SHEFFIELD stage their first home fixture with the tag of reigning champions on Thursday (March 28, 7.30).
It will be the first time the Tru7 Group Tigers have been back to Owlerton since that unforgettable night last October when they overturned an 18 point aggregate deficit against Ipswich to lift the top flight trophy.
ROWE Motor Oil Premiership newcomers Oxford are the visitors - and the aggregate point is also up for grabs.
The two sides met at Sandy Lane last Thursday with the Spires edging the contest 47-43.
Oxford have won both of their opening fixtures by that scoreline whilst Sheffield added their first points to the board on Monday.
The Steel City side came from ten points down at Birmingham to earn a draw before then claiming the extra league point from a Super Heat.
Team boss Simon Stead believes his side can take plenty from that display and admits they are all itching to get back on home shale.
“It’s been a long winter, we’ve got two away meetings under our belt and we can’t wait for our first home meeting,” Stead said.
“It’s good to be welcoming Oxford to Owlerton for the first time in a very long time - but it will be another test for us that’s for sure.
“In our first two away meetings, you can see a bit of rustiness through a lack of track time but you’ve seen the lads get dialled in as the meeting goes on.
“It’s been such a long time since they got any laps in at home, but because it’s a track that’s a lot more familiar to them, hopefully it won’t take as long to blow any remaining cobwebs away and hopefully we can get going from Heat One rather than mid-meeting!”
The two sides remain unchanged from last week’s clash with Polish World Cup winner Maciej Janowski at No.1 leading the Spires who also include British legend Chris Harris and three former Tigers in Lewis Kerr, Charles Wright and Nicolai Klindt.
Admission is £23 adults, £21 concessions (over 65s and students - both with evidence), £1 kids (up to and including age 17) whilst all under-5s are admitted free of charge.
Anyone who is still to renew their Season Ticket and is wanting to do so can e-mail -email- before 2pm on Thursday.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes. OXFORD: Maciej Janowski, Charles Wright, Nicolai Klindt, Chris Harris, Rohan Tungate, Lewis Kerr, Ashton Boughen.
