SHEFFIELD tasted defeat in the Premiership for the first time this season as they were beaten 54-36 at Wolverhampton.
The Tru Plant Tigers suffered a second half collapse in the West Midlands on the first real disappointing night this term.
It certainly didn’t look like it would turn out that way at the mid-point of the meeting when things were level after eight heats.
Tobiasz Musielak and Kyle Howarth registered heat advantages in their first two outings before a 5-1 from Craig Cook and Connor Mountain tied the scores at 24-24.
But the hosts reeled off seven successive race winners to beat the Tigers for a second time this year after their narrow League Cup victory at Owlerton earlier this month.
And having already shown their capabilities around the Monmore Green circuit earlier in the campaign, that added to the frustrations of team manager Simon Stead.
“They were better than us.
“We just couldn’t find the set-up and it was one of those nights.
“In general we all struggled a bit; Tobi still isn’t happy but scored a few points and Connor sort of did his bit at reserve, but we just struggled as a team.
“I can’t put my finger on it but will we come back better? We have to and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
The two sides do battle once again when the Tigers are next in action with the teams meeting at Owlerton on Thursday, June 9 (7.30).
WOLVERHAMPTON 54: Sam Masters 12+1, Nick Morris 12, Steve Worrall 8+2, Ryan Douglas 8+1, Drew Kemp 7+1, Luke Becker 6, Leon Flint 1.
SHEFFIELD: 36: Tobiasz Musielak 12+1, Connor Mountain 6+1, Adam Ellis 5, Kyle Howarth 4, Craig Cook 4, Jack Holder 4, Stefan Nielsen 1+1.
