Sheffield Tigers produce blistering part to secure statement Owlerton win over Leicester Lions

Seven nights on from racing to their biggest win of the season (58-32) against Northampton at Owlerton, the Tigers were completely dominant once again as they moved to within one point of their opponents inside the play-off places.

The hosts enjoyed another blistering start when they opened with seven straight heat advantages, including four 5-1s in the first five races.

The scoreline sat at 32-10 before the visitors managed their first race winner and advantage of the night as they found a 5-1 in Heat Eigh.

But the Tigers responded immediately with a maximum of their own and two further 4-2s to mathematically seal the deal with four races to spare.

Tigers team boss, Simon Stead, said: “It was another really solid win for us - but we know this will fire Leicester up even more for when we go to their place next week.

“Again it was nice to see plenty of really strong individual performances - and it was nice to see the contribution from our reserves after their disappointment at King’s Lynn on Monday, I was really pleased with that.

“I can’t really have any complaints and we thank Doyley (Jason Doyle) for coming in, really gelling in with the team and doing such a fantastic job out on track.

“Picko will need to sleep on it and see how he feels tomorrow; he’s took a hefty knock to his backside so he’s going to need to get that assessed properly.”

The Tigers travel to the Hydroscand Arena to face Leicester away next Thursday (August 13, 7.30pm) with the next action at Owlerton on Monday, August 17 (7.30pm) against King’s Lynn.

Sheffield Tigers – 57: Leon Flint 12, Josh Pickering 10, Jason Doyle 9+1, Chris Holder 7+2, Jye Etheridge 7+1, Anders Rowe 7, Luke Killeen 5+2.

Leicester Lions – 33: Ryan Douglas 11, Nick Morris 8+2, Drew Kemp 4, Joe Thompson 3+1, Dan Thompson 3, Sam Masters 3, William Cairns 1.