SHEFFIELD'S Premier League speedway stars were sent crashing to a 56-37 defeat by Elite League champions Coventry in the first meeting of the season at Owlerton on Thursday.

The result was rarely in doubt as Coventry's superior all-round strength shone through in front of a bumper crowd - but it was a good workout for both teams.

And there was some good racing for the fans to enjoy with Tigers do Ricky Ashworth and Ben Wilson impressive early on.

Ashworth managed three wins in his 15+1 score and former Tigers star Simon Stead was the top Coventry rider on his debut for the club with 12.

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth 15+1, Ben Wilson 8, Andre Compton 6, Joel Parsons 3, Paul Cooper 3, Lee Smethills 2, Sam Martin 0.
BUILDBASE BEES: Simon Stead 12, Billy Janniro 11+2, Chris Harris 9, Stanislaw Burza 7+3, Olly Allen 7+2, Rory Schlein 6+1, Andreas Messing 4+1.

*THE teams meet again at Brandon on Friday (8pm), with Sheffield bolstering their line-up with Richard Hall and Tai Woffinden stepping in to guest.

BEES: Rory Schlein, Olly Allen, Chris Harris, Billy Janniro, Simon Stead, Andreas Messing, Stanislaw Burza.
TIGERS: Andre Compton, Richard Hall, Tai Woffinden, Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Joel Parsons, Paul Cooper.

FOLLOW THE ACTION LIVE FROM BRANDON - SpeedwayCall 09066 664 670 - 60p/min.