to our travelling fans who were brilliant.”
The best news of the day, however, was that Andre Compton was back at home after his horrifying crash live on Sky Sports the previous evening when he was struck in the head by bike.
But there are injury concerns over Leigh Lanham and Ty Proctor, who both missed the trip.
PREMIER LEAGUE SOMERSET 49: Charles Wright 17, Pontus Aspgren 12+1, Todd Kurtz 9+1, Nick Morris 6+2, Brady Kurtz 5+1, Paul Starke 0, Olly Allen R/R.
SHEFFIELD 40: Richard Lawson 11+1, Hugh Skidmore 10, Taylor Poole 8, Ben Wilson 5, Josh Bates 4+2, Jason Bunyan 2+1, Leigh Lanham R/R.
