SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead says he couldn’t have asked for more from his makeshift side as they took a big step towards the Sports Insure Premiership Grand Final.

The Tru Plant Tigers won 50-40 at Wolverhampton on Monday - despite being without their injured top two riders of Tai Woffinden and Tobiasz Musielak.

The South Yorkshire side won 11 of the 15 races, rounding off with nine straight heat victories to help them build up the ten point advantage.

Sheffield’s smart guest selections paid off with Robert Lambert and Richard Lawson top scoring with 22 points between them while stand-in reserve Drew Kemp also came up with a big win in Heat Nine when he led home the first 5-1 of the semi-final.

Elsewhere, regular Tigers Kyle Howarth, Josh Pickering and Chris Holder also all enjoyed two race wins apiece whilst Rising Star Jason Edwards added a couple of points from the reserves race.

It was a display which now makes the Tigers huge favourites to progress from Thursday’s (September 28, 7.30) second leg at Owlerton.

And Stead couldn’t hide his pride of his riders.

“It was 100 per cent effort from every single one of the lads,” he said.

“They rode their socks off in every single heat, they battled for places when they were out of positions, consolidated clever points in other heats and they did everything and more than I could’ve asked for.

“They were fabulous on track, they’ve been a great bunch of lads all helping each other in the pits as well and we’ve seen a fantastic result because of their hard work and determination.”

Stead also praised the healthy number of travelling Sheffield supporters who made their voices heard on the Monmore Green terraces.

“The fans played their part,” he said.

“We could hear them in great numbers giving us every bit of support and that made a difference.

“We can’t thank them enough for their backing yet again - and don’t underestimate the role they can play again on Thursday at Owlerton.”

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF, SEMI-FINAL, 1st leg
WOLVERHAMPTON 40: Sam Masters 7+1, Steve Worrall 7, Ryan Douglas 6, Zach Cook 5+2, Leon Flint 5+1, Rory Schlein 5, Luke Becker 5.
SHEFFIELD 50: Robert Lambert 12+1, Richard Lawson 10+1, Kyle Howarth 8, Josh Pickering 8, Chris Holder 6, Drew Kemp 4, Jason Edwards 2.