TIGERS picked up more valuable Premier League points with a 53-40 win over the Isle of Wight at Owlerton on Thursday - but it wasn't enough for the aggregate bonus point.
The heavy 59-32 defeat across the Solent 48-hours earlier left Reg Wilson's men with a mountain to climb and they had to settle for the win on the night.
James Birkinshaw made a spectacular return from a shoulder injury with 11+2 - and was involved in yet another spill when Cory Gathercole brought him down.
Chris Holder, who is set for a move into the Elite League next season, lowered the Owlerton track record and dropped just a point for the Islanders in a sensational performance.
SHEFFIELD 53: James Birkinshaw 11+2, Andre Compton 11, Ricky Ashworth 11, Ben Wilson 8+1, Paul Cooper 8+2, Joel Parsons 4+1, Byron Bekker 0. ISLE OF WIGHT 40: Chris Holder 17, Jason Bunyan 8, Krzysztof Stojanowski 4, Glen Phillips 3+1, Simon Lambert 3+1, Cory Gathercole 3, Chris Johnson 2+1.