SHEFFIELD hit back at local rivals Scunthorpe with a 51-41 win at Owlerton on Thursday.

The Window Centre Tigers were frustrated by an away defeat to the Scorpions at the weekend, but regrouped on home shale to secure their first win in four.

But two of those defeats saw Sheffield claim consolation league points at both Edinburgh and Newcastle.

And Tigers boss Simon Stead continues to be impressed by his side.

“Overall I’m happy with the team and tonight was another important league win for us,” Stead said.

“Having said that, I expect nothing less than a win at home with the team that we’ve got this year, but it was important that we got back to winning ways tonight.

“The loss to Scunthorpe on Sunday was disappointing but with that result pushed to one side, we continue to take several steps in the right direction.

“The whole team are gelling even better meeting by meeting and tonight, I couldn’t really have asked for much more from our two guest reserves (Josh Pickering and Jack Smith) either.

“Of course there’s still lots for us to build towards, but as always we’ll take the positives out of this one and it’s another win for us which is the most important thing.”

Josh Grajczonek was sensational at No.1 again as he recorded yet another unbeaten night, meaning he was now won 22 out of his last 27 heats at Owlerton.

Middle order duo Josh Bates and Lasse Bjerre continued to develop their partnership together, registering two impressive 5-1 maximums at crucial stages of the meeting which arguably put the hosts in the driving seat part way through.

Todd Kurtz provided solid back up on home shale once again, pulling off another super ride to claim some big points in heat eight, denying the Scorpions’ Tero Aarnio maximum double points in the process.

Captain Kyle Howarth suffered his toughest night of the season so far, but still managed one race win, while guest reserve duo Josh Pickering and Jack Smith chipped in with contributions which proved vital between the two sides in the end result.

The Tigers are next in action when they travel to Peterborough on Sunday.

SHEFFIELD 51: Josh Grajczonek 15, Josh Bates 10+1, Lasse Bjerre 8+3, Todd Kurtz 6+1, Kyle Howarth 6, Josh Pickering 4, Jack Smith 2+2.

SCUNTHORPE 41: Lewis Kerr 11, Tero Aarnio 9, Josh Auty 7, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Carl Wilkinson 5+2, Michael Palm Toft 4+2, Chris Widman 0.