SHEFFIELD gained a stunning 7-2 final race win over defending champions Birmingham to take the Premier League pairs title in front of a large crowd at Somerset’s Oak Tree Arena.
Tigers skipper Ricky Ashworth went around the outside to hit the front, but it was partner Josh Auty who stole the show as he challenged Steve Johnston before he suffered an engine problem and then pushed on to challenge Brummies skipper Lyons to sensationally take second place and the title for the South Yorkshire outfit.
Birmingham qualified from group one with solid performances from veteran duo Jason Lyons and Steven Johnston while after a slow start home team pairing Cory Gathercole and Shane Parker struck back to take second place after drawing with Newcastle, the Rebels taking runners up slot by virtue of their 6-3 heat win over the Diamonds pairing.
The second semi final was a little more clearer as Sheffield and Glasgow comfortably made the semi finals with the Sheffield pairing of Josh Auty and Ricky Ashworth looking menacing.
Defending champions Birmingham progressed to the final with the Brummies edging out Glasgow 6-3 as Johnston gained victory from Travis McGowan and Lyons holding third place. In the second semi final Sheffield took a 6-3 heat win over home side Somerset as Auty and Cory Gathercole swapped places several times before the Tigers youngster got the better of Gathercole with Ashworth taking third place by half a wheel from Shane Parker.
Somerset took third place courtesy of a 6-3 heat win over Glasgow with Shane Parker taking the chequered flag ahead of Travis McGowan with Gathercole keeping Josh Grajczonek at bay.
PREMIER LEAGUE PAIRS FINAL, Somerset 1. Sheffield (Josh Auty and Ricky Ashworth) 2. Birmingham (Jason Lyons and Steve Johnston) 3. Somerset (Cory Gathercole and Shane Parker) 4. Glasgow (Travis McGowan and Josh Grajczonek)
GROUP 1 BIMINGHAM 22 (Jason Lyons 11, Steve Johnston 11), SOMERSET 20 (Cory Gathercole 10, Shane Parker 10), NEWCASTLE 20 (Kenni Larsen 10, Mark Lemon 10, KING’S LYNN 15 (Kevin Doolan 10, Kozza Smith 5), REDCAR 13 (Ben Wilson 2, Emiliano Sanchez 11)
GROUP 2 SHEFFIELD 24 (Ricky Ashworth 11, Josh Auty 13), GLASGOW 20 (Travis McGowan 9, Josh Grajczonek 11), RYE HOUSE 18 (Jordan Frampton 8, Chris Neath 10), SCUNTHORPE 18 (Magnus Karlsson 13, David Howe 5), EDINBURGH 10 (Ryan Fisher 5, Kevin Wolbert 5)
