SHEFFIELD are through to the Premier League Play-Off Semi-Finals after a dramatic 92-88 aggregate victory over Newcastle.


The Window Centre Tigers struck a last-heat 5-1 to snatch an unlikely win in the tie despite a narrow 46-44 second leg defeat at Brough Park.

The depleted Yorkshiremen were defending a six-point lead after the first leg at Owlerton last week - and the aggregate scores were level entering a tense final race.

But star man Kyle Howarth and impressive guest Ricky Wells performed heat 15 heroics to keep the Tigers’ title dreams well and truly alive.

It was a gutsy display from Eric Boocock’s side to reach their first semi-final since 2010 – and Boocock was thrilled with the effort shown by their patched-up team.

He said: “It was a brilliant result, and we could have won by more if not for some decisions which didn’t go our way early on.

“We still got through on aggregate and that’s the main thing. The team spirit was fantastic, the three guest riders gave us 110% and were absolutely tremendous – you couldn’t ask for any more.

“We’ve got another two meetings now and the lads can make it or break it. If the lads want it enough then they’re only two meetings away from the final, so it’s all to play for.”

Howarth and Wells starred for the Tigers, whilst Lewis Kerr also added double figures with a fine showing as a guest against his former club.

Reserve Arthur Sissis and Robert Branford battled hard to make crucial contributions as Sheffield set up a mouth-watering tie with Glasgow.

NEWCASTLE 46: Steve Worrall 10, Ludvig Lindgren 9+1, Ashley Morris 8+2, Matej Kus 6+1, Victor Palovaara 6, Stuart Robson 5, Danny Phillips 2.
SHEFFIELD 44: Kyle Howarth 15+1, Ricky Wells 10+3, Lewis Kerr 10, Arthur Sissis 5, Robert Branford 4, Nathan Greaves 0, Simon Stead r/r.
Sheffield win 92-88 on aggregate.