WHILE the general consensus at Sheffield Tigers’ media day last week was that the bitter end to a trophy-less season was behind them, one rider broke protocol to admit he was still smarting.

“It sucks,” said Australian Jack Holder. “It lingers with me until I can get back out there.”

Entering his sixth season with Sheffield, a rider who will also compete for the world championship this year has known nothing but success in his time at Owlerton Stadium, until they fell short on three fronts last year including a controversial play-off semi-final defeat to Leicester.

“We’re close, we took it down to the last heat in the play-offs last year, that makes us more hungry for this year,” said Holder.

SECOND CHANCE: Sheffield Tigers' Jack Holder and Anders Rowe will attempt to overturn a first leg deficit against Belle Vue at Owlerton on Thursday night. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

placeholder image — SECOND CHANCE: Sheffield Tigers' Jack Holder and Anders Rowe will attempt to overturn a first leg deficit against Belle Vue at Owlerton on Thursday night. Picture: Jonathan Gawthorpe

“How do we get back to trophy-winning form? Just keep doing what we’re doing, we’re good enough, we just need to knuckle down when it comes to the pointy end of the season where it all matters.”

Sheffield have a home opener tonight against Belle Vue Aces in the second leg of their Premiership Knock-Out Cup match-up. They lost the first leg 48-42.

Holder - whose brother Chris also rides for the Tigers - said: “We always owe Belle Vue, it’s a good rivalry between the two clubs and that’s what makes it exciting when we do race each other.

“Not so much the riders, we’re all good friends off the track, it’s the fans who really get into it off the track, which makes for a great atmosphere.”