SHEFFIELD will take a four point lead into their home leg of the Premiership Play-Off Semi-Finals after winning 47-43 at Wolverhampton on Monday.
The Tru Plant Tigers produced yet another solid team display to beat a Wolves side who were on a run of four straight wins at Monmore Green.
Things didn’t get off to an ideal start when Jack Holder and Lewis Kerr conceded a first race 5-1 - but it was Sheffield’s opening pairing who drew the scores back level in Heat Five with a maximum of their own.
Wolves responded with another 5-1 to restore their four point lead but that was shortly followed by an impressive run of five successive advantages for the Tigers who opened up an eight point gap.
And despite conceding a third 5-1 in the last race to see their lead halved going into Thursday’s (October 6, 7.30) deciding leg, team boss Simon Stead was pleased with his side.
“I thought that was another really really good team performance and again it’s great to see all the lads doing their bit,” he said.
“If you’d have offered me a four point lead before the meeting I’d definitely have taken it; Wolverhampton have got a good team themselves and it’s never an easy place to come to.
“It would’ve been nice if we could’ve finished on a positive note, but I don’t want that last heat 5-1 to take the shine off anything.
“At the end of the day, we’ve come away from home in a play-off semi-final and picked up a win and it puts us in a good position on Thursday.”
Adam Ellis top scored for Sheffield, recording three races wins out of five on his way to 11+1 while four Tigers all contributed seven points apiece.
Justin Sedgmen made some quick starts away from the tapes at reserve while mid-season signing Lewis Kerr rode with a real grit and determination once again.
While Jack Holder and Tobiasz Musielak both experienced steady nights, they were still able to come up with three crucial race wins between them.
Kyle Howarth was forced to work hard for his points after bike problems in his first, while Rising Star Connor Mountain picked up three third places.
WOLVERHAMPTON 43: Nick Morris 14, Sam Masters 8+3, Steve Worrall 8, Drew Kemp 5, Luke Becker 5, Leon Flint 2, Ryan Douglas 1.
SHEFFIELD 47: Adam Ellis 11+1, Justin Sedgmen 7+2, Jack Holder 7+1, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Tobiasz Musielak 7, Kyle Howarth 5, Connor Mountain 3.
