SHEFFIELD’S disappointing away form continued on Saturday night at Loomer Road when the Tigers crashed to a 55-35 Premier League defeat against Stoke.

It was a night of double disappointment as the twenty-point victory for the Potters gave them the aggregate bonus point as well.

The Tigers hopes of gaining anything from the evening weren’t helped though by having to ride without heat-leader Ricky Ashworth. The rider remains trouble by his recent wrist injury having aggravated it again on Thursday night at Owlerton against the Potters. Rider-replacement was operated in Ashworth’s absence.

Andre Compton scored 11 and Ben Wilson backed him up with 10 (paid 11). Stoke, however, were superior in all departments with five riders being paid for double figures.

Sheffield did take an early 4-2 lead after heat 2, but the Potters were soon level and had opened up a 29-19 lead after heat 8.

Further Stoke 5-1s followed in heats 9 and 10 and, although the Tigers did hit back momentarily with a five-pointer of their own in heat 11, the hard work had already been done by the Potters and they ended the evening comfortable winners.

STOKE: Rusty Harrison 12+2, Ben Barker 11+1, Lee Complin 10, Glenn Cunningham 9+2, Barrie Evans 7+3, Claus Vissing 6, Jamie Smith 0

SHEFFIELD: Andre Compton 11, Ben Wilson 10+1, Joel Parsons 8+1, James Cockle 3+1, Paul Cooper 3, James Birkinshaw 0, Ricky Ashworth R/R