SHEFFIELD seized control of their League Cup group with a magnificent 49-44 away win at Peterborough.
After regaining the top spot with victory over Scunthorpe at Owlerton on Thursday, the Window Centre Tigers put in their best performance of the season to move six points clear.
Having shown glimpses of their potential in the opening weeks of the season, the Tigers delivered a powerful performance to gain revenge after being held to a draw by the Panthers on home soil last week.
The visitors recorded nine race wins, with all of the top five on top form before reserve Richard Hall secured victory in the penultimate race.
It was a memorable night for Sheffield to make it two consecutive away wins following their comfortable triumph at Scunthorpe last month.
Kyle Howarth top scored for the Tigers with a breathtaking display, joining forces with flying youngster Josh Bates for a trio of 5-1s which made all the difference.
Heat-leader duo Simon Stead and Jason Garrity claimed two race wins apiece, plus Dimitri Berge continued his fine form to get them off to a perfect start with a victory in heat one.
Reserve Hall bagged a crucial paid seven with a battling performance against his former club including his timely heat 14 triumph to extinguish any hopes of a Panthers’ comeback.
Joint team manager Marc Bates was full of praise for all of his side – including Nathan Greaves who endured a tough night at reserve.
And he believes their eye-opening performance shows what their talented young side is capable of after a steady start to the campaign.
“We are absolutely ecstatic with that result,” said Bates.
“All the team rode well, the top five were fantastic again, Richard (Hall) had a great win in heat 14 and Nathan rode hard but just didn’t quite manage to get in the points.
“If we can ride like that all season, which is obviously going to be difficult, then we are more than a match for anyone, home or away.
“We’ve come to one of the league favourites and beaten them in their own back yard, so I think that just proves how strong this team can be.”
PETERBOROUGH 44: Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen 14, Ulrich Ostergaard 8, Tom Perry 5+1, Michael Palm Toft 5+1, Nicklas Porsing 5+1, Simon Lambert 4, Emil Grondal 3+1.
SHEFFIELD 49: Kyle Howarth 12+1, Jason Garrity 9, Josh Bates 8+2, Dimitri Berge 7+1, Simon Stead 7, Richard Hall 6+1, Nathan Greaves 0.
