SHEFFIELD Tigers are through to the Premier League Grand Final after a sensational against-all-odds display at King's Lynn on Wednesday.
The Sheffield Window Centre-backed side took full advantage of their 31-point lead from the first leg in going down to a 55-37 defeat at the Norfolk Arena.
And youthful Stars co-promoter Jonathan Chapman was nowhere to be seen at the end of the meeting after prediciting 'an embarrassing defeat' for Sheffield 48-hours before the event.
And there was more controversy when the ploughed field of a track kicked off arguments before the first race, with Sheffield claiming it had been doctored to suit the home riders, and as they struggled to get to grips with conditions Lynn stormed into a worrying 18-6 lead after four heats, including three successive 5-1s... but the match was turned on its head inside three races.
Ricky Ashworth, involved in a flare-up with the outspoken Chapman after his opening ride, sped home for Sheffield's first race win in heat 5 after outpacing Lynn's Swedish star Daniel Nermark and then Joel Parsons and Jordan Frampton filled the minor placings behind home skipper Tomas Topinka to bag more valuable points. But it was a stunning 5-1 from Compton and Paul Cooper which sent Sheffield's confidence levels soaring and silenced the home fans.
A 3-3 in heat 8 left the hosts leading by just 28-20 and even though the Stars grabbed another 5-1 in the ninth race, four points from an Ashworth tactical ride in heat 10 made sure Tigers couldn't be caught.
After that the Lynn challenge faded and even though they were on the receiving end of a 5-1 in the final race, Sheffield's celebrations were already in full swing.
Said skipper Andre Compton: "The track was a disgrace and riders simply couldn't turn in the opening heats - but everyone dug deep and it's a fantastic achievement to beat a side like King's Lynn over two legs and reach the championship final for the second successive year.
"We've suffered some beatings at Lynn this season which is what made our win that much sweeter. Now we'll prepare for the final and this win will give us every confidence," he added.
Tigers now face Rye House, with the Rockets in town next Thursday and the return in Hertfordshire 48 hours later.
KING’S LYNN 55: Tomas Topinka 15, Trevor Harding 10+4, Daniel Nermark 10, Adam Allott 8+1, Simon Lambert 5+2, Chris Mills 5, Paul Lee 2
SHEFFIELD 37: Ricky Ashworth 10, Andre Compton 8, Paul Cooper 6+1, Joel Parsons 6, Ben Wilson 4+1, Jordan Frampton 3+1, James Cockle 0
