SHEFFIELD produced one of their best performances of the season with a thrilling 51-41 win at Scunthorpe on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon.

The Tigers went into the match licking their wounds after a frustrating defeat at Newport on Sunday, but they bounced back in style and the victory over the Scorpions keeps them in the promotion play-off hunt.

It was a very close affair in the early stages with nothing much to choose between the two teams until a 5-1 from Richard Hall and Josef Franc in heat 7 put the visitors four points ahead.

And their lead was increased to six-points moments later when Hugh Skidmore took the chequered flag in heat 8 ahead of Viktor Bergstrom, with Simon Lambert just holding off a determined Jan Graversen for third place.

Things got even better in heat 9 when both Scunthorpe riders were excluded in separate incidents, leaving Ricky Ashworth and guest Alex Davies to ride unopposed for a 5-0 in a third re-start.

The Scorpions did momentarily hit back with an 8-1 courtesy of David Howe (tactical ride) and Viktor Bergstrom in heat 10, but when their lead was threatened the Yorkshire men responded in style. Josh Auty and Skidmore cruised to a 5-1 in heat 11 and then Josef Franc and Davies repeated the feat one race later.

Leading 43-31 the winning post was almost in sight and the victory was confirmed with an Ashworth and Auty 4-2 in heat 13.

SCUNTHORPE 41: David Howe 16, Carl Wilkinson 7+2, Tero Aarnio 6, Viktor Bergstrom 5+2, Magnus Karlsson 5, Jan Graversen 2, Gary Irving 0

SHEFFIELD 51: Ricky Ashworth 11, Josef Franc 9+1, Josh Auty 8+1, Hugh Skidmore 7, Simon Lambert 6+2, Alex Davies 5+2, Richard Hall 5