TIGERS hold a handy 52-38 lead from the first leg of their Knockout Cup clash with the Isle of Wight on Thursday - but it could have been a bigger margin.

Eric Boocock's riders know they should have piled up more points - but Islanders adapted much better to the conditions and surprisingly led 16-14 after five heats as Tigers frittered away costly situations.

A 5-1 from man-of-the-match Joel Parsons and Ricky Ashworth in the sixth race put the home side back in front but some tenacious work by the southerners meant they were only 31-29 down after heat 10.

The tide then turned in Tigers' favour as fast-improving Sam Martin joined Ben Wilson for a second 5-1 and then Wilson teamed up with Ashworth in heat 13 to repeat the feat and make it 44-34.

Said Boocock: "We wanted a bigger advantage to take to the Island next week for the second leg, but at least our riders know they will have to be at their best. There will now be no room for error."

SHEFFIELD: Andre Compton 14, Joel Parsons 12+1, Ben Wilson 8+1, Ricky Ashworth 7+3, Sam Martin 5+1, Paul Cooper 4+1, Lee Smethills 2

ISLE OF WIGHT: Cory Gathercole 8, James Holder 7+2, Paul Fry 7+1, Glen Phillips 7, Jason Bunyan 6+1, Krzysztof Stojanowski 2+1, Andrew Bargh 1.