SHEFFIELD trail by 12 points at the halfway stage of the 2022 Premiership Grand Final.
The Tru Plant Tigers were beaten 51-39 by Belle Vue in the first leg at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday.
Three of the opening four races ended with a 3-3 but the hosts were able to open up a ten point lead with four advantages between Heats Five and Ten.
Tobiasz Musielak and Justin Sedgmen combined for 4-2s in both Heats Six and Nine though to limit further damage.
Robert Lambert got the better of Jack Holder in a stunning Heat 11 battle before Adam Ellis picked up his first race win in a 4-2 with Sedgmen in Heat 12.
With the visitors reduced to five men with Jye Etheridge and Charles Wright crashing out, Sheffield took full advantage of having an extra rider in Heat 14 with their only 5-1 of the night.
But Lambert and Brady Kurtz pulled off maximums of their own in Heats 13 and 15 to establish that 12 point first leg advantage.
Sheffield team boss Simon Stead said: “It’s half time, all to play for.
“It’s not a disaster by any stretch.
“I think we’ve been dealt a rough hand in a couple of heats but it’s 12 points.
“I think it sets up the Final at Sheffield on Thursday really nicely.”
The decider takes place at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday (October 13, 7.30) - and with a bumper crowd expected, advanced tickets are now on sale via: sheffield-speedway.com/ticketoffice
PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL, 1st leg BELLE VUE 51: Robert Lambert 15, Brady Kurtz 10+3, Matej Zagar 10, Tom Brennan 7+1, Norick Blodorn 6, Charles Wright 3+1, Jye Etheridge 0. SHEFFIELD 39: Tobiasz Musielak 8+1, Adam Ellis 8, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Justin Sedgmen 7+1, Kyle Howarth 4, Connor Mountain 3+1, Jack Holder 2.
