SHEFFIELD moved up to second place in the Premier League table thanks to a hard-fought win over Newcastle at Owlerton.

Tigers looked set to be in for a more than tricky night when the visitors raced into a 9-3 lead after two races – but the response from the home side was impressive.

Reserve Simon Lambert was disqualified from Heat 2 but he then put in a sensational performance to reel off five straight wins for a bumper 15-point haul.

And with Shane Parker continuing to prove that age is no barrier to success and guest Richard Hall clearly enjoying his booking back at Owlerton, Tigers had a huge majority of race winners and gradually took control of the meeting.

It was a 5-1 from Parker and Hugh Skidmore in Heat 9 which put them four points clear, Parker taking the rider-replacement outing for skipper Ricky Ashworth, and the Australian was to the fore again as he teamed up with Hall in Heat 13 for a 5-1 to leave the scores at 44-34.

Stuart Robson took a tactical ride for the Diamonds in Heat 14 but he was sent back 15 metres and only managed to overhaul Skidmore, finishing behind both Lambert and partner Kyle Newman for an unusual 4-3 race result.

Tigers just needed to avoid a 5-1 reverse in the last race to make sure of all three points from the meeting, but they finished in style thanks to Parker and Hall to further enhance their title chances.

SHEFFIELD 52: Shane Parker 15+2, Simon Lambert 15, Richard Hall 12+2, Emiliano Sanchez 5+1, Hugh Skidmore 4, Ashley Birks 1, Ricky Ashworth R/R.

NEWCASTLE 39: Stuart Robson 11+1, Lee Complin 7+1, Kyle Newman 7, Derek Sneddon 6+1, Claes Nedermark 4, Jason King 2+1, Ritchie Worrall 2+1.