SHEFFIELD’S Championship play-off hopes were given a massive boost as a result of their 54-38 win over Newport on Thursday night at Owlerton.

The win and the subsequent aggregate bonus point moves the Tigers up to second place in the Premier League table, but with Sheffield now having completed their league fixtures they must sit and wait to see if they have done enough to secure a top four play-off spot. The teams directly below them still have a few meetings left to race, but looking at their outstanding fixtures, the signs are that Sheffield look likely to be in the end of season shoot-out for the Premier League Championship.

Tigers skipper Andre Compton top-scored on the night with 14 points, but he had some great support from Ricky Ashworth who was unbeaten by an opponent whilst racing to a 13 (paid 15) maximum. Ben Wilson also had a profitable night with 9 (paid 10).

Sheffield took the lead with a 4-2 in heat 1 and by heat 6 had opened up a 24-12 lead. Joel Parsons then won heat 7, but with Tony Atkin (tactical ride) and Sebastian Truminski second and third, the resulting Wasps 5-3 did momentarily reduce the arrears to 27-17.

The Tigers followed that up with successive 4-2s, and a 5-1 from Wilson and Ashworth in heat 10 more or less clinched the victory for the Yorkshiremen.

Newport hit back with a 5-1 of their own in heat 11, but Sheffield finished the meeting well to run-out comfortable 54-38 winners.

SHEFFIELD: Andre Compton 14, Ricky Ashworth 13+2, Ben Wilson 9+1, James Cockle 7, Paul Cooper 4+1, Joel Parsons 4, Simon Lambert 3+1.

NEWPORT: Tony Atkin 11, Michal Rajkowski 8+1, Chris Shramm 7+1, Tom Hedley 6+1, Nick Simmons 3, Sebastian Truminski 2+2, Barry Burchatt 1.