DESPITE a sensational 16-point haul from Josh Auty, Sheffield went down to a 53-39 Premier Trophy defeat at Edinburgh on Friday night.

The Monarchs, who are defending their Premier League Championship this year, were much the better all-round team and eventually ran out well-deserved winners on the night.

The Tigers made the Scottish side work for their win though, as aided by the form of Auty there were only four-points in it (20-16) after the completion of heat 6.

However, Monarchs duo Michal Rajkowski and Matt Wethers then raced to a comfortable 5-1 over Ritchie Hawkins in heat 7 after Joel Parsons had fallen, but an Auty and Chris Mills 4-2 in heat 8 did momentarily reduce the deficit to 27-21.

Edinburgh then went ten-points up with a maximum in heat 10, and a tactical ride second place from Ashworth behind race winner Wethers could only earn the Tigers a share of the points in heat 11.

Auty again took the chequered flag in a shared heat 12, but another 5-1 in heat 13 from Wethers and Fisher was enough to ensure the Monarchs left Armadale with all three trophy points.

EDINBURGH 53: Matthew Wethers 12+1, Ryan Fisher 11+1, Andrew Tully 8+2, Michal Rajkowsky 8, Thomas H Jonasson 7+1, Aaron Summers 6+1, Sean Stoddart 1+1

SHEFFIELD 39: Josh Auty 16, Ricky Ashworth 8, Richard Hall 6, Chris Mills 5+1, Ritchie Hawkins 3, Paul Cooper 1+1, Joel Parsons 0