SHEFFIELD Tigers relaunched their Premier League campaign in style with a convincing 55-38 win over Workington Comets at Owlerton on Thursday.

It was a solid all-round display by Eric Boocock’s men who would have won by a bigger margin but for the presence of their former skipper Andre Compton in the visiting side.

Tigers star Ricky Ashworth scored 10+2 from his four rides – a maximum - despite crashing in his opening ride when he hit the fence after a collision with Chris Schramm who was excluded from the rerun.

Compton won a tactical ride in Heat 11 when he took out Paul Cooper in the first turn and although Josh Auty chased him down he was able to claim the six-points – but it was a case of damage limitation for the Comets with Tigers in complete control.

Auty gained revenge, though, with a brilliant move two races later when he nipped up the inside of Compton on the last lap for a sensational last-to-first win which sent Tigers fans wild.

Richard Hall’s maximum hopes were scuppered when Compton made the start in the last heat to show he still knows the fastest way around his former track.

Hall said: “I really enjoyed the meeting, it was good to be back at Sheffield and we’re all pleased with the result. We want to climb up the table as quickly as possible.”

SHEFFIELD: Richard Hall 13+1, Ricky Ashworth 10+2, Hugh Skidmore 10, Josh Auty 9+1, Paul Cooper 8+1, Josef Franc 3, Arlo Bugeja 2+1.

WORKINGTON: Andre Compton 14, Peter Kildemand 6+1, Richard Lawson 5+1, Chris Schramm 5, Craig Cook 4+1, Rusty Harrison 3+1, Kenny Ingalls 1+1.