SHEFFIELD Tigers handed themselves a good opportunity to win the Sunday Sport Trophy with a 49-41 first leg defeat at Stoke on Saturday.

The Sheffield Window Centre-backed side went into the meeting without the services of Paul Cooper who has already been contracted to a Grass Track event before the fixture was arranged - and James Birkinshaw is out for the rest of the season.

And after six races it was worrying for Sheffield as they went 10-points down when former favourite Lee Complin, up against his parent club, teamed up with talented youngster Ben Barker for a maximum over Joel Parsons.

Ricky Ashworth and Ben Wilson hammered home a vital maximum in heat 11 to keep the scores close with the home leg still to come on September 27.

Victory on the night was assured for the Potters when Jon Armstrong and Jamie Smith romped home in the penultimate heat of an entertaining night of racing at the Loomer Road venue.

STOKE: Glenn Cunningham 13, Ben Barker 12, Jon Armstrong 9, Lee Complin 7+2, Jamie Smith 3+2, Claus Vissing 3, Rusty Harrison 2+1.

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth 14+1, Andre Compton 10, James Cockle 6+2, Ben Wilson 6, Joel Parsons 4+1, Luke Priest 1, Paul Cooper r/r.