SPECTACULAR paid maximums from Jason Garrity and Brady Kurtz led Sheffield to a hard-fought 53-40 win over local rivals Scunthorpe at Owlerton.

The all-action Garrity and star guest Kurtz put in stunning displays for the Window Centre Tigers, delivering crucial 5-1s at the death in heats 13 and 15 to ensure they withstood a spirited Scorpions fightback to emerge with three important Premier League points.

Having battled to an early lead there was a substantial delay after a heavy crash for Scunthorpe man Ryan Douglas in heat six left him with a suspected dislocated hip.

After a County Ambulance arrived to take him to hospital, the Tigers struck back to back 5-1s to seize control of the meeting.

Yet the visitors struck a big 8-1 in heat eight as Alex Davies took a tactical ride followed by a 5-1 in heat nine to move back within three and set up a tense finale.

The Tigers nonetheless came on strong to overcome their struggling neighbours and move back up to fourth in the Premier League table – and team boss Jack Lee was relieved to emerge with a hard-fought victory.

Lee said: “We were going pretty well, we went 14 points in front and we thought things were all signed and sealed before they got that 8-1.

“That really changed the meeting and they certainly gave us a scare, but all the lads stuck together and fought hard so we came back and in the end got a 13 point win so we have to be happy with that.

“We dipped a couple of times and it wasn’t a perfect performance, but Brady (Kurtz) and Jason (Garrity) were both tremendous and they came up trumps for us when it mattered in heats 13 and 15.

“I hope Ryan (Douglas)is OK, it was a nasty injury by the looks of it and we all wish him all the best.”

Whilst Garrity and Kurtz were undoubtedly the star duo for the Tigers, they received solid back-up from throughout the side.

Josh Bates continued his good form with a typically battling display whilst David Bellego was in the thick of the action throughout, ending his night with an important win in heat 12.

Nicolai Klindt started his home debut with a victory in his opening ride but otherwise experienced an up and down night, whilst Paco Castagna fought to a creditable paid five points in the tough No.2 spot.

Youngster Arthur Sissis endured a tough night at reserve after a fall in his opening ride, but it was nonetheless another good win for the Tigers to keep their play-off push right on track.

With no home meeting next week, Sheffield will return to action at Berwick on Saturday, August 15 before hosting reigning Premier League Champions Edinburgh at Owlerton on Thursday, August 20 (7.30).

SHEFFIELD 53: Jason Garrity 14+1, Brady Kurtz 13+2, Josh Bates 8, David Bellego 7+2, Nicolai Klindt 6+1, Paco Castagna 4+1, Arthur Sissis 1.

SCUNTHORPE 40: Tero Aarnio 13+2, Alex Davies 13, Theo Pijper 7, Nike Lunna 4+1, Ryan Douglas 2, Carl Wilkinson 1+1, Zdenek Holub 0.