BOSS Simon Stead felt his Sheffield side were made to pay for a series of slow starts as they were beaten by ten points in the first leg of their Knockout Cup Semi-Final at King’s Lynn on Thursday.

The Tru7 Group Tigers were working overtime chasing bike set-ups as they recorded just four heat wins in their 50-40 defeat in Norfolk.

It was a below-par performance from the reigning league champions that surprised Stead.

But he was glad to see his team restrict the hosts to any further advantages in the last five races to keep the gap at a more than achievable target.

“I just didn’t think we were quite at it,” Stead said.

“We got outgated on a track that didn’t necessarily lend itself well to any passing; starts were crucial and we were lacking in that department a little bit.

“Not enough winners, too many last places and it was a tough night at the office.

“But credit where it’s due, King’s Lynn were on the gas and we weren’t.

“I felt we were off it, the lads were really struggling to get into their groove and find a set-up that was working consistently so I think the fact that we managed to keep it to ten was actually a reasonable result.

“So we look forward to the home leg later in the month now and we know the job we’ve got to do.”

The decider takes place at Owlerton on Thursday, June 27 (7.30pm) where the visitors will include Grand Prix competitor Jan Kvech after he was announced as a new signing for the Stars prior to the first leg.

Meanwhile, the Tigers return to league action this coming Monday (June 10, 7.30pm) when they make the trip to Ipswich in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

PREMIERSHIP KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL, 1ST LEG KING’S LYNN 50: Nicolai Klindt 13, Patryk Wojdylo 11, Benjamin Basso 8+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 7, Richard Lawson 6+4, Simon Lambert 3, Anders Rowe 2.
SHEFFIELD 40: Jack Holder 10+1, Chris Holder 9+1, Tai Woffinden 6, Kyle Howarth 5+2, Josh Pickering 5, Jason Edwards 3+1, Dan Gilkes 2+2.