SHEFFIELD endured a difficult night at King’s Lynn when going down to a 59-35 Premier League defeat.

The Tigers were already operating rider-replacement for the injured Ritchie Hawkins, but finished the meeting with just four fit riders as Josh Auty and Ricky Ashworth were both injured before five races had been completed.

With King’s Lynn leading 12-6, Stars reserve Jan Graversen lifted on the first bend of heat 4 and the Dane’s out of control bike struck Auty as he entered the back-straight.

Then one race later Ashworth was also in the wars. Chris Schramm and Ashworth tangled as they entered the first bend of heat 5 and after being examined by paramedics, the Tigers skipper’s night was also over.

Both riders were taken to hospital for x-rays with Auty complaining of neck pain and Ashworth was experiencing some discomfort in his collarbone and shoulder area. The Tigers duo are now left sweating on their fitness for Thursday’s home meeting against Newcastle.

From that point onwards the remaining four fit riders always faced a difficult task, but they made King’s Lynn work for their victory and only trailed by eight-points after heat 8.

Luckless Sheffield had to go in two races with just one rider, but aided by double-point second places for Richard Hall and Joel Parsons in heats 10 and 11 the scoreline retained some respectability.

Understandably they run out of steam in the closing stages and the Tigers were out-scored 14-4 in the final three races.

KING’S LYNN 59: Darcy Ward 15, Tomas Topinka 13+2, Chris Schramm 10+1, Emiliano Sanchez 8+1, Linus Eklof 7+1, Jan Graversen 4, Darren Mallett 2

SHEFFIELD 35: Richard Hall 14, Joel Parsons 13, Paul Cooper 4+3 Chris Mills 4+1, Ricky Ashworth 0, Josh Auty 0, Ritchie Hawkins (Rider-Replacement)