SHEFFIELD edged a 32-30 win over Plymouth at Owlerton in a meeting marred by the return of the Tigers’ injury problems.
Joe Screen’s side were dealt a major blow when a heavy heat three crash left Leigh Lanham with a thumb injury and Taylor Poole with a suspected broken femur.
The crash, which also caused Plymouth man Rasmus Jensen to withdraw, caused a lengthy delay which eventually led to the meeting being postponed after just ten heats due to curfew.
Despite being reduced to just four riders, the Tigers battled valiantly with flying reserve Ben Wilson in spectacular form to lead their charge.
He experienced a hectic evening yet raced to a staggering 16+2 point haul, joining forces with Simon Stead for a heat ten maximum which saw Sheffield edge a narrow win before the meeting was called to a halt.
Skipper Stead went unbeaten in his three rides whilst Nico Covatti added a solid four points from his two outings.
However, the meeting was overshadowed by the injuries to both Poole and Lanham, whilst youngster Josh Bates also left Owlerton nursing a shoulder injury after he fell in heat seven.
It was another tough evening for Screen’s side despite the narrow win – and the team boss was left hugely frustrated by another night during which the Tigers were struck by misfortune.
Said Screen: “It was tough losing Taylor (Poole) and Leigh (Lanham) early on like we did, and it just summed up the way our season has gone really because it’s been an absolute nightmare with injuries.
“It was a difficult night and we were pleased to come away with the win at the end, but obviously it was overshadowed by the injuries and we hope everyone has a speedy recovery.”
SHEFFIELD 32: Ben Wilson 16+2, Simon Stead 9, Nico Covatti 4, Josh Bates 3+1, Taylor Poole 0, Leigh Lanham 0, Andre Compton r/r
PLYMOUTH 30: Sam Simota 9+1, James Wright 6, Josef Franc 5, Kyle Newman 4+2, Olly Allen 4, Rasmus Jensen 1+1, Roland Benko 1+1
Abandoned after 10 heats due to curfew – Result STANDS
