PATCHED-UP Sheffield put up a brave fight as they suffered a 47-43 defeat at Edinburgh in the first leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final.
The Window Centre Tigers travelled to Armadale without key duo Josh Grajczonek and Lasse Bjerre.
And although they let an early lead slip, they nonetheless emerged with an excellent result which leaves them in a strong position ahead of the second leg.
They looked on course to end the Monarchs’ unbeaten start to the season after five heats having roared into a 10-point lead.
But the hosts came fighting back to edge a tense finale, with Tigers’ guest Richard Lawson eventually winning the final race to limit the deficit to four points.
Lawson put in a solid showing as he stepped in for Grajczonek, whilst skipper Kyle Howarth stormed to a sensational 14-point haul.
All-action No.2 Josh Bates also bagged paid double figures – and he was quick to praise the efforts of their side.
“Everybody played their part tonight, and it was a really good result for us,” Bates said.
“I know we were winning by ten at one stage, but it was a good night all in all and we’d have definitely taken that result if you offered it us beforehand.
“We’ve got a really good chance to go through when they come to Sheffield for the second leg, so things are looking good.”
EDINBURGH 47: Sam Masters 11, Ricky Wells 10+1, Mark Riss 9+4, Erik Riss 8, Josh Pickering 5+1, Max Clegg 2+1, Mitchell Davey 2. SHEFFIELD 43: Kyle Howarth 14, Richard Lawson 11, Josh Bates 8+3, Rob Branford 4+1, Todd Kurtz 4, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 2, Lasse Bjerre r/r.
