Sheffield Speedway Match Reports 2007

Skipper André won the battle of elbows with Ronnie Correy on the way to the first turn in heat 1 and then followed Ben home for an opening 5-1. Daniele Tessari finished last riding as rider replacement for the injured Derek Sneddon in heat 1, but stormed from the tapes to lead heat 2. Cooperman rounded him on the pits turn but Daniele came right back at him, regained the lead on the next turn and then covered all Paul's further attempts. Good race and well received. Henrik Møller was first to show in heat 3 but Birko was coasting by the second bend. Ricky took the lead with an inside pass on the pits bend. James Cockle came in to replace Cooperman and led away in heat 4. Behind him Matthew Wethers and Joel Parsons were having a terrific scrap until Matt ran out of track on the second turn and slid off. He jumped straight back on and gave chase before retiring at the end of lap 3, although failing to leave the track. Meanwhile Andrew Tully was catching Joel who had to move off his line to avoid the stationery Matt Wethers just as Andrew flashed past on the last turn. Birko has withdrawn from the meeting suffering neck problems, a legacy of his two falls at Berwick last week, and his place in heat 5 is taken by Cooperman. Ricky leads the way with Paul rounding Henrik on the second turn for a comfortable 5-1. The Sheffield Window Centre Tigers lead by 10 points at the ¹/₃ stage.

André leads heat 6 from Ben but Matt is on a charge and moves into second place with an inside pass at the end of lap 2. Henrik and William Lawson lead heat 7 but Joel gets past Will on the first lap. Close race ensues with Joel looking for a way around Henrik and Will poised to take advantage of any slip, but that's the way it finishes. Ben and Cooperman take an untroubled maximum ahead of Will Lawson in heat 8. Three riders only in heat 9 as Birko's injuries were not sustained tonight so his three programmed rides must be observed. Why he didn't just go and nudge the tapes I don't know. Time we had a team manager who knows what he's doing. Ricky did the business from the tapes. André rides shotgun behind Ben for three laps in heat 10, but then opens the throttle and leaves him standing. The Tigers now lead by 18 points.

John Campbell eventually makes a tactical move nominating Matt who comes into heat 11 as a rider replacement. Ronnie Correy leads the way and Matt dives up the inside of Joel on the third turn to take second place. Joel gives it everything he can to try and get back into contention but Matt eventually pulls clear. The crowd wait to see Ronnie wave his team mate through for the extra points but he motors right past the chequered flag to the amusement of the Tigers supporters. I bet Matt and John Campbell weren't laughing! Ricky leads heat 12 and is joined by Paul who swoops past the Monarchs exiting turn two. Daniele Tessari gives Paul a good run for a couple of laps but the Tigers take another maximum. André wins heat 13 from tapes to flag but Joel trails at the back of the field and off the pace, although he is gifted a point when Ronnie drops a chain on the very last bend. No replacement again for Birko in heat 14 but at least Reg puts Paul in to replace James C. John Campbell takes Andrew Tully out and nominates Daniele Tessari as a tactical substitute for the extra points. Paul traps well but Henrik closes in before putting in a very hard challenge on the apex of the third and fourth turns which results in Paul clattering into the safety fence. Henrik is excluded and is soundly booed off the track while Paul is soon back on his feet and able to take his place in the restart. Paul starts 15 metres ahead but Daniele quickly closes in on him. Paul is riding quite wide but Daniele only looks for an outside pass and goes too wide losing ground in the process. André and Ricky complete their maximums with ease in heat 15 and Matt Wethers is gifted a point when Ronnie suffers another last bend breakdown.

The Sheffield Window Centre Tigers take a 21 point lead to Armadale tomorrow. Will it be enough? I assume it will be rider replacement for Birko which means extra rides for Ben, James and Paul. Ben and Paul don't normally impress around there so perhaps James can step into the limelight? André normally goes well enough but we will be looking for good performances from Ricky, Joel and the team manager if we want to progress to the next round...

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