SHEFFIELD were condemned to just their second home defeat of the season as they lost 51-39 to a powerful Somerset side.
It means the Window Centre Tigers bowed out of the Premier League Cup at the semi-final stages, with the Rebels progressing 105-75 on aggregate.
Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates admits they were simply beaten by the better side and says the absence of spearhead duo Simon Stead and Jason Garrity meant the Tigers always faced an uphill struggle.
Said Bates: "Fair play to Somerset; they're a very strong team this year and they showed why they've won so many meetings.
"After getting back level after heat 10, we'd have loved to have gone on just to win on the night - but when you're missing your own No. 1 and 5 it's always going to be hard.
"When you've got two of your riders (Kyle Howarth and Richard Lawson) who don't get home from their Elite League meetings until four in the morning the same day as well, it's always going to make it tougher for them as well.
"We need to move forwards though and we've got two huge play-off meetings coming up which we need to focus on."
Kyle Howarth and Dimitri Berge both had solid nights as they picked up two race wins apiece.
Reserve Arthur Sissis displayed another encouraging showing as he secured his joint highest points total at Owlerton since returning to the club in May.
Richard Lawson had a consistent night with his highlight coming in heat ten when he passed the previously unbeaten Charles Wright to join Howarth on a 5-1.
Josh Bates showed plenty of speed, and his six points don't necessarily reflect the efforts he demonstrated in trying to get past the opposition.
It was another night to forget for youngster Nathan Greaves who fell while in third before being disqualified for missing the two minutes time allowance. As if that wasn't enough, his final ride saw him suffer some hefty bike damage as he tried to avoid Somerset's Bradley Wilson-Dean who came down on turn two.
The Tigers are back in action at Owlerton next Thursday (September 29) when they host Newcastle in the first leg of the play-off quarter-final tie.
SHEFFIELD 39: Kyle Howarth 9+2, Dimitri Berge 9, Arthur Sissis 8+1, Richard Lawson 7+1, Josh Bates 6+1, Nathan Greaves 0, Jason Garrity R/R
SOMERSET 51: Josh Grajczonek 13+1, Charles Wright 13, Rohan Tungate 12+1, Bradley Wilson-Dean 8+2, Paul Starke 3+2, Tom Bacon 2+2, Jake Allen R/R
