SHEFFIELD co-promoter David Hoggart has paid tribute to his riders for their efforts in almost impossible circumstances at Berwick on Saturday.
Tigers were reduced to just four men from the early stages of the meeting at Shielfield Park, just hours after receiving the shattering news that No.1 Josh Auty had suffered a broken ankle in his World Under-21 semi-final in Slovakia.
Using rider-replacement for elbow injury victim Emiliano Sanchez at Berwick, Tigers saw guest Aaron Summers blow an engine to pieces whilst he was leading Heat 1 – but worse was to follow, with Ashley Birks crashing out of Heat 2 and then Hugh Skidmore being taken down heavily by Bandits’ Alex Edberg in the very next race.
Birks was withdrawn and Skidmore was only able to attempt one more ride before being forced to pull out on medical advice, although Tigers are hopeful that both will be able to resume at Owlerton on Thursday after rest.
The remaining riders – skipper Ricky Ashworth, Shane Parker, Simon Lambert and guest Summers then put in a sterling effort to keep Tigers in touch, and they got to within five points when Parker and Lambert collected a 7-2 in Heat 8 with Parker winning for double points.
A series of Sheffield heat wins kept them in touch but two Berwick 4-2s in Heats 10 and 14 put the home side in the clear, which left Tigers with nothing to show for their considerable efforts.
Hoggart said: “It’s too early to say what the situation is going to be with Josh, and that’s something we’ll look at in the next few days and obviously we all wish him all the best.
“Ashley and Hugh are battered and bruised and were withdrawn on medical grounds, but we don’t believe they have any breaks and so hopefully they will be back with us, along with Emiliano, on Thursday.
”I have to say that was a fantastic effort by the four riders we were left with, and to come so close to a point despite having to run five races with only one rider was remarkable under the circumstances.”
BERWICK 51: Josef Franc 12, Lee Complin 10+1, Sebastian Alden 8+2, Jade Mudgway 7+1, Kozza Smith 5+1, Alex Edberg 5, Mitchell Davey 4+2.
