SHEFFIELD maintained their unbeaten start at Owlerton with a battling 50-40 victory over Peterborough.

A third straight home league win propelled the Window Centre Tigers up to second spot in the SGB Championship.

While the previous successes over Ipswich and Berwick were a lot more comfortable, this was a performance that highlighted certain other strengths possessed by Sheffield in 2017.

The Tigers plugged away to open up a four point lead after seven races, but a 5-1 to the Panthers in the next saw them draw back level.

However, Sheffield dug deep and not only did they secure three more league points with a race to spare, they also sent Peterborough home empty handed thanks to a last race 5-1 from Kyle Howarth and Lasse Bjerre.

"Who knows how important that could be come the end of the fixtures," Tigers promoter Damien Bates said.

"It was a different type of win for the team tonight but it was another performance to be proud of.

"Peterborough kept coming back at us and they were making the better starts, but our riders showed they were desperate to keep their run going and dug very deep.

"Peterborough probably did deserve a consolation point in all honesty, but credit to our lads who kept it going right until the very end.

"It's another win, we had some outstanding racing from both teams tonight and the big crowd that turned out again here will have gone home very pleased I'm sure!"

Danish star Lasse Bjerre put in his best performance in Tigers colours so far and was involved in both of Sheffield's crucial 5-1 maximum heat advantages.

Skipper Kyle Howarth stormed to double figures for a sixth straight meeting while Josh Grajczonek chipped in with two race wins, including a stylish tapes to flag victory in the opening race.

Todd Kurtz, Josh Bates and Rob Branford all earned their points with a series of brave outside manoeuvres and fascinating battles while Jack Parkinson-Blackburn did his job at reserve by finishing ahead of the opposition No.7 Tom Bacon on the two occasions he came up against him.

The Tigers are back in action next Thursday at Owlerton when they entertain Edinburgh in the first leg of their Knockout Cup tie.

SHEFFIELD 50: Lasse Bjerre 12+1, Kyle Howarth 12, Josh Grajczonek 8+1, Todd Kurtz 6, Rob Branford 5+2, Josh Bates 5, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 2+2

PETERBOROUGH 40: Paul Starke 12, Jack Holder 9+2, Bradley Wilson-Dean 9+1, Ulrich Ostergaard 9, Simon Lambert 1+1, Tom Bacon 0, Kenneth Hansen R/R.