TIGERS ace Richard Lawson claimed silver in Monday’s British Final at Belle Vue.
Lawson, a winter signing by the Owlerton club, was impressive throughout in tricky conditions and went straight into the final after a top two finish in qualifying.
But Rory Schlein, who had a spell with Sheffield as a youngster in their Conference League Prowlers team almost 20-years ago, was the winner after a majestic display to edge out Lawson.
Cumbrian-born Lawson beat triple World Champion Jason Crump in fine style in his opening ride after making a fast start from gate two. Crump held the inside line but in wet conditions wasn’t ready to try the outside run.
He made it two from two with an immaculate start from the inside gate in Heat 7 and comfortably beat former champion Danny King.
And his third ride was stunning. Going into the first turn he was third, but he went into a perfect place on the track to glide past Rory Schlein to take the win from the outside gate.
Lawson was off the tricky gate four in his penultimate qualifying race and finished third despite his best efforts to pass Ben Barker – but 10-points were enough to enable him to progress.
And he went straight through to the final with a third place in Heat 20 behind winner Chris Harris and Steve Worrall – his three wins were enough to get him through.
QUALIFYING SCORES: Rory Schlein 12, Richard Lawson 11, Richie Worrall 11, Jason Crump 11, Chris Harris 10, Steve Worrall 10, Drew Kemp 8, Danny King 8, Ben Barker 8, Lewis Kerr 7, Paul Starke 7, Josh Auty 5, Tom Brennan 5, Dan Thompson 3, Josh Bates 2, Joe Thompson 2, Ben Woodhull (res) 0. SEMI-FINAL: Crump, S.Worrall, Harris, R.Worrall (fell). FINAL: Schlein, Lawson, Crump, S.Worrall.
