TIGERS sset Richard Hall is facing up to surgery on a broken ankle after crasjing out of Garry Stead's Benefit Grand Prix at Owlerton last night.

Hall, who has just been released by Elite League Peterborough after two seasons with the club, was back at Owlerton along with fellow riders and thousands of fans to support paralysed ex-rider Stead on an emotional night.

But he hit the back straight fence in his opening ride and sustained the broken ankle, along with leg and pelvic damage.

"He's feeling pretty down about things right now," said Sheffield owner Neil Machin. "It was a nasty one and he was in a lot of pain... and still is.

"He's in Hunstman 4 ward of the Northerh General Hospital and I'm sure well wishers will be more than welcome both with cards and visits."

Another Tigers asset, Lee Complin, was a spectacular winner of the event which pulled in over 4,000 fans to raise cash for Stead, who personally greeted supporters before the meeting and brought the house down with his introduction on parade.

Complin flew from the gate in the final but was passed on the first lap by Wolves' Elite League star Freddie Lindgren, expected to join the Grand Prix circuit next season.

Complin then reeled Lindgren in until grabbing a handful of throttle on the last lap to squeeze through the narrowest of gaps and hang on for a tremendous win.

Sheffield skipper Andre Compton was third, ahead of Birmingham's Jason Lyons.

The other semi finalists were Elite League stars Simon Stead and Steve Johnston, both ex-Tigers, and Sheffield's Ricky Ashworth and rising star Tai Woffinden.

TIGERS are at Somerset tonight in Premier League action - details overnight.