SHEFFIELD host Ipswich at Owlerton on Thursday (August 8, 7.30pm) in a mouthwatering ROWE Motor Oil Premiership head-to-head.
Not only is it a repeat of last year’s Grand Final, it’s a clash of the league’s current top two with the Tru7 Group Tigers having the chance to move within two points of the Witches if they can claim victory on home shale.
It’s also a dress rehearsal ahead of next month’s Knockout Cup Final - and last season’s runners-up are the only side to narrowly enjoy success in the Steel City in 2024.
With all of that in mind, it is one of the most highly anticipated fixtures on the calendar and one that Sheffield skipper Kyle Howarth reckons will be enjoyed by all supporters.
“They’ve already come and shown what they’re capable of, but we’re Sheffield and we know what we’re capable of,” he said.
“There’s no one we fear or anything like that, it’s all about what happens on the day.
“Of course we’d like to get some revenge because we didn’t like losing at home to them earlier in the season and we’d like to show them this time what we’re really about.
“It would be nice if we could get a nice, comfortable win with everyone chipping in from 1-7 to give us a good chance of going and getting the aggregate point at their place in a couple of weeks.
“But whatever happens, we’re doing alright. We’re second in the league, not far off Ipswich, we’ve got a bit of a gap over fifth and we’re in a good position.”
Sheffield’s regular riders will revert to their ‘traditional’ racing positions with Chris Harris coming in as a guest - just as he did when the Tigers beat the Witches in last year’s Grand Final at Owlerton.
Ipswich will run Rider Replacement for injured No.1 Jason Doyle whilst former Tiger Danny King is back in their line-up having missed the trip in May.
Turnstiles open at 6pm and 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.
Supporters are also reminded that the Carvery Restaurant, Panorama Room and Snack Bar will all be open as usual.
SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Chris Harris, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes IPSWICH: Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis, Emil Sayfutdinov, Dan Thompson, Danny King, Keynan Rew, Jordan Jenkins, Freddy Hodder (No.8).
