SHEFFIELD once again defied the odds on their travels to edge a dramatic 91-89 aggregate win in their Premier League Play-Off Semi-Final with Glasgow.
The Window Centre Tigers went down 48-42 in their second leg at Ashfield but just did enough to prevail after building up an eight-point lead at Owlerton 24 hours earlier.
It was a stunning team effort from the injury-hit Yorkshiremen to pull off another unlikely success and book their place in the Premier League Grand Final.
Co-promoter Damien Bates heaped praise on his patched-up side after a heroic effort to keep their title dreams well and truly alive.
“It was fantastic and everybody played their part,” said Bates. “Everyone stuck together, dug in and every point was important in the end.
“Stuart Robson and Cameron Heeps did a good job as guests and we couldn’t have asked for much more from them.
“Josh (Bates), Kyle (Howarth) and Arthur (Sissis) in particular were absolutely fantastic, and it was a superb result.”
Aussie ace Arthur Sissis starred with a tremendous paid 14 point haul at reserve, whilst stand-in skipper Kyle Howarth also notched an excellent paid 11.
Local lad Josh Bates delivered two vital race wins to calm any nerves after Glasgow had made a fast start, whilst Stuart Robson and Cameron Heeps also put in solid showings as guests.
With Nathan Greaves also chipping in with a vital point, it was another true team effort from the gutsy Tigers.
The first leg of the Grand Final against Somerset has been pencilled in for Wednesday, October 26 (7.30) at Owlerton with the return leg at the Oaktree Arena on Thursday, October 27 (7.30).
GLASGOW 48: Aaron Summers 14, Richard Lawson 11, Richie Worrall 9, Rene Bach 7+2, Nike Lunna 3+1, Danny Ayres 3, Fernando Garcia 1+1 SHEFFIELD 42: Arthur Sissis 12+2, Kyle Howarth 9+2, Josh Bates 9, Stuart Robson 8+1, Cameron Heeps 3+3, Nathan Greaves 1, Simon Stead r/r Sheffield win 91-89 on aggregate
