Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers Match Reports 2002

Thursday 31st October: Young Shield Final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								54	98	IOW Islanders								35	81
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	3	3	3			14		Danny Bird	3	2	2	3	2	3	f	15
Lee Complin	1'	1	ef	ef				2	1	Henning Bager	0	0	2	1'	1'	0		4	2
Simon Stead	1	3	2'	3				9	1	Ray Morton(c)	2	ef	2	2	1			7
Andrew Moore	3	1	3	0				7		Matt Read	rider replacement							(6)	(1)
Scott Smith	2'	3	2	ef				7	1	Adam Shields	1	2	1	1'	1'			6	2
James Birkinshaw	2'	1	1'	2				6	2	Nick Simmons	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	3	3	0	fx			9		Chris Mills	1	0	fx	2				3

 1. 61.6 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Bird, Wilson, Complin, Bager
 2. 63.2 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mills, Simmons
 3. 62.9 (4-2) (12-6 ) Moore, Morton, Stead, Mills
 4. 62.7 (5-1) (17-7 ) Ashworth, Smith, Shields, Simmons
 5. 61.5 (4-2) (21-9 ) Stead, Bird, Moore, Bager
 6. 62.4 (4-2) (25-11) Wilson, Shields, Complin, Simmons
 7. 63.5 (4-2) (29-13) Smith, Bager, Birkinshaw, Morton(ef)
 8. 63.5 (3-3) (32-16) Ashworth, Bird(t/s), Bager, Complin(ef)
 9. awd  (5-1) (37-17) Moore, Stead, Shields, Mills(fx)
10. 62.7 (3-3) (40-20) Wilson, Morton, Bager(t/s), Complin(ef)
11. 62.9 (3-3) (43-23) Bird, Smith, Birkinshaw, Bager
12. 63.3 (3-3) (46-26) Stead, Morton, Shields(t/s), Ashworth
13. 63.4 (3-3) (49-29) Wilson, Bird, Shields, Smith(ef)
14. 63.8 (2-4) (51-33) Bird(r/r), Birkinshaw, Morton(t/s), Moore
15.      (3-2) (54-35) Wilson, Mills, Bird(f), Ashworth(fx)

The track staff performed miracles after a weekend of stock cars followed by rain, rain and more rain. The resulting track did not offer good racing and any rider venturing wide was punished by the deep sticky stuff he ran into. Danny Bird sped into the lead in heat 1 and the harder Sean tried to go round him the farther he fell behind. Lee eventually went around Henning Bager on the last lap but it took a supreme effort. Andy Moore got the drop on Ray Morton in heat 3 and this time it was Simon's turn to struggle to no avail. Sean sliced under Adam Shields on the third turn in heat 6, and a split second later Lee did the same to Chris Mills, and in heat 7 Scud ran home an easy winner after carving everyone up on the first turn. Fast starting Ricky Ashworth added the name of Danny Bird to the list of illustrious victims in heat 8 as Lee Complin ground to a halt amid a shower of sparks on the first corner.

Chris Mills didn't give up until the second time he fell in heat 9, and in heat 10 the disconsolate Lee Complin only made it to the first turn before his race finished in yet another shower of sparks. Danny Bird made no mistake in heat 11, and although Simon took heat 12 the visitors Ray Morton and Adam Shields were too much for Ricky to handle. Sean sped away from Danny and Adam to claim heat 13 and put the Young Shield in the bulging trophy cabinet, before Danny and tac-sub Ray Morton trapped to lead heat 14. James was able to split them on the 3rd turn, but try as he might Andy just couldn't follow his example.

The final race of the season should have been a formality with the winners already decided. Ricky took avoiding action behind Chris Mills on turn three and was gutted to find himelf excluded. Danny Bird made another electric start in the rerun and rode high and wide where others feared to venture. He left Sean an enormous gap on the inside of the first turn for three consecutive laps, and each time Sean got closer. On the last lap Sean got ahead only for Danny to clip his rear wheel and fall in a heap. He laid on the track until Sean went over to check on him and then exploded with a flurry of punches before being wrestled away by track staff. As if this wasn't already a bad way to finish an excellent season, Danny and Chris Mills then gesticulated at the crowd winding them up on their way back to the pits, and to put a real damper on events a female paramedic was helped from the track nursing an arm injured in Danny Bird's attack.

Wednesday 30th October: Conference League (meeting staged at Loomer Road, Stoke)
Newport 'Mavericks'								32	67	Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58	113
Scott Pegler (c)	rider replacement							(6)		Ricky Ashworth (c)	3	1	3	3	2			12
Simon Walker	1	0	-	0				1		Michael Mitchell	x	0	1	0				1
Rob Finlow	2	3	1'	3	2	tps		11	1	Matt Cambridge	rider replacement							(7)	(2)
Danny Hughes	ef	0	2	2	1	1		6		Ben Wilson	2	3	3	3	3	2'		16	1
Carl Wilkinson	-	-	-	-						Rory Schlein	3	3	2'	3	3	3		17	1
Karl Mason	1	1	1	1	2			6		Luke Priest	3	1	1	1	2'			8	1
Danny Warwick	tps	2	2	2'	fx	0	0	6	1	Dave Speight	2'	1	fx	1				4	1
J. Gledhill	0	2	0	0				2

 1. awd  (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Finlow, Walker, Mitchell(fx)
 2. 69.3 (1-5) ( 4-8 ) Priest, Speight, Mason, Warwick(tps)
 3. 66.6 (3-3) ( 7-11) Finlow, Wilson, Ashworth, Gledhill
 4. 66.5 (2-4) ( 9-15) Schlein, Warwick, Speight, Hughes
 5. 67.3 (3-3) (12-18) Ashworth, Gledhill, Finlow, Mitchell
 6. 66.5 (2-4) (14-22) Schlein, Warwick, Priest, Walker
 7. 67.4 (1-5) (15-27) Wilson, Schlein, Mason, Hughes
 8. 67.6 (5-1) (20-28) Finlow, Warwick, Mitchell, Speight(x)
 9. 65.8 (2-4) (22-32) Schlein, Finlow, Priest, Gledhill
10. 67.8 (2-4) (24-36) Wilson, Hughes, Priest, Walker
11. 68.9 (3-3) (27-39) Ashworth, Hughes, Mason, Mitchell
12. awd  (1-5) (28-44) Wilson, Priest, Mason, Warwick, Finlow(tps)
13. 66.8 (1-5) (29-39) Schlein, Ashworth, Hughes, Warwick
14. 68.3 (2-4) (31-53) Wilson, Mason, Speight, Gledhill
15. 66.6 (1-5) (32-58) Schlein, Wilson, Hughes, Warwick

Queensway Meadows was unavailable and this fixture was completed at Loomer Road thanks to the Potters making their track available.

Thursday 24th October: KO Cup Final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								56	97	Hull 'CD Bramall' Vikings								34	83
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2	3	3	2			13		Robbie Kessler	2	2	1	2	2	3		12
Lee Complin	1	1'	3	2'				7	2	Emil Kramer	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	0			12	0	Paul Thorp	2	tps	1	2				5
Andrew Moore	1	1	2'	2'				6	2	Jamie Smith	0	0	x2	0				0
Scott Smith	1'	2	3	0				6	1	Garry Stead	f	3	ef	1'	1'	1		6	2
James Birkinshaw	1'	1'	f	3				5	2	Craig Branney	0	0	1	0				1
Ricky Ashworth	2	2	2'	1				7	1	Lee Smethills	3	3	3	0	1			10

 1. 61.3 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Kessler, Complin, Kramer
 2. 63.2 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Smethills, Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Branney
 3. 61.1 (4-2) (11-7 ) S.Stead, Thorp, Moore, J.Smith
 4. 63.0 (3-3) (14-10) Smethills, Ashworth, S.Smith, G.Stead(f)
 5. 61.2 (4-2) (18-12) S.Stead, Kessler, Moore, Kramer
 6. 62.8 (3-3) (21-15) G.Stead, Wilson, Complin, Branney
 7. 62.9 (3-3) (24-18) Smethills, S.Smith, Birkinshaw, J.Smith, Thorp(tps)
 8. 61.1 (5-1) (29-19) Complin, Ashworth, Kessler(t/s), Smethills
 9. 61.8 (5-1) (34-20) S.Stead, Moore, Branney, G.Stead(ef)
10. 62.4 (5-1) (39-21) Wilson, Complin, Thorp, Branney, J.Smith(2mins)
11. 62.5 (3-3) (42-24) S.Smith, Kessler, G.Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw(f)
12. 62.0 (4-2) (46-26) S.Stead, Thorp, Ashworth, Kramer(t/s)
13. 63.0 (3-3) (49-29) Wilson, Kessler, G.Stead, S.Smith
14. 63.4 (5-1) (54-30) Moore, Birkinshaw, Smethills, J.Smith
15. 62.9 (2-4) (56-34) Kessler, Wilson, G.Stead, S.Stead

After a week of rain we were blessed with a fine day, and an excellent track which could actually have done with a little more water. Sean started the ball rolling by powering past Robbie out of turn 2 in heat 1. Neither Ricky or James could live with a flying Lee Smethills in heat 2, although they did each other no favours by getting in each others way. Simon squeezed between Paul Thorp and the pit gate to win heat 3, and although Garry Stead fell on the third turn in heat 4, it was Lee Smethills again taking the chequered flag.

Simon trapped in the restart of heat 5, although Andy was lucky to avoid Emil Kramer who turned right on him on the last bend and nearly hit the fence for his troubles. Garry Stead rode brilliantly to hold off a challenging Sean Wilson to win heat 6, then Paul Thorp delighted the home crowd by demolishing the tapes in heat 7, declining to go off a handicap. His replacement Lee Smethills sped to his 3rd straight win, and at this stage half his teams total.

Then the Vikings lost the thread. Lee and Ricky left tactical substitute Robbie and the unbeaten Lee Smethills in their wake to claim a maximum in heat 8, and Simon and Andy capitalised on Garry Stead's mechanical gremlins to claim a maximum in heat 9. By the time Sean and Lee beat Paul Thorp in heat 10 the match was all but over.

Scud got the better of Robbie in heat 11 while at the back James tried everything he knew to get the better of Garry Stead before falling in a do-or-die last lap effort. Simon finished his programmed rides unbeaten as he bettered Paul Thorp in heat 12, and Sean sealed the victory with a win over Robbie in heat 13.

With the Cup won you might have thought Andy and James would take it easy, but perhaps they hadn't checked their programmes because they both battled their way past Lee Smethills to claim a maximum in heat 14. Sean and the unbeaten Simon were both slow away in heat 15 and although Sean passed Garry Stead he couldn't get on terms with Robbie while Simon tried every bit of the track to follow Sean through, but failed despite a thrilling last bend three man scrap. He may well have felt gutted but he sent home two sets of supporters happy to have witnessed such a thrilling race.

Saturday 19th October: Young Shield Semi-Final
Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters								44	76	Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								46	104
Paul Pickering (c)	1	3	3	3	3			13		Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	1	2			12
John Armstrong	rider replacement							5		Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	fx				6	2
Jan Stæchmann	1	1	2	3	3			10		Simon Stead	2'	2	1'	1'				6	3
Tony Atkin	fx	ef	ef	0	0	2		2		Andrew Moore	3	fx	2	3				8
Alan Mogridge	3	2'	3	2	2'	1		13	2	Scott Smith	2	1	1	0				4
John Cook (g)	1'	1	1'	1'				4	3	Ricky Ashworth	3	0	3	2	0			8
Will Beveridge	0	2	0	-	0			2		Ben Wilson	0	1'	1'	0				2	2

 1. 63.4 (1-5) ( 1-5 ) S.Wilson, Complin, Pickering, Beveridge
 2. 65.2 (3-3) ( 4-8 ) Ashworth, Beveridge, Cook, B.Wilson
 3. 64.9 (1-5) ( 5-13) Moore, Stead, Stæchmann, Atkin(fx)
 4. 65.7 (3-3) ( 8-16) Mogridge, Smith, B.Wilson, Beveridge
 5. 65.1 (1-5) ( 9-21) S.Wilson, Complin, Stæchmann, Atkin(ef)
 6. 65.4 (5-1) (14-22) Pickering, Mogridge, Smith, Ashworth
 7. 65.0 (4-2) (18-24) Mogridge, Stead, Cook, Moore(fx)
 8. 63.8 (3-3) (21-27) Pickering, Compton, B.Wilson, Atkin(ef)
 9. 65.3 (2-4) (23-31) Ashworth, Stæchmann, Smith, Atkin
10. 63.6 (3-3) (26-34) Pickering, Moore, Stead, Atkin
11. 64.5 (3-3) (29-37) S.Wilson, Mogridge, Cook, Complin(fx)
12. 64.9 (3-3) (32-40) Stæchmann, Ashworth, Stead, Beveridge
13. 64.0 (5-1) (37-41) Pickering, Mogridge, S.Wilson, Smith
14. 65.5 (3-3) (40-44) Moore, Atkin, Cook, B.Wilson
15. 65.0 (4-2) (44-46) Stæchmann, S.Wilson, Mogridge, Ashworth

The Tigers were favourites as they were defending a 26 point lead from the first leg. Three maximum heat wins by the Tigers from the first five heats killed off any hopes the Potters might have held of an aggregate victory but they gradually reduced the deficit and needed a 5-1 from the last heat to force a draw on the night. Sean Wilson followed Jan Stæchmann home and the Tigers claimed the away win.

Thursday 17th October: Young Shield Semi-Final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58		Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters								32
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2	3	3			13		Paul Pickering	3	0	2					5
Lee Complin	1'	1	3	1'				6	2	Jon Armstrong	rider replacement							(1)
Simon Stead	2	3	2'	3	2'			12	2	Jan Stæchmann	3	1	0	1	1'			6	1
Andrew Moore	1'	2'	3	3				9	2	Tony Atkin	0	1	3	0	3	2	0	9
Scott Smith	1	2	2	1				6		Alan Mogridge	2	2	r	3	2	1		10
James Birkinshaw	2'	0	x2	0				2	1	Chris Mills	1	0	fx	1	0			2
Ricky Ashworth	3	3	1	1'	2'			10	2	Will Beveridge	0	0	0	ef				0

 1. 63.2 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Pickering, Wilson, Complin, Beveridge(r/r)
 2. 63.1 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mills, Beveridge
 3. 63.0 (3-3) (11-7 ) Stæchmann, Stead, Moore, Atkin
 4. 63.0 (4-2) (15-9 ) Ashworth, Mogridge, Smith, Mills
 5. 62.4 (5-1) (20-10) Stead, Moore, Atkin(t/s), Pickering
 6. 62.9 (4-2) (24-12) Wilson, Mogridge, Complin, Mills(fx)
 7. 63.3 (2-4) (26-16) Atkin, Smith, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw
 8. 62.2 (4-2) (30-18) Complin, Pickering(t/s), Ashworth, Atkin(r/r)
 9. 63.1 (5-1) (35-19) Moore, Stead, Mills, Mogridge(+15, r)
10. 62.5 (3-3) (38-22) Atkin, Wilson, Complin, Stæchmann
11. 63.7 (3-3) (41-25) Mogridge(t/s), Smith, Ashworth, Beveridge(r/r), Birkinshaw(2 mins)
12. 63.6 (5-1) (46-26) Stead, Ashworth, Stæchmann, Mills
13. 62.6 (4-2) (50-28) Wilson, Mogridge, Smith, Beveridge
14. 62.8 (3-3) (53-31) Moore, Atkin, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw
15. 62.9 (5-1) (58-32) Wilson, Stead, Mogridge, Atkin

Paul Pickering shrugged Sean off his line on the first bend in heat 1 after which Sean never looked like catching him on a curiously slick looking track. Ricky sped to an untroubled win in heat 2, but James was lucky to hang onto 2nd as his machine got slower and slower over the last two laps. Steady recovered from a terrible start to claim 2nd in heat 3, but had no answer to the flying Moggo, while at the back Tony Atkin kept Andy Moore on his toes. Another big win for Ricky in heat 4 while Scud and Moggo had a four lap scrap behind, Moggo's pass on lap 2 proving decisive.

Pickers trailed off at the back in heat 5, and with Andy passing Tony on the 3rd turn the Tigers opened up a 10 point advantage. Craig Ackroyd had three attempts at starting heat 6 (with Moggo and Lee both getting flyers to no avail) and with Moggo in a comfortable lead the impressive Chris Mills then lost a chain and fell at the back. Sean went around Moggo out of turn 2 on the fourth attempt, and the irrepressable Lee Complin so nearly caught Moggo on the line. Tony Atkin breezed past Scud to claim heat 7, but the best race of the night was in heat 8. Paul Pickering passed early leader Ricky on the 3rd turn while Lee struggled to make up for a slow start. He dived under Tony Atkin out of turn 2 on the second lap and set off after the others. With a superb outside blast around the last two bends he squeezed around Pickers and brought the crowd to their feet.

Moggo went off 15 metres after taping in heat 9 and retired at the back, while Simon and Andy demonstrated some very cut-throat team riding. Tony Atkin got the better of Sean at the start of heat 10 and proved uncatchable, but by now the Potters cause was lost as Pickers was loading his van and out of the meeting with a 'recurrence of an old injury'. Moggo did Scud on the last lap of heat 11, and again on the first lap of heat 13, and Scud ended up pushing home for the point after his bike threw in the towel. Andy flew from the outside gate to a big win in heat 14 and the Tigers lead was extended to 26 points with an emphatic maximum from Sean and Simon in heat 15.

With the second leg at Loomer Road on Saturday the Tigers should be favourites to make the final.

Thursday 10th October: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								53	101	Kings Lynn Kids								37	75
Ricky Ashworth (c)	x2	3	3	2'				8	1	Ian Barney	1	2'	2	1	1			7	1
Luke Priest	2'	1	1	1				5	1	Luke Clifton	rider replacement							(5)
Matt Cambridge	r	1	2	0				3		Chris Mills (c)	3	3	0	2	3	f	3	14
Ben Wilson	1	0	1'	3				5	1	Ricky Scarboro	0	2'	1	0	1	0	1	5	1
Rory Schlein	1	2'	3	3	ef			9	1	Joe Cook	2	2	3	0				7
Ben Powell	3	r	3	2'	2'			10	2	Carl Downs	2	0	0	1				3
Trevor Harding	3	3	3	2	2			13		Tim Warnes	1'	0	0					1	1

 1. 66.0 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Powell, Priest, Barney, Scarboro(r/r), Ashworth(2 mins)
 2. 67.5 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Harding, Downs, Warnes, Powell(ef)
 3. 65.6 (1-5) ( 9-9 ) Mills, Scarboro, Wilson, Cambridge(r)
 4. 65.1 (4-2) (13-11) Harding, Cook, Schlein, Warnes
 5. 64.7 (1-5) (14-16) Mills(r/r), Barney, Cambridge, Wilson
 6. 64.2 (4-2) (18-18) Ashworth, Cook, Priest, Downs
 7. 65.3 (5-1) (23-19) Powell, Schlein, Scarboro, Mills
 8. 65.8 (4-2) (27-21) Harding, Barney(r/r), Priest, Warnes
 9. 65.4 (3-3) (30-24) Cook, Cambridge, Wilson, Downs
10. 64.0 (4-2) (34-26) Ashworth, Mills, Priest, Scarboro
11. 64.5 (5-1) (39-27) Schlein, Powell, Barney, Cook(r/r)
12. 64.7 (2-4) (41-31) Mills, Harding, Scarboro(t/s), Cambridge
13. 64.5 (5-1) (46-32) Schlein, Ashworth, Barney, Mills(t/s)
14. 65.7 (5-1) (51-33) Wilson, Powell, Downs, Scarboro(f/rem)
15. 65.1 (2-4) (53-37) Mills, Harding, Scarboro, Schein(ef)

After a shakey start the Prowlers got the bit between their teeth and ran out comfortable winners. Matt making a rare Owlerton appearance looked as if he had forgotten his way around, and he was the only Prowler not to claim a win or paid win on the night.

Chris Mills impressed as a very promising star of the future, with Joe Cook and the ever trying Ricky Scarboro also catching the eye.

Thursday 3rd October: KO Cup Semi-final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								63	100	Newcastle KBS Diamonds								37	80
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		André Compton	2	ef	2	3	2	2		11
Lee Complin	1	2'	3	2'				8	2	Richard Juul	0	1	0	0	1			2
Simon Stead	3	3	2'	3				11	1	Kenneth Bjerre	1	3	1	1	1	1'		8	1
Andrew Moore	2'	2'	3	3	ef			10	2	Kevin Little	0	1	0					1
Scott Smith	3	fx	1'	1				5	1	Davey Watt	1'	0						1	1
James Birkinshaw	2'	2	1	2	2'	2'		11	3	Wayne Carter	1	1	0					2
Ricky Ashworth	3	fx						3		Derek Sneddon	0	2	0	0	0			2

 1. 63.3 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Compton, Complin, Juul
 2. 63.4 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Carter, Sneddon
 3. 61.6 (5-1) (14-4 ) Stead, Moore, Bjerre, Little
 4. 63.3 (3-3) (17-7 ) Smith, Sneddon, Watt, Ashworth(fx)
 5. 61.8 (5-1) (22-8 ) Stead, Moore, Juul, Compton(ef)
 6. 63.2 (5-1) (27-9 ) Wilson, Complin, Carter, Watt
 7. 61.8 (2-4) (29-13) Bjerre, Birkinshaw, Little, Smith(fx)
 8. 61.2 (4-2) (33-15) Complin, Compton(t/s), Birkinshaw, Juul
 9. 62.1 (5-1) (38-16) Moore, Stead, Bjerre(t/s), Sneddon
10. 63.7 (5-1) (43-17) Wilson, Complin, Bjerre, Little
11. 63.3 (3-3) (46-20) Compton, Birkinshaw, Smith, Juul
12. 62.9 (5-1) (51-21) Stead, Birkinshaw, Bjerre, Sneddon
13. 63.4 (4-2) (55-23) Wilson, Compton, Smith, Carter
14. 63.8 (5-1) (60-24) Moore, Birkinshaw, Juul(t/s), Sneddon
15. 63.5 (3-3) (63-27) Wilson, Compton, Bjerre, Moore(ef)

With a 16 point lead from the first leg you would have thought the Diamonds would have been up for it, but they were like lambs to the slaughter. Ricky had a nasty moment in heat 4 as he reared alarmingly on the first bend and was collected by the closely following Davey Watt. Ricky spent a long time in the medical room but seems to be OK, while Davey took two rides before retiring following medical advice. The Diamonds just didn't sparkle tonight, while for the Tigers their only rider not to win a race outright finished the night being paid for 14 points!

Bring on Hull in the final!!!

Thursday 26th September: Young Shield
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								59		Hull 'CD Bramall' Vikings								31
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2	3	2			12		Robbie Kessler	3	3	3	2	0	3		14
Lee Complin	rider replacement							(4)	(2)	Emil Kramer	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	2	3	3	1'			12	1	Paul Thorp	2	1	1	3	tps			7
Andrew Moore	1	1'	2'	ef	3			7	2	Jamie Smith	0	0	1	1				2
Scott Smith	1'	3	2'	2	1			9	2	Neil Collins (g)	0	2	1	0	0			3
James Birkinshaw	1'	2'	2'	1'	2'			8	5	Craig Branney	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	2	1	3	2'			11	1	Lee Smethills	1	3	r	1	0			5

 1. 62.4 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Kessler, Wilson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Kramer
 2. 63.4 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Smethills, Branney
 3. 62.8 (4-2) (12-6 ) Stead, Thorp, Moore, J.Smith
 4. 62.9 (3-3) (15-9 ) Smethills, Ashworth, S.Smith, Collins
 5. 62.6 (3-3) (18-12) Kessler, Stead, Moore, Kramer
 6. 63.7 (4-2) (22-14) Wilson, Collins, Ashworth(r/r), Branney
 7. 64.2 (5-1) (27-15) S.Smith, Birkinshaw, Thorp, J.Smith
 8. 63.5 (5-1) (32-16) Ashworth, S.Smith(r/r), Thorp(t/s), Smethills(r)
 9. 63.8 (5-1) (37-17) Stead, Moore, Collins, Kramer(t/s)
10. 62.3 (2-4) (39-21) Thorp, Wilson, J.Smith, Moore(r/r, ef)
11. 62.7 (3-3) (42-24) Kessler, S.Smith, Birkinshaw, Collins(t/s)
12. 62.9 (5-1) (47-25) Stead, Ashworth, Smethills, Branney, Thorp(tps)
13. 62.7 (4-2) (51-27) Wilson, Kessler, Smith, Collins
14. 64.4 (5-1) (56-28) Moore, Birkinshaw, J.Smith, Kessler(ts)
15. 62.9 (3-3) (59-31) Kessler, Wilson, Stead, Smethills

The Vikings were hammered by a determined Tigers team who made light of the missing Lee Complin. Had Lee been present the margin would certainly have been greater. Heat 14 was a cracker! Jamie trapped ahead of Robbie who I assume was going to ride shotgun for him. It must have been a big shock to find himself passed, inside & and out simultaneously by Andy and James, and he never recovered. Andy then closed relentlessly on Jamie but couldn't find a way around, until he timed a brilliant 3rd bend dive to perfection on the last lap. James wasted no time in cutting back to the line exiting the last bend and pinched second place by millimetres on the line...

Monday 23rd September: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								60	97	Boston Barracuda Braves								33	83
Ricky Ashworth (c)	2	3	3	2				10		James Birkinshaw	3	3	6	1'	3	2		18	1
Luke Priest	1'	2'	f	2'				5	3	Darren Mallett	0	1	1	2	2	0		6
Matt Cambridge	rider replacement							(6)	(2)	Rob Hollingworth (c)	1	1	1	1'				4	1
Ben Wilson	3	ef	3	2'				8	1	Darren Smith	0	0	0	0				0
Rory Schlein	2'	3	3	1'	3			12	2	Peter Boast	f	1	1	0	1			3
Ben Powell	3	2'	ef	3				8	1	Dave Chadburn	0	1	0	0				1
Trevor Harding	2'	3	2	3	1			11	1	Paul Maklin	1	x2						1
David Speight	2'	2	2'	ef				6	2

 1. 63.1 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Priest, Mallett
 2. 64.9 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Powell, Harding, Macklin, Chadburn
 3. 66.0 (5-1) (13-5 ) Wilson, Speight(r/r), Hollingworth, Smith
 4. 64.2 (5-1) (18-6 ) Harding, Schlein, Chadburn, Boast(f)
 5. 63.6 (2-4) (20-10) Birkinshaw, Speight(r/r), Mallett, Wilson(ef)
 6. 63.8 (5-1) (25-11) Ashworth, Priest, Boast, Chadburn
 7. 64.8 (5-1) (30-12) Schlein, Powell, Hollingworth, Smith
 8. 64.5 (2-7) (32-19) Birkinshaw, Harding, Mallett, Priest(f)
 9. 65.6 (5-1) (37-20) Wilson, Speight, Boast, Chadburn
10. 64.5 (5-1) (42-21) Ashworth, Priest, Hollingworth, Smith
11. 63.5 (3-3) (45-24) Schlein, Mallett, Birkinshaw, Powell(ef)
12. 66.3 (3-3) (48-27) Harding, Mallett(t/s), Hollingworth, Speight(ef)
13. 64.1 (3-3) (51-30) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Schlein, Boast
14. 64.8 (5-1) (56-31) Powell, Wilson, Boast(t/s), Smith
15. 63.9 (4-2) (60-33) Schlein, Birkinshaw, Harding, Mallett

James proved his point in style. Over half his team's total, winner of four heats which was the total for the entire Boston team, including a glorious Golden Double victor in heat 8, defeating his lodger en-route. The Conference League Riders Champion certainly enjoyed his away match on his Premier League home strip. As for his team mates, well the less said the better.

Matt got snarled up in traffic following someone else's nasty crash on the M1, but David Speight weighed in with a gutsy performance as No.8 and his loss was not felt. Rory was the pick of the rest and was only denied his maximum by a determined ride from James in heat 13. If the Prowlers can keep up this momentum, and Ricky can keep them all focused, them who knows what they might achieve???

Thursday 19th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								59	110	Glasgow Tigers								31	69
Sean Wilson (c)	1'	2	3	3				9	1	George Stancl (c)	3	2	2	3	2	3		15
Lee Complin	2	1'	3	2'				8	2	Martin Dixon	0	0	0	0				0
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	3			15		James Grieves	2	0	0	0				2
Andrew Moore	ef	1	2'	1				4	1	Kenny Olsson	1'	1	1	2	0			5	1
Scott Smith	2'	3	2	fx				7	1	Mick Powell	1	3	1	2	1'			8	1
James Birkinshaw	3	2'	1'	3	1'			10	3	David McAllan	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	2'	3	1	1				7	1	Ben Wilson (g)	f	0	0					0

 1. 63.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Stancl, S.Wilson, Complin, Dixon
 2. 64.0 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, McAllan, B.Wilson(f)
 3. 61.4 (3-3) (11-7 ) Stead, Grieves, Olsson, Moore(ef)
 4. 62.4 (5-1) (16-8 ) Ashworth, Smith, Powell, B.Wilson
 5. 62.1 (4-2) (20-10) Stead, Stancl, Moore, Dixon
 6. 63.7 (3-3) (23-13) Powell, S,Wilson, Complin, McAllan
 7. 63.3 (5-1) (28-14) Smith, Birkinshaw, Olsson, Grieves
 8. 62.2 (4-2) (32-16) Complin, Stancl(t/s), Ashworth, Dixon
 9. 62.6 (5-1) (37-17) Stead, Moore, Powell, McAllan
10. 62.9 (5-1) (42-18) S.Wilson, Complin, Olsson, Grieves
11. 62.7 (3-3) (45-21) Stancl, Smith, Birkinshaw, Dixon
12. 63.3 (4-2) (49-23) Stead, Powell(t/s), Ashworth, Grieves
13. 62.8 (3-3) (52-26) S.Wilson, Stancl, Powell, Smith(fx)
14. 63.1 (4-2) (56-28) Birkinshaw, Olsson, Moore, B.Wilson
15. 63.0 (3-3) (59-31) Stancl, Stead, Birkinshaw, Olsson

The Yorkshire Tigers transpired to make life difficult in the early stages of this meeting with both Sean and Scud going off 15m handicaps in their opening rides. Scud made light of his indiscretion as he rounded Prowler Ben Wilson on lap 2, and Mick Powell on lap 3 to follow his partner home. Andy Moore had the gremlins in his corner tonight although he rode well in heat 9 passing Mick Powell out of the last bend on the second lap. Scud took a tumble in heat 13 as he lost it entering turn 3, and Sean sometimes looked as if he still isn't 100%. Simon was in brilliant form though and although he gave best to George Stancl in heat 15 you got the impression that he was riding to orders as there was no point in busting a gut when the points were already safe and sound.

The James Grieves fan club (Sheffield branch) were is ecstasy tonight as their idol didn't only make a rare Owlerton appearance, but he also managed a giddy second place in his first ride!!! Admittedly they were his only points all night and he never beat a single Sheffield rider, but he did make a good attempt to pass his team mate in heat 10 for one brief moment.

A busy weekend ahead, and a tantalizing prospect awaits if they can all get it right at the same time...

Thursday 12th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								55	95	Stoke 'Easy Rider' Poters								35	85
Robbie Kessler (g)	3	1'	r	3				7	1	Paul Pickering	1	ef	2	1	0	0		4
Lee Complin	2'	2	3	3	2'			12	2	Rob Grant	rider replacement							(5)
Simon Stead	3	3	2	3	3			14		Jan Stæchmann	0	2	1'	2	0			5	1
Andrew Moore	2'	1	1'	3				7	2	Tony Atkin	1	2	1'	0	2	2		8	1
Scott Smith (c)	2	3	2	1				9		Alan Mogridge	3	3	3	3	2	tx		14
James Birkinshaw	3	1'	1	1	1			7	1	Jon Armstrong	2	0	0	0	1			3
Ricky Ashworth	ef	0	ef					0		Will Beveridge	0	1'	0					1	1

 1. 62.1 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Kessler, Complin, Pickering(+15), Beveridge(r/r)
 2. 63.4 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Armstrong, Beveride, Ashworth(ef)
 3. 60.6 (5-1) (13-5 ) Stead, Moore, Atkin, Stæchmann
 4. 61.8 (3-3) (16-8 ) Mogridge, Smith, Birkinshaw, Armstrong
 5. 61.8 (4-2) (20-10) Stead, Atkin(t/s), Moore, Pickering(r)
 6. 62.0 (3-3) (23-13) Mogridge, Complin, Kessler, Armstrong
 7. 61.9 (3-3) (26-16) Smith, Stæchmann, Atkin, Ashworth
 8. 60.8 (4-2) (30-18) Complin, Pickering(t/s), Birkinshaw, Atkin(r/r)
 9. 61.4 (3-3) (33-21) Mogridge, Stead, Moore, Beveridge
10. 62.0 (3-3) (36-24) Complin, Atkin, Stæchmann, Kessler(r)
11. 61.7 (2-4) (38-28) Mogridge(t/s), Smith, Pickering, Ashworth
12. 62.0 (4-2) (42-30) Stead, Stæchmann, Birkinshaw, Armstrong
13. 62.6 (4-2) (46-32) Kessler, Mogridge, Smith, Pickering
14. 62.8 (4-2) (50-34) Moore, Atkin, Birkinshaw, Stæchmann(t/s)
15. 62.6 (5-1) (55-35) Stead, Complin, Armstrong, Pickering, Mogridge(tx)

Thursday 5th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								67	110	Reading Racers								23	70
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2'	2'	2'	3			12	3	Phil Morris	2	0	1	2	1			6
Lee Complin	0	3	3	3				9		Paul Clews	1'	1	x2	0	0			2	1
Scott Smith	r	3	2'	3				8	1	Dave Mullett	rider replacement							(4)	(2)
Andrew Moore	3	2'	3	2'				10	2	Andrew Appleton	2	2	1	1	2	1	r	9
Simon Stead	3	ef	3	3				9		Rusty Harrison (g)	1'	1	1	0	ef			3	1
James Birkinshaw	3	3	1	3				10		Glen Phillips	1	0	0	0	1			2
Ricky Ashworth	2'	2'	2'	1	2'			9	4	Chris Schramm	fx	0	1'	0				1	1

 1. 62.5 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Wilson, Morris, Clews, Complin
 2. 64.5 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Phillips, Schramm(fx)
 3. 62.4 (3-3) (11-7 ) Moore, Appleton, Harrison(r/r), Smith
 4. 63.9 (5-1) (16-8 ) Stead, Ashworth, Harrison, Schramm
 5. 63.4 (5-1) (21-9 ) Smith, Moore, Clews, Morris
 6. 62.4 (5-1) (26-10) Complin, Wilson, Harrison, Phillips
 7. 63.6 (3-3) (29-13) Birkinshaw, Appleton, Schramm, Stead(ef), Clews(r/r, x 2mins)
 8. 62.1 (5-1) (34-14) Complin, Ashworth, Morris(t/s), Clews
 9. 62.5 (5-1) (39-15) Moore, Smith, Appleton(t/s), Harrison
10. 62.0 (5-1) (44-16) Complin, Wilson, Appleton, Phillips(r/r)
11. 61.9 (4-2) (48-18) Stead, Morris, Birkinshaw, Clews
12. 63.9 (4-2) (52-20) Smith, Appleton(r/r), Ashworth, Phillips
13. 62.4 (5-1) (57-21) Stead, Wilson, Morris, Harrison
14. 63.4 (5-1) (62-22) Birkinshaw, Moore, Appleton, Schramm
15. 63.5 (5-1) (67-23) Wilson, Ashworth, Phillips, Appleton(r)

The Racers must have decided that their cause was lost before even setting off north and we witnessed the most inept display by any visiting side this season. Not a single Racer took the chequered flag, indeed Morris and Appleton claimed all their teams 5 second places between them. This will have helped Readings averages down, but not gained them any fans.

Ricky deserved his heat 15 nomination with some fast starting, and he has sorted his mechanical gremlins. James also looked strong, and with Andy in maximum mood it was always going to be the Tigers night. Lee got himself filled in in heat 1 and couldn't recover, and Scud bounced back from a poor start in his first race. Simon pulled up leading heat 7 on the last bend but Sean was untouchable, even when he missed the start. Can they repeat this kind of form in Wales on Saturday?

Sunday 25th August: Premier League
Glasgow Tigers								38		Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								51
George Stancl (c)	2	r	1	2	1'			6	1	Sean Wilson (c)	3	1	2	3	3			12
Martin Dixon	0	2	x	-				2		Lee Complin	1	1	0	3	1'			6	1
James Grieves	2	3	2	1'	2	1		11	1	Scott Smith	rider replacement							(7)
Kenny Olsson	0	2'	0	0				2	1	Andrew Moore	3	1	2	3	3	2'		14	1
Mick Powell	3	2	3	3	2	0		13		Simon Stead	2	fx	3	0	0			5
David McAllan	0	0	r	-				0		James Birkinshaw	3	3	3	fn	-			9
Grant MacDonald	2	0	2	-				4		Ricky Ashworth	1	1'	1	1	0	1		5	1

 1. 59.8 (2-4) ( 2-4 ) Wilson, Stancl, Complin, Dixon
 2. 60.9 (2-4) ( 4-8 ) Birkinshaw, MacDonald, Ashworth, McAllan
 3. 60.3 (2-4) ( 6-12) Moore, Grieves, Complin, Olsson
 4. 60.8 (3-3) ( 9-15) Powell, Stead, Ashworth, MacDonald
 5. 61.3 (5-1) (14-16) Grieves, Olsson, Wilson, Complin.
 6. 62.2 (2-3) (16-19) Burkinshaw, Dixon, Stancl(r), Stead(fx)
 7. 61.1 (2-4) (18-23) Birkinshaw, Powell, Moore, McAllan
 8. 61.2 (2-4) (20-27) Complin, MacDonald, Ashworth, Dixon(x)
 9. 61.3 (2-4) (22-29) Stead, Grieves, Ashworth, Olsson
10. 61.6 (4-2) (26-33) Powell, Moore, Stancl, Stead
11. 61.2 (3-3) (29-36) Powell, Wilson, Complin, McAllan(r)
12. 61.1 (3-3) (32-39) Moore, Stancl, Grieves, Ashworth
13. 61.3 (3-3) (35-42) Wilson, Powell, Stancl, Stead, 
14. 61.7 (2-4) (37-46) Moore, Grieves, Ashworth, Olsson
15. 61.9 (1-5) (38-51) Wilson, Moore, Grieves, Powell        

The visiting Tigers were without Scott Smith and rider replacement generated 7 points. The home team struggled and only managed 2 heat advantages and only James Grieves and Mick Powell were heat winners. All the visiters won at least one heat except Ricky and the win put the Tigers league aspirations back on-track.

Monday 29th July: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								64		Wimbledon Dons								26
Ricky Ashworth (c)	3	3	3	3				12		Wayne Barratt	rider replacement							(4)
Luke Priest	0	1	2'	1				4	1	Garry Sweet	1'	1'	f					2	2
David Speight	2'	r	1'	1				4	2	Martin Williams	1	2	1	2	2	1		9
Ben Powell	3	3	2	3				11		John Stevens	0	0	0	1				1
Rory Schlein	2	3	3	2'				10	1	Justin Elkins	2	3	2	3	1	ef		11
Ben Wilson	3	2'	2'	2'	3			12	3	Chris Hunt (c)	1	0	0	1	ef			2
Trevor Harding	2'	1'	3	3	2'			11	3	Roger Dickerson	0	f	1	fx				1
										Russell Payne	0	0						0

 1. 65.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Elkins(r/r), Sweet, Priest(f/rem)
 2. 65.1 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Wilson, Harding, Hunt, Dickerson
 3. 65.1 (5-1) (13-5 ) Powell, Speight, Williams, Stevens
 4. 64.4 (3-3) (16-8 ) Elkins, Schlein, Harding, Dickerson
 5. 64.8 (3-3) (19-11) Powell, Williams(r/r), Sweet, Speight(ef)
 6. 64.6 (4-2) (23-13) Ashworth, Elkins, Priest, Hunt
 7. 63.8 (5-1) (28-14) Schlein, Wilson, Williams, Stevens
 8. 63.7 (5-1) (33-15) Harding, Priest, Dickerson, Sweet(f)
 9. 65.8 (3-3) (36-18) Elkins, Powell, Speight, Hunt
10. 66.2 (4-2) (40-20) Ashworth, Williams, Priest, Stevens
11. 65.9 (5-1) (45-21) Schlein, Wilson, Hunt(t/s), Payne(r/r)
12. 67.4 (4-2) (49-23) Harding, Williams, Speight, Hunt
13. 65.2 (5-1) (54-24) Ashworth, Schlein, Elkins, Payne(r/r)
14. awd  (5-1) (59-25) Powell, Wilson, Stevens, Dickerson(f)
15. 66.1 (5-1) (64-26) Wilson, Harding, Williams, Efkins(ef)

Only the most faithful witnessed the end of this fixture which was delayed by both electrical problems and then injuries, eventually finishing well after 10pm. Garry Sweet was hospitalised after an innocuous looking overslide on the last turn of heat 8 and my best wishes go to him. When the ambulance returned all three paramedics then vacated the centre green to attend to a child thus delaying the meeting for another ten minutes!

On the track the Dons never looked like covering for the absent Wayne Barratt, although Justin Elkins demonstrated he was in a different league, until his bike started playing up that is! It was he who denied Harding, Powell and Schein (all three Aussies) their maximums. Martin Williams showed a few flashes of form but the Prowlers were in dominant mood, especially Ben Powell who rode well all evening, and maximum men Ricky and Ben Wilson.

Thursday 25th July: Premier Trophy final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								61	88	Trelawny 'Jag' Tigers								28	91
Sean Wilson (c)	2'	3	3	2'	2'			12	3	Steve Masters	1	3	ns	1				5
Lee Complin	3	1	3	2'				9	1	Tony Primmer	0	0	0					0
Scott Smith	3	1'	0	ef				4	1	Emiliano Sanchez	1	2	0	3	0			6
Andrew Moore	2'	2	3	3				10	1	Richard Wolff	0	1'	1					2	1
Simon Stead	3	3	3	3	3			15		Chris Harris (c)	fx	2	1'	1	2	1		7	1
James Birkinshaw	2'	ef	2'	1				5	2	Pavel Ondrasik	1	2	0	1	2	2'	ef	8	1
Ricky Ashworth	3	f	2'	1				6	1	Simon Phillips	ef	x2	0	0				0

 1. awd  (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Masters, Primmer
 2. 63.8 (5-1) (10-2 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Ondrasik, Phillips
 3. 64.5 (5-1) (15-3 ) Smith, Moore, Ondrasik, Phillips
 4. awd  (3-2) (18-5 ) Stead, Ondrasik, Ashworth(fx), Harris(fx), Phillips(x 2mins)
 5. 62.9 (3-3) (21-8 ) Masters, Moore, Smith, Primmer
 6. 62.6 (4-2) (25-10) Wilson, Harris, Complin, Ondrasik
 7. 62.6 (3-3) (28-13) Stead, Sanchez, Wolff, Birkinshaw(ef)
 8. 63.0 (5-1) (33-14) Complin, Ashworth, Ondrasik, Phillips, Masters(t/s, n/s)
 9. 62.8 (3-3) (36-17) Moore, Ondrasik, Harris, Smith
10. 63.9 (5-1) (41-18) Wilson, Complin, Wolff, Sanchez
11. 62.6 (5-1) (46-19) Stead, Birkinshaw, Masters, Primmer
12. 63.9 (1-5) (47-24) Sanchez, Ondrasik, Ashworth, Smith(ef)
13. 62.6 (5-1) (52-25) Stead, Wilson, Harris, Phillips
14. 62.7 (4-2) (56-27) Moore, Harris(t/s), Birkinshaw, Sanchez(GOLDEN DOUBLE)
15. 63.1 (5-1) (61-29) Stead, Wilson, Harris, Ondrasik(ef)

So near, and yet so far! The Pirtek Tigers can look to two machine failures and a silly fall, all in scoring positions, which accounted for their downfall on the night, but really the criticism should all lay at their inept performance on Tuesday.

Everyone at Owlerton knows that Scud struggles at most away tracks so his score on Tuesday was not a surprise, but the youngsters who are supposed to be stealing his heat leader slot weren't much better. Andy's home performance was his best of the season so his solitary point on Tuesday must take some explaining, while Lee is barely fit folowing his recent smash. Simon rode to an imperious maximum tonight, but carded 'nill point' from his last two at St. Austell two days ago.

Ricky is good on the tricky little ones while still learning the ropes at home, but was another who failed to beat an opponent down south, while James who rode some blinders tonight including passing Chris Harris on the last turn in heat 11, failed to open his account in the quarry. While I'm passing criticism I will also ask why, after a brilliant last to second ride in heat 11, wasn't James given Ricky's ride in heat 12? See, even our team manager let us down.

Lee couldn't get his bike going for the start of heat 8 and it was Scud who rushed his bike onto the track just in time, so it was Scud's bike that was picked out of the fence after Lee and Steve Masters tangled on the first turn. I wonder if that had anything to do with Scud failing to score any more points?

Having criticized just about everyone at Owlerton my congratulations go to the Trelawny management who played a blinder by using rider replacement for Spunky Stephens on Tuesday (scoring 9) while his replacement Tony Primmer was not only there, but rode after the meeting. Had he taken his place in the team on Tuesday it is safe to say they Trelawny would not now be the Trophy holders.

Monday 22nd July: Conference League
Sheffield PIRTEK Prowlers								60	92	Rye House Raiders								30	88
Ricky Ashworth (c)	3	3	3	3	3	3		18		Simon Wolstenholme	1'	0	1	2	0	0		4	1
Luke Priest	0	0	1					1		Edward Kennett	2	1	0	0				3
Matt Cambridge	rider replacement							(9)	(1)	Daniel Giffard	2'	1'	f	0				3	2
Ben Powell	0	2'	2'	2'				6	3	Scott Courtney	3	2	2	1	1			9
Rory Schlein	3	3	3	3	1	2'		15	1	Barrie Evans	rider replacement							(6)	(1)
Ben Wilson	1	1	1	2'	1	2'		8	2	James Cockle	2	2	0	f	0			4
Trevor Harding	3	0	3	3	3			12		Steve Boxall	0	1'	2	2	1	1		7	1

 1. 65.5 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Wolstenholme, Kennett, Priest
 2. 66.9 (4-2) ( 7-5 ) Harding, Cockle, Wilson, Boxall
 3. 65.1 (1-5) ( 8-10) Courtney, Giffard, Wilson(r/r), Powell
 4. 64.9 (3-3) (11-13) Schlein, Courtney(r/r), Boxall, Harding
 5. 64.7 (5-1) (16-14) Ashworth(r/r), Powell, Kennett, Wolstenholme
 6. 65.2 (3-3) (19-17) Ashworth, Cockle, Giffard(r/r), Priest
 7. awd  (4-2) (23-19) Schlein, Courtney, Wilson, Giffard(f)
 8. 65.3 (4-2) (27-21) Harding, Boxall, Priest, Kennett
 9. 64.8 (5-1) (32-22) Schlein(r/r), Powell, Wolstenholme(r/r), Cockle
10. 65.1 (5-1) (37-23) Ashworth, Wilson, Courtney, Giffard
11. 64.1 (4-2) (41-25) Schlein, Wolstenholme, Wilson, Kennett(f)
12. 65.2 (5-1) (46-26) Harding, Powell(r/r), Courtney(t/s), Cockle(f)
13. 65.0 (4-2) (50-28) Ashworth, Boxall, Schlein, Wolstenholme
14. 64.3 (5-1) (55-29) Harding, Wilson, Boxall, Wolstenholme(t/s)
15. 65.3 (5-1) (60-30) Ashworth, Schlein, Boxall, Cockle

Two points down after 4 heats did not bode well for any chance of wresting the bonus point from the Raiders who held a commanding 26 point lead from the first leg. As the drizzle died away so did the Raiders commitment and Ricky set a true Captain's example to inspire his young team-mates to an emphatic victory. Rory Schlein dropped his only point to an impressive looking Steve Boxall, but aside from a poor heat 4 when he missed the start and never looked like making up lost ground Trevor Harding was the match winner taking the chequered flag on four occasions with some forceful first turns.

Ben Powell looked ill at ease first time out but recovered to feature in three 5-1's, and Ben Wilson rode steadily to a paid 10 return. For the Raiders Scott Courtney won heat three in great style, but went steadily downhill thereafter. James Cockle, Daniel Giffard and Edward Kennett all took tumbles while trailing the field, without serious injury, and Simon Wolstenholme belied any suggestion that he had ever seen Owlerton before let alone having once been a Tiger. Steve Boxall really got to grips with the wide open spaces and rode an impressive line to deny Rory Schlein his maximum in heat 13. Another youngster to watch out for...

Thursday 18th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								54	98	IOW Islanders								36	82
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2	3	3	3			14		Danny Bird	2	r	2	1'	1'	0		6	2
Lee Complin	rider replacement							(6)	(1)	Matt Read	0	1	0	1				2
Scott Smith	1'	3	3	2	3	1		13	1	Craig Watson (g)	3	3	2	2	r			10
Andrew Moore	1	2	2'	1'	2'			8	3	Henning Bager	0	0	0					0
Simon Stead	3	2	3	0				8		Adam Shields	2	3	3	2	2	2		14
James Birkinshaw	0	1'	1	0	3			5	1	Nick Simmons	2	0	0					2
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1'	1	f			6	1	Gary Phelps	1'	0	1'					2	2

 1. 62.1 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Bird, Moore(r/r), Read
 2. 64.4 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Ashworth, Simmons, Phelps, Birkinshaw
 3. 62.5 (3-3) (10-8 ) Watson, Moore, Smith, Bager
 4. 61.9 (4-2) (14-10) Stead, Shields, Ashworth, Phelps
 5. 63.6 (5-1) (19-11) Smith, Moore, Read, Bird(r)
 6. 62.6 (3-3) (22-14) Shields, Wilson, Ashworth(r/r), Simmons
 7. 63.5 (3-3) (25-17) Watson, Stead, Birkinshaw, Bager
 8. 63.5 (4-2) (29-19) Smith(r/r), Bird(t/s), Ashworth, Read
 9. 63.5 (3-3) (32-22) Shields, Smith, Moore, Simmons
10. 63.5 (4-2) (36-24) Wilson, Watson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Bager
11. 63.7 (3-3) (39-27) Stead, Shields(t/s), Bird, Birkinshaw
12. 64.6 (3-3) (42-30) Smith, Watson, Phelps, Ashworth(f)
13. 64.4 (3-3) (45-33) Wilson, Shields, Bird, Stead
14. 65.0 (5-1) (50-34) Birkinshaw, Moore, Read(t/s), Watson(t/s, r)
15. 64.5 (4-2) (54-36) Wilson, Shields, Smith, Bird

Another big win for the Tigers on home shale, and having lost by just 2 on Tuesday the bonus takes us top of the league. Danny Bird was not on his usual Owlerton form, but Craig Watson made up for that by out-performing the rider he was replacing.

The Tigers missed the potential of Lee Complin who was taking it easy in the hope that he will be fit enough to ride in the 4's at Coventry on Sunday.

Latest news on the Prowlers is that following his short-sharp-shock Trevor Harding returns for Mondays match against the Rye House Rockets. With a 26 point defecit from the first leg we need all the scoring power we can muster. Let's hope his bike gremlins have been chased away.

Thursday 11th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								66		Exeter Falcons								24
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		Seemond Stephens (g)	1	2	0	1	1			5
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	ns				6	2	Roger Lobb	0	0	0	0				0
Scott Smith	3	3	2	3	2'			13	1	Mark Simmonds	1	1	2	2	1	0		7
Andrew Moore	2'	1	1'	2'				6	3	Krister Marsh	0	0	1'					1	1
Simon Stead	3	3	3	2'				11	1	Michael Coles	2	1	3	3	0	1		10
James Birkinshaw	3	2'	2'	3				10	2	Jason Prynne	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	2'	1	1'	f	1			5	2	Matt Cambridge	1	0	0					1

 1. 62.9 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Stephens, Lobb
 2. 64.0 (5-1) (10-2 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Cambridge, Prynne
 3. 64.5 (5-1) (15-3 ) Smith, Moore, Simmonds, Marsh
 4. 63.3 (4-2) (19-5 ) Stead, Coles, Ashworth, Cambridge
 5. 63.9 (4-2) (23-7 ) Smith, Stephens, Moore, Lobb
 6. 63.8 (5-1) (28-8 ) Wilson, Complin, Coles, Prynne
 7. 63.8 (5-1) (33-9 ) Stead, Birkinshaw, Simmonds, Marsh
 8. 64.1 (3-3) (36-12) Coles(t/s), Complin(+15), Ashworth, Lobb
 9. 64.0 (3-3) (39-15) Coles, Smith, Moore, Stephens(t/s)
10. 64.1 (3-3) (42-18) Wilson, Simmonds, Marsh, Ashworth(f), Complin(f, n/s)
11. 63.8 (5-1) (47-19) Stead, Birkinshaw, Stephens, Lobb
12. 64.8 (4-2) (51-21) Smith, Simmonds, Ashworth, Prynne
13. 64.0 (5-1) (56-22) Wilson, Stead, Stephens, Coles
14. 64.5 (5-1) (61-23) Birkinshaw, Moore, Simmonds(t/s), Cambridge
15. 64.4 (5-1) (66-24) Wilson, Smith, Coles, Simmonds

This nothing meeting was marred by a nasty accident in heat 10. Lee Complin got tangled with Mark Simmonds rear wheel on the first corner, which straightened him up, pointed him towards the fence and then chucked him over the handlebars. Lee hit the fence hard, head down, back first, and his body whiplashed over the top of the fence and back. Lee got to his knees before collapsing on the track. He was taken straight to hospital complaining of pains in his neck.

Neil Machin went to the hospital straight after the meeting, only to find that Lee had amazingly already been sent home! He is battered and bruised but luckily has no broken bones. What a relief!

A brief mention must go to James for another maximum from the reserve berth, and for Michael Coles who was the Falcon's only race winner. Another good show from Scud, and a very welcome return by Steady who looked straight back on to the pace.

 1. 64.1 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) A.Collins, Ashworth, Priest, Belfield
 2. 64.8 (4-2) ( 7-5 ) Wilson, Wright, Powell, Derbyshire
 3. 65.9 (1-5) ( 8-10) C.Collins, Beveridge, Speight, Blackman
 4. 65.3 (3-3) (11-13) Ashworth(r/r), Armstrong, Wright, Powell
 5. 64.6 (1-5) (12-18) A.Collins, Belfield, Blackman(+15), Speight(fx)
 6. 64.5 (3-3) (15-21) Armstrong, Ashworth, Priest, Derbyshire
 7. 65.1 (3-3) (18-24) C.Collins, Wilson, Powell(r/r), Beveridge(X)
 8. 67.4 (4-2) (22-26) Ashworth, Belfield, Powell(pushed), Wright(f)
 9. 65.7 (3-3) (25-29) Armstrong, Speight, Blackman, Derbyshire
10. 65.3 (3-3) (28-32) Ashworth, C.Collins, Beveridge, Priest
11. 65.3 (4-2) (32-34) Wilson, A.Collins, Priest, Belfield
12. 65.4 (3-3) (35-37) Wilson, C.Collins, Derbyshire, Powell(ef)
13. 65.4 (3-3) (38-40) Ashworth, A,Collins, J.Armstrong, Speight(r/r)
14. 65.9 (1-5) (39-45) Wright, Beveridge, Speight, Wilson(ef)
15. 66.4 (4-2) (43-47) Ashworth, C.Collins, Wilson, A.Collins

Ok. The Prowlers home record has fallen, but they all rode their hearts out. Injuries and Premier League commitments conspired to give the Prowlers their weakest line-up of the season which the four star Hitmen took full advantage of.

Trevor Harding has been dropped from the team following repeated warnings about his behaviour. Late nights and other issues have led to a drop in form and very poor machine preparation, and frankly the management have reached the end of their tether with this rather irresponsible youngster. No doubt the situation will be reviewed when his parents join him in the near future. Trevor isn't the only youngster who is currently under review...

Friday 5th July: Premier League
Arena Essex								44		Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								45
Kelvin Tatum	3	3	3	1	3			13		Sean Wilson (c)	2	2	3	2'				9	1
Shaun Tacey	0	2'	0	2'				4	2	Lee Complin	1'	1'	3	2'	1			8	3
Colin White	3	3	0	3	2'			11	1	Scott Smith	2	1'	1	1				5	1
Andy Galvin	1	0	1	0				2		Andrew Moore	0	2	0	3				5
Leigh Lanham	2	3	1	0				6		Brent Werner (g)	3	1	3	3				10
Scott Courtney	r	r	0					0		Ricky Ashworth	r	x	2'	x				2	1
Lee Herne	3	0	1	2'	2			8	1	James Birkinshaw	2	1	2'	1	0			6	1

 1. 60.2 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Tatum, Wilson, Complin, Tacey
 2. 63.2 (3-2) ( 6-5 ) Herne, Birkinshaw, Courtney (ef), Ashworth (ef)
 3. 62.7 (4-2) (10-7 ) White, Smith, Galvin, Moore
 4. 61.6 (2-4) (12-11) Werner, Lanham, Birkinshaw, Herne
 5.      (3-3) (15-14) White, Wilson, Complin, Galvin
 6. 61.2 (5-1) (20-15) Tatum, Tacey, Werner, Ashworth(x)
 7. 61.7 (3-3) (23-18) Lanham, Moore, Smith, Courtney(ef)
 8. 62.2 (1-5) (24-23) Complin, Birkinshaw, Herne, Tacey
 9. 61.8 (1-5) (25-28) Werner, Ashworth, Galvin, White
10. 61.7 (5-1) (30-29) Tatum, Tacey, Smith, Moore
11. 61.6 (1-5) (31-34) Wilson, Complin, Lanham, Courtney
12. 62.5 (5-1) (36-35) White, Herne, Smith, Ashworth(x)
13. 61.8 (1-5) (37-40) Werner, Wilson, Tatum, Lanham
14. 62.7 (2-4) (39-44) Moore, Herne, Birkinshaw, Galvin
15. 62.2 (5-1) (44-45) Tatum, White, Complin, Birkinshaw

That should raise a few eyebrows! The Tigers race to their first ever victory at Perfleet thanks to a good all-round team effort. Guest Brent Werner did a stirling job deputizing for Simon and compensated for Ricky's engine troubles and over enthusiastic riding which gained him 2 exclusions. Andy Moore's heat 14 win, along with James' vital point gave the Tigers an unbeatable position, and Lee Compin was the man to score the crucial point to seal victory in the last heat.

Thursday 4th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								65		Somerset Rebels								25
Sean Wilson (c)	f	3	3	3	3			12		Mario Jirout	2	1	1'	0	1			5	1
Lee Complin	3	2'	3	2'	2'	3		15	3	Graeme Gordon	1'	0	0					1	1
Scott Smith	3	3	3	3	3	2'		17	1	Rusty Harrison (g)	2	2	1	r	2	ef		7
Andrew Moore	1	2'	1	3	2'			9	2	Steve Bishop (c)	0	0	1	1				2
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(11)	(1)	Glenn Cunningham	2	1	2	2	1			8
James Birkinshaw	3	1	2'	3				9	1	Adam Allott	x	1'	0	0	0	0		1	1
Ricky Ashworth	2'	ef	0	1				3	1	Shane McCabe	1							1

 1. 63.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Complin, Jirout, Gordon, Wilson(f)
 2. awd  (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, McCabe, Allott(fx)
 3. 64.9 (4-2) (12-6 ) Smith, Harrison, Moore, Bishop
 4. 63.9 (3-3) (15-9 ) Wilson(r/r), Cunningham, Allott, Ashworth(ef)
 5. 64.5 (5-1) (20-10) Smith, Moore, Jirout, Gordon
 6. 63.1 (5-1) (25-11) Wilson, Complin, Cunningham, Allott
 7. 64.1 (4-2) (29-13) Smith(r/r), Harrison, Birkinshaw, Bishop
 8. 63.5 (5-1) (34-14) Complin, Birkinshaw, Harrison(t/s), Gordon
 9. 63.6 (4-2) (38-16) Smith, Cunningham, Moore, Allott
10. 63.0 (5-1) (43-17) Wilson, Complin, Harrison, Bishop
11. 63.5 (3-3) (46-20) Moore(r/r), Cunningham(t/s), Jirout, Ashworth
12. 65.6 (4-2) (50-22) Smith, Harrison, Ashworth, Allott(+15)
13. 64.1 (5-1) (55-23) Wilson, Complin(r/r), Cunningham, Jirout(+15)
14. 67.2 (5-1) (60-24) Birkinshaw, Moore, Bishop, Allott
15. 66.5 (5-1) (65-25) Complin, Smith, Jirout, Harrison(ef)

Quite the most inept display by a visiting side this season. The Rebels were strengthened by the inclusion of Rusty Harrison deputizing for the injured Owlerton specialist (NOT!!) Neville Tatum, but still contrived not to get a single rider home in first place. Adam had a nightmare follow up to his triumphant home debut when he was filled in on the first lap of heat 2, lost his bearings, and collided with his team mate who had to withdraw from the meeting with an injured shoulder. Rusty spat his dummy in heat 8 when Lee sped through the narrow gap between Rusty and the fence and knocked Rusty's hand off the throttle, allowing James through into second place. The less said about Graeme and Steve the better, but Mario deserves a mention for his couldn't-give-a-shit attitude which saw him pulling wheelies while stone-dead last in his last two races.

The Tigers shrugged off Ricky's engine troubles and Sean's strange first race fall to claim all 15 heat winners. Scud was in resplendant form, and even Andy managed to claim paid 11, only beaten by Rusty and Glenn Cunningham. Not a classic by any measure, but 2 more points in the bag.

 1. 65.1 (2-4) ( 2-4 ) Hall, Priest, Bragg, Ashworth(fx)
 2. 66.5 (1-5) ( 3-9 ) Robertson, Compton, Powell(+15), Harding(x)
 3. 66.4 (5-1) ( 8-10) Schlein, Wilson, Shield, Lawson
 4. 67.3 (3-3) (11-13) Branney, Cambridge, Harding, Compton, Powell(2mins)
 5. 65.6 (4-2) (15-15) Schlein, Hall, Wilson, Bragg(fx)
 6. 66.7 (1-5) (16-20) Robertson, Branney, Ashworth, Priest
 7. 66.7 (5-1) (21-21) Cambridge, Harding, Shield, Lawson
 8. 67.5 (3-3) (24-24) Priest, Compton, Robertson(res), Powell(+15)
 9. 67.7 (4-2) (28-26) Wilson, Robertson, Schlein, Branney
10. 67.7 (5-1) (33-27) Ashworth, Priest, Shield, Lawson
11. 68-4 (3-3) (36-30) Hall, Cambridge, Harding, Bragg
12. 69.2 (2-4) (38-34) Roberton, Harding, Shield, Powell(2mins), Schlein(2mins)
13. 67.6 (3-3) (41-37) Hall, Ashworth, Cambridge, Branney(fx)
14. 68.5 (4-2) (45-39) Wilson, Compton, Harding, Lawson
15. 68.0 (3-3) (48-42) Hall, Wilson, Ashworth, Robertson 

The best meeting of the year as the Prowlers are caught wrong footed by a Gems side who are visibly growing in confidence, led by the inspirational Richard Hall. Ricky's rear tyre exploded in heat 1 and dumped him in the middle of the track causing both Richard and Luke to collide with him, luckily without injury. Trevor was left at the tapes in heat 2 and Ben can consider himself lucky as the ref stopped the race an instant before he shed his chain. Perhaps he felt guilty about being in the rerun because he then touched the tapes and found himself with too much to do off a 15 metre handicap. Rory, making his return after a knee operation, and Ben Wilson made light work of heat 3 to pull us back to just 2 points down, and when Rory shrugged off Richard Hall's challenges in heat 5 we were back level, and Phil Bragg's bike was a goner after he wrote off the front end into the 2nd bend fence.

The Gem's were having none of this and Jamie Robertson and Craig Branney teamed up for a maximum heat win agaist skipper Ricky to go back in front, although Matt and Trevor replied in kind in heat 7. Ben Powell taped again in heat 8 due to clutch problems, but Luke Priest rode an inch perfect line to claim a shared heat. Heat 9 was a cracker as Ben Wilson and Jamie Robertson had a storming 4 lap battle, with the lead changing hands so many times I lost track, and to cap it all Rory summoned up all his flagging stamina into a wide last bend blast to pip Craig Branney on the line for 3rd place. Ricky and Luke extended the lead to 6 in heat 10, while Richard Hall won heat 11 comfortably.

Both Prowlers failed to beat the 2 minute time allowance in heat 12, and Jamie Robertson rounded lone reserve Trevor Harding off turn 4 on the second lap to narrow the defecit to 2. Richard Hall passed the skipper to lead heat 13, but Craig Branney fell trying to pass Matt. In the rerun Richard and Ricky had a rare old tussle before the Gem's captain made a sweet outside swoop off the very last bend to steal the win. Heat 14 was another belter. Trevor led down the back straight on lap 1, with Ben making up a place wide off turn 2. Ben found himself baulked by Benji into turn 3, and having to shut off he let William Lawson (on Craig Branney's bike) through as well. He recovered to pass Will out of turn 4, but by now Benji had passed Trevor to take the lead. Ben made up the lost ground with a lovely inside run out of turn 4, and went into the lead with an inside pass on turn 1, only for Benji to wind it on even more and regain the lead out of turn 4. Ben once again made an inside pass on turn 1, and this time made it stick all the way to the line. Brilliant speedway! This guy's going to keep us entertained for years to come. If you don't believe me come and see for yourself!!! After a ride like that he had to be nominated for heat 15, but his 3rd bend dive which took him briefly into the lead ended up taking his skipper's own line and handed the win to the Gem's impressive skipper.

The best match of the season with the youngsters showing impressive determination to recover from early setbacks despite not being able to rely on their two Aussie reserve trump cards. If anyone is reading this who didn't make it tonight then read my lips... THESE KIDS ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY OF THE ADMISSION MONEY AND DESERVE MUCH BETTER SUPPORT. COME DOWN AND CHEER THEM ON AS THEY CHASE ANOTHER CONFERENCE LEAGUE TITLE.

Thursday 27th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58	101	Rye House SilverSki Rockets								32	79
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	2			14		André Compton (g)	2	3	2	1'	3	3		14	1
Lee Complin	1	2'	3	2'	1'			9	3	Scott Swain	0	1	1'	0	1			3	1
Scott Smith	3	2	3	3				11		Scott Robson	1	1	1	1				4
Andrew Moore	2'	0	1	0				3	1	Mark Courtney	0	0	0					0
Peter Carr (g)	2	2'	3	ef				7	1	Nigel Sadler	3	1	2	2	2	0		10
James Birkinshaw	2'	3	1	2				8	1	Chris Courage	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	3	1'	0	2'				6	2	David Mason (c)	1	0	0					1

 1. 63.1 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Compton, Complin, Swain [photo]
 2. 64.7 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mason, Courage [photo]
 3. 65.1 (5-1) (14-4 ) Smith, Moore, Robson, Courtney [photo]
 4. 63.9 (3-3) (17-7 ) Sadler, Carr, Ashworth, Mason [photo]
 5. 63.1 (2-4) (19-11) Compton, Smith, Swain, Moore [photo]
 6. 63.2 (5-1) (24-12) Wilson, Complin, Sadler, Courage [photo]
 7. 64.1 (5-1) (29-13) Birkinshaw, Carr, Robson, Courtney [photo]
 8. 63.8 (3-3) (32-16) Complin, Sadler(t/s), Swain, Ashworth
 9. 64.3 (4-2) (36-18) Smith, Sadler, Moore, Courage
10. 63.2 (5-1) (41-19) Wilson, Complin, Robson, Courtney
11. 62.8 (4-2) (45-21) Carr, Compton, Birkinshaw, Swain
12. 65.1 (5-1) (50-22) Smith, Ashworth, Robson, Mason
13. 63.6 (3-3) (53-25) Wilson, Sadler, Compton, Carr(ef)
14. 64.9 (2-4) (55-29) Compton(t/s), Birkinshaw, Swain(t/s), Moore
15. 64.6 (3-3) (58-32) Compton, Wilson, Complin, Sadler

The scoreline does not reflect what a good meeting this was. Although the Rockets were never in with a shout there were nevertheless some cracking races and lots of aggressive action. Sean won convincingly first time out with guest André Compton holding off the ever pressing Lee Complin. Heat 2 saw James Birkinshaw bring the house down. Having touched the tapes James went off a 15 metre handicap and passed Chris Courage on the second lap, and then closed down David Mason before passing him on the next lap. Andy Moore went around Scott Robson at the end of lap 1 to follow Scud home in heat 3, while PC and Nigel Sadler passed and re-passed one another in heat 4. André dived past Scud to win heat 5, and Lee Complin rounded Nigel Sadler to follow Sean home in heat 6. PC team rode James for another maximum in heat 7, and Lee Complin recovered from a terrible start to pass Scott Swain in heat 8. He then chased Nigel Sadler, pulling alongside as he cut inside off turn 4 on the penultimate lap and taking the lead out of turn 2.

Nigel claimed some revenge by diving past Andy Moore in the next but he couldn't pass Scud. Lee once again had to pick up a place in heat 10, and had to move very wide to get past Scott Robson who nearly collected him into the first turn on the next lap. PC trapped to win heat 11, but James had the audacity to pass both André and Scott Swain on the same bend. André forced his way back into second place but James had him looking over his shoulder all the way to the line. Scud and Ricky team rode to another maximum in heat 12, and the battle of the big guns looked like finishing the same way. Sean passed Nigel on the first lap, and PC came from last to pass both André and Nigel before suffering a cruel engine failure on the last lap. Double tactical substitutes André and Scott Swain led heat 14, but James wasted no time in picking them both off. André and James then had a battle royal before André took him right to the fence on the third lap. Sean led heat 15 but was passed inside and out by André and Nigel in heat 15. Although he recovered to pass Nigel he just couldn't find his way past André while at the back Lee picked off Nigel.

A good solid display by the Tigers and special thanks to PC for a rare guest appearance.

Thursday 20th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								52	96	Newcastle KBS Diamonds								39	85
Sean Wilson (c)	1	3	3	3	3			13		Paul Thorp (c)	2	3	0	0				5
Lee Complin	3	2'	3	1	2'			11	2	Jamie Smith	0	2'	2					4	1
Scott Smith	2	1	r	3				6		Robbie Kessler	3	1	2	2	2			10
Andrew Moore	r	r	2	r				2		Ross Brady	1	3	1	0	3	0		8
Craig Watson (g)	3	2	3	1				9		Garry Stead	2	1	3	2	2	1		11
James Birkinshaw	2'	0	1	2				5	1	Craig Branney	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1	1				6		Lee Smethills	r	0	0					0

 1. 62.2 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Complin, Thorp, Wilson, J.Smith
 2. 63.0 (5-1) ( 9-3 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Branney, Smethills
 3. 62.7 (2-4) (11-7 ) Kessler, S.Smith, Brady, Moore(r)
 4. 61.6 (4-2) (15-9 ) Watson, Stead, Ashworth, Smethills
 5. 63.1 (1-5) (16-14) Thorp, J.Smith, S.Smith, Moore(r)
 6. 63.3 (5-1) (21-15) Wilson, Complin, Stead, Branney
 7. 62.5 (2-4) (23-19) Brady, Watson, Kessler, Birkinshaw
 8. 63.2 (4-2) (27-21) Complin, J.Smith, Ashworth, Smethills
 9. 63.5 (2-4) (29-25) Stead, Moore, Brady(t/s), S.Smith(r)
10. 62.5 (4-2) (33-27) Wilson, Kessler, Complin, Brady
11. 63.2 (4-2) (37-29) Watson, Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw, Thorp
12. 64.1 (4-2) (41-31) Smith, Kessler, Ashworth, Branney
13. 63.4 (4-2) (45-33) Wilson, Stead, Watson, Thorp
14. 64.1 (2-5) (47-38) Brady, Birkinshaw, Kessler(GOLDEN DOUBLE), Moore(r)
15. 64.0 (5-1) (52-39) Wilson, Complin, Stead, Brady

A nightmare evening for Andy Moore, and Scud stopped twice while in the lead, but at the end of the day it was the Vikings whose ships were ablaze and whose women-folk were weeping. Sean had to follow Thorp home in heat 1, but a change of kevlars worked miracles and he never looked in trouble for the rest of the evening. Lee dropped a point (shock!), but wouldn't you know it would take an Owlerton specialist to achieve that, and let's face it Robbie does know his way around our strip.

Scud bounced back from an engine failure and a puncture and passed Robbie to win heat 12 and he is looking a much more compact and tidy rider these days. The less said about Andy's evening the better as he only once managed more than half a lap, but he passed Ross Brady the one time his bike did go the distance. Craig was an excellent guest and his best moment was his dive under Thorp on the 3rd bend, lap 2, heat 13. He's welcome back anytime he likes.

Ricky made some lightening starts and is improving week on week, but meeting sponsor Jeff Hall's nomination for "Man of the Match" has my full support as James finished with two blinding rides. He might have only scored one point in heat 11, but he passed Paul Thorp to get it, and he might have followed Ross Brady home in heat 14, but he was snapping so closely at his heels that 'Golden Double' Robbie couldn't make up any ground. Somerset and Rye House in quick succession so I hope the gremlins can be eradicated.

 1. 65.2 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Ashworth, Hall, Priest, Howard
 2. 65.3 (3-3) ( 7-5 ) Harding, Robertson, Compton, Powell(fx)
 3. 66.5 (2-4) ( 9-9 ) Lawson, Wilson, Shield, Mitchell
 4. awd  (5-1) (14-10) Powell, Allott, Compton, Branney
 5. 64.5 (3-3) (17-13) Hall, Mitchell, Wilson, Howard
 6. 64.5 (3-3) (20-16) Ashworth, Branney, Robertson, Priest
 7. 64.4 (5-1) (25-17) Allott, Harding, Lawson, Shield
 8. 66.0 (5-1) (30-18) Priest, Powell, Compton, Howard
 9. 65.8 (1-5) (31-23) Robertson, Branney, Wilson, Mitchell
10. 65.6 (4-2) (35-25) Ashworth, Lawson, Priest, Hall(t/s)
11. 64.5 (3-3) (38-28) Allott, Hall, Robertson, Harding
12. 66.8 (5-1) (43-29) Powell, Mitchell, Shield, Roberton(f,rem,ret)
13. 65.0 (5-1) (48-30) Allott, Ashworth, Hall, Branney
14. 66.5 (5-1) (53-31) Wilson, Harding, Lawson, Compton(f,rem,ret)
15. 66.9 (5-1) (58-32) Harding, Powell, Hall, Robertson

The Gems were worth far more than the scoreline suggests mainly due to the Prowlers finishing flurry of four consecutive maximum heat wins. They did the same in the last three at Brough Park the night before suggesting the Gems need to improve their stamina.

Every one of the Prowlers was at least paid for a heat win, including debut boy Michael Mitchell who had quite a few sage old heads nodding with approval. He held off a determined first bend challenge from Lee Howard in heat 5, and was ahead of Jamie Robertson when Jamie attempted a 'wall-of-death' around the boards in heat 12. Ben Powell got into all sorts of problems in heat 2, but bounced back to ride unbeaten, and Trevor's only glitch came in heat 11 after a poor start left him trailing two wide riding Gems. Ricky and Adam both rode unbeaten, Luke popped out to win heat 8, and Ben moved from 3rd to 1st on the 3rd turn of heat 14 with a textbook 3rd bend dive up the inside. The burning question on the terraces is who will replace Adam now he is Somerset bound?

Thursday 13th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58		Newcastle KBS Diamonds								32
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		André Compton (c)	f	3	3	3	2	1'		12	1
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	2'	1	3		12	3	Wayne Carter	1	0	0					1
Scott Smith	2'	1'	2	2	3			10	2	Kevin Little	0	ef	ef					0
Andrew Moore	3	2	3	0	f			8		Kenneth Bjerre	1	1	1	3	2			9
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(9)		Davey Watt	0	1	3	0				4
James Birkinshaw	2'	2'	1'	2	0			7	3	Richard Juul	0	0	1	2	1			4
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	1'	1				6	1	Derek Sneddon	1	2	fx	0				3

 1. 64.2 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Carter, Compton(f/rem)
 2. 67.2 (5-1) (10-2 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Sneddon, Juul
 3. 64.1 (5-1) (15-3 ) Moore, Smith, Bjerre, Little
 4. 64.9 (4-2) (19-5 ) Wilson(r/r), Sneddon, Ashworth, Watt
 5. 64.0 (3-3) (22-8 ) Compton, Moore, Smith, Carter
 6. 63.6 (5-1) (27-9 ) Wilson, Complin, Watt, Juul
 7. 64.3 (5-1) (32-10) Moore(r/r), Birkinshaw, Bjerre, Little
 8. 64.2 (3-3) (35-13) Compton(t/s), Complin, Ashworth, Sneddon(fx)
 9. 64.5 (2-4) (37-17) Watt, Smith, Juul, Moore
10. 63.9 (5-1) (42-18) Wilson, Complin, Bjerre, Little(ef)
11. 65.8 (3-3) (45-21) Compton, Smith(r/r), Birkinshaw, Carter
12. 66.0 (4-2) (49-23) Smith, Juul, Ashworth, Sneddon
13. 64.4 (4-2) (53-25) Wilson, Compton, Complin(r/r), Watt
14. 65.6 (2-4) (55-29) Bjerre, Birkinshaw, Juul, Moore(f)
15. 67.0 (3-3) (58-32) Complin, Bjerre, Compton, Birkinshaw

Greasy track due to rain falling throughout the meeting. Andy Moore opened with two barnstorming rides astride his new 'flat-pack' framed GM, but the Diamonds were a two man team with only André and laterly Kenneth Bjerre putting up any resistance. Wayne Carter and Richard Juul were drafted in to strengthen last season's champions but it looks as if they will take time to get up to speed.

 1. 66.1 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Finlow, Walker, Priest
 2. 67.0 (4-2) ( 7-5 ) Powell, Warwick, Harding, Mason
 3. 64.6 (3-3) (10-8 ) Allott, Walker(r/r), Horton, Wilson
 4. 65.1 (3-3) (13-11) Powell, Hughes, Warwick, Speight, Mason(x 2mins)
 5. 64.0 (3-3) (16-14) Allott, Finlow, Walker, Wilson(ef)
 6. 65.4 (4-2) (20-16) Ashworth, Hughes, Priest, Mason
 7. 64.9 (3-3) (23-19) Finlow(r/r), Speight, Harding, Horton
 8. awd  (2-4) (25-23) Walker, Priest, Mason, Powell(fx)
 9. 64.6 (5-1) (30-24) Allott, Wilson, Hughes, Warwick
10. 65.0 (4-2) (34-26) Ashworth, Horton, Priest, Finlow(t/s fx)
11. 65.0 (3-3) (37-29) Finlow, Harding, Speight, Walker
12. 65.2 (5-1) (42-30) Allott, Powell, Hughes(r/r), Horton(t/s)
13. 65.2 (3-3) (45-33) Finlow, Ashworth, Speight, Walker(t/s)
14. 65.5 (5-1) (50-34) Harding, Wilson, Hughes(t/t), Horton
15. 64.7 (5-1) (55-35) Allott, Ashworth, Finlow, Hughes

Newport brought a young side to fortress Owlerton and nearly upset the apple cart. Just two points down after 8 races it looked as if the Prowlers had a fight on their hands, but then the Mavericks just seemed to throw in the towel.

Ricky led by example looking very confident, and Adam was just in a different class. Trevor got better as the match progressed and the track got drier. Ben rode to 2 untroubled wins before running out of track while trying to pass Simon Walker in heat 8. He bounced back in style by passing Danny Hughes on the last turn of heat 12 having spent 3 laps reeling him in. Ben Wilson also saved his best 'til last as he breezed past both Danny Hughes and Strider Horton on consecutive laps in heat 14.

Simon Walker and Danny Warwick both caught the eye for the Mavericks and the future of British speedway looks good while ever we can produce such promising young talent.

Thursday 6th June: Premier Trophy Semi-final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								57	94	IOW Islanders								37	86
Sean Wilson (c)	2'	1	2'	1				6	2	Adrian Rymel	1	2	2	2	0	0		7
Lee Complin	3	3	3	3	3			15		Kevin Doolan	0	1'	1'					2	2
Scott Smith	3	3	3	3	2'			14	1	Paul Bentley (c)	1'	2	2	r				5	1
Andrew Moore	0	ef	1	3				4		Michal Makovsky	2	1'	1	fx	0			4	1
Craig Watson	3	3	3	3				12		Claus Kristensen	2	2	2	2	2	1		11
James Birkinshaw	2	0	0	1				3		Simon Cartwright	3	1'	0					4	1
Ricky Ashworth	1'	1	0	1				3	1	Steffen Mell	0	0	x2					0

 1. 62.4 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Complin, Wilson, Rymel, Doolan
 2. 62.1 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Cartwright, Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Mell
 3. 62.6 (3-3) (11-7 ) Smith, Makovsky, Bentley, Moore
 4. 61.6 (4-2) (15-9 ) Watson, Kristensen, Ashworth, Mell
 5. 61.8 (3-3) (18-12) Smith, Rymel, Doolan, Moore(ef)
 6. 61.5 (4-2) (22-14) Complin, Kristensen, Wilson, Mell(x 2mins)
 7. 62.9 (3-3) (25-17) Watson, Bentley, Makaovsky, Birkinshaw(f/rem)
 8. 61.3 (3-3) (28-20) Complin, Bentley(t/s), Cartwright, Ashworth
 9. 61.5 (4-2) (32-22) Smith, Kristensen, Moore, Cartwright
10. 61.7 (5-1) (37-23) Complin, Wilson, Makovsky, Bentley(r)
11. 62.2 (3-3) (40-26) Watson, Rymel, Doolan, Birkinshaw(f/rem)
12. 62.5 (4-2) (44-28) Smith, Rymel(t/s), Ashworth, Makovsky(fx GOLDEN DOUBLE)
13. 62.3 (4-2) (48-30) Watson, Kristensen, Wilson, Rymel
14. 62.1 (4-2) (52-32) Moore, Kristensen(t/s), Birkinshaw, Makovsky
15. 62.4 (5-1) (57-33) Complin, Smith, Kristensen, Rymel

The Tigers progressed to the finals but made heavy weather along the way. It is probably more accurate to report that the Bandits missed out after a spirited start as they defended their 16 point advantage. When Simon Cartwright won heat 2 it looked as if the Bandits might be able to win through to the final, but that turned out to be the Bandits only race win. They suffered a body blow in heat 12 when Michal Makovsky's throttle jammed open and he had to bale out on the back straight, all the more painful as he was in as a Golden Double and his points were doubly valuable.

Lee Complin, Scott Smith and guest Craig Watson were all unbeaten which easily countered a below par performance by the skipper, and Reg went with the local lads for the important heat 15. Craig missed out there but will certainly find himself more bookings after such a strong guest appearance. James can count himself unlucky, falling while challenging Paul Bentley in his second ride, and being dumped by Kevin Doolan in his third in what should surely have been called back as first bend bunching. Andy Moore couldn't get past the whiley Paul Bentley in his first, and his bike failed as he was set to pass Adrian Rymel in his second, but he responded in style to win the vitally important heat 14 ahead of tac-sub Claus Kristensen.

Thursday 30th May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								55	99	IOW Islanders								36	82
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	2			14		Danny Bird	1	2	1	1'	1'			6	2
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	2'	1'			9	4	Seb Tressarieu	rider replacement							(3)
Scott Smith	1	3	2'	3				9	1	Ray Morton (c)	2	2	1	2	3			10
Andrew Moore	3	1	3	1				8		Matt Read	0	0	1'	r	2	2'		5	2
Robbie Kessler	2	3	3	2'				10	1	Adam Shields	3	1	3	0	0	3		10
James Birkinshaw	3	0	0	0				3		Nick Simmons	2	0	1	0				3
Ricky Ashworth	1	1'	0	0				2	1	Tom Brown	r	fx	0	2				2

 1. 62.4 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Bird, Brown(r/r)
 2. 63.9 (4-2) ( 9-3 ) Birkinshaw, Simmons, Ashworth, Brown(fx)
 3. 62.6 (4-2) (13-5 ) Moore, Morton, Smith, Read
 4. 62.6 (3-3) (16-8 ) Shields, Kessler, Ashworth, Brown
 5. 63.0 (4-2) (20-10) Smith, Bird, Moore, Read(r/r)
 6. 62.9 (5-1) (25-11) Wilson, Complin, Shields, Simmons
 7. 63.1 (3-3) (28-14) Kessler, Morton, Read, Birkinshaw
 8. 62.6 (2-4) (30-18) Shields(t/s), Complin, Bird(r/r), Ashworth
 9. 63.5 (5-1) (35-19) Moore, Smith, Simmons, Shields(r)
10. 62.7 (5-1) (40-20) Wilson, Complin, Morton, Read(+15, r)
11. 62.1 (3-3) (43-23) Kessler, Read(r/r), Bird, Birkinshaw
12. 63.9 (3-3) (46-26) Smith, Morton, Bird(t/s), Ashworth
13. 63.6 (5-2) (51-28) Wilson, Kessler, Brown(GOLDEN DOUBLE), Shields(r)
14. 64.1 (1-5) (52-33) Morton(t/s), Read, Moore, Birkinshaw
15. 63.6 (3-3) (55-36) Shields, Wilson, Complin, Simmons

With the aggregate result decided Jed Stone took his brain out of gear and made the Golden Double look like a complete mockery. He took Danny Bird out of heat 12, and put young Tom Brown off a 15m handicap against Sean Wilson and Robbie Kessler. Before the end of lap 3 Adam Shields was obliged to give up the chase to allow Tom to pass him for the extra point. The feigned engine problems didn't however stop Adam doing a wheelie the length of the back straight!!! In my view this was a spectacle the paying public did not deserve and Jed Stone should be made to apologise for bringing the sport into disrespect.

Thursday 23rd May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								58		Workington 'Lakeland Racing' Comets								32
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	2'	3		17	1	Carl Stonehewer (c)	1	2	3	3	ef	0		9
Lee Complin	2'	2'	3	2'	3	1		13	3	James Mann	0	1'	ef					1	1
Scott Smith	x	3	2	2	3			10		Kauko Niemenen	1	3	2	0	2			8
Andrew Moore	2	ef	0	ef	3			5		Rustry Harrison	3	1	1'	1	1			7	1
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(8)		Peter Karlsson	1	1	1	1	2			6
James Birkinshaw	3	2	1'	2'				8	2	Chris Collins	0	0	0					0
Ricky Ashworth	2'	2'	0	1				5	2	Mark Thompson	1	ef	0					1

 1. 63.2 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Stonehewer, Mann
 2. 67.4 (5-1) (10-2 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Thompson, Collins
 3. 64.4 (2-4) (12-6 ) Harrison, Moore, Niemenen, Smith(x)
 4. 65.6 (5-1) (17-7 ) Wilson(r/r), Ashworth, Karlsson, Thompson(ef)
 5. 65.7 (3-3) (20-10) Smith, Stonehewer, Mann, Moore
 6. 64.7 (5-1) (25-11) Wilson, Complin, Karlsson, Collins
 7. 65.6 (2-4) (27-15) Niemenen, Birkinshaw, Harrison, Moore(r/r)
 8. 65.1 (3-3) (30-18) Complin, Niemenen(t/s), Harrison(t/s), Ashworth
 9. 64.9 (2-4) (32-22) Stonehewer(t/s), Smith, Karlsson, Moore
10. 64.1 (5-1) (37-23) Wilson, Complin, Harrison, Niemenen
11. 65.1 (3-3) (40-26) Stonehewer, Smith(r/r), Birkinshaw, Mann(ef)
12. 65.4 (4-2) (44-28) Smith, Niemenen, Ashworth, Collins
13. 63.9 (5-1) (49-29) Complin(r/r), Wilson, Karlsson, Stonehewer(ef)
14. 64.1 (5-1) (54-30) Moore, Birkinshaw, Harrison, Thompson
15. 63.6 (4-2) (58-32) Wilson, Karlsson, Complin, Stonehewer

The Comets seemed to have burned themselves out since their inpressive display here in the opening match of the season. Stoney can be excused for having his mind on other things happening this weekend, but the rest of the team should be ashamed of themselves. Rusty won first time out but then went right off. Kauko had his moments, but PK was hopeless especially in heat 6 when he made a terrible mess of the second bend allowing both Tigers to nip past.

The Tigers 26 point victory would have been even bigger but for Andy Moore suffering from machine problems, but every Tiger was paid for a win including Ricky who held off a challenging Peter Karlsson in heat 4. James had some heart stopping moments avoiding the fence as he stormed home ahead of Rusty Harrison in heat 14, and was unlucky to lose out to Kauko in a hotly contested heat 7. Scud bounced back from an exclusion first time out when his bike gave up the ghost on the first lap causing Kauko to collect him, and Lee and Sean rode to no fewer than four 5-1's together. It would have been five but for Peter Karlsson stealing second place right on the finishing line of heat 15.

If they can carry this form with them to Derwent Park on Sunday then the away win is there for the taking. What are you made of then lads?

 1. 64.5 (2-4) ( 2-4 ) Broadhurst, Ashworth, Mitchell, Priest(f/rem)
 2. 65.3 (5-1) ( 7-5 ) Powell, Harding, Allan, Andrews
 3. 64.5 (3-3) (10-8 ) Thompson, Wilson, Speight, Lydes-Uings
 4. 65.5 (3-3) (13-11) Lamb, Powell, McAllan, Andrews
 5. 64.0 (3-3) (16-14) Broadhurst, Wilson, Speight, Mitchell(f/rem)
 6. 65.6 (3-3) (19-17) Lamb, Ashworth, Priest, Allan(f/rem)
 7. 64.5 (3-3) (22-20) Thompson, McAllan, Harding, Lydes_Uings
 8. 65.3 (5-1) (27-21) Powell, Priest, Andrews, Mitchell
 9. 65.9 (3-3) (30-24) Lamb, Wilson, Speight, Allan(f/rem)
10. 66.0 (4-2) (34-26) Ashworth, Thompson, Priest, Lydes-Uings
11. 64.4 (2-4) (36-30) Broadhurst, McAllan, Lamb(t/s), Harding
12. 66.1 (3-3) (39-33) Thompson(t/s), Powell, Speight, Allan(x)
13. 64.8 (1-5) (40-38) Lamb, Broadhurst, Ashworth, McAllan
14. 65.5 (5-1) (45-39) Wilson, Powell, Thompson, Allan
15. 64.6 (3-3) (48-42) Wilson, Broadhurst, Lamb, Powell

The ultra strong Mildenhall championship contenders descended on Owlerton with slightly depleted forces. They 'borrowed' Sheffield junior Michael Mitchell and replaced Gavin Hedge with the experienced Paul Lydes-Uings. The Prowlers were without Allott, Birkinshaw, Cambridge and Schlein, and gave unattached David McAllan an opportunity to burn some rubber.

The first seven heats saw the match finely balanced with the experienced visitors providing 6 heat winners, before second string Luke Priest and reserve Ben Powell strove to extend a 6 point lead after heat 8. Ricky won heat 10 while Matt Thompson took three laps to battle past Luke Priest and the lead went up to 8. Scott Lamb came in to heat 11 as a tactical substitute but fell victim to a determined ride from David McAllan who passed him on the second lap. Another tactical move by Grahame Drury saw Mark Thompson win heat 12, but his partner Thomas Allan was excluded by the referee as Trevor Harding was pushed out into the fence exiting the second bend. Thomas was slightly aggrieved by the decision and I'm sure that it wasn't intentional, and a shaken Trevor Harding rode in the rerun but then took an early shower.

The experienced Tigers spearhead took an easy 5-1 in heat 13 to bring the difference back to 2 points, and with the same duo likely to be tracked in heat 15 the chips were down. Ben Powell took Trevor's place in heat 14, and with Ben Wilson making a jet propelled start the Prowlers took great pleasure in sewing up the match points. With the bonus point in mind the Tigers nominate the ultra experienced Broadhurst and Lamb for heat 15, while the Prowlers go with heroes of the moment, the two Bens. The fans can hardly believe it when 16 year old Ben Wilson storms from the tapes and rides an inch-perfect line that even Wayne Broadhurst has no solution to to seal a sweet 6 point win, just as the rain starts to fall.

To all the fans who decided to give it a miss, you missed some great speedway. These guys ride with fire in their souls. They may only be kids, but they believe they can win the championship again. Come down and watch them ride their hearts out as they battle against the odds to prove themselves right, and all their knockers wrong.

Paul Smith came under the watchful eye of Graham Drury in after the meeting rides, as it seems Scott Lamb has been poached by a Premier League side. Paul rode a very determined wide line on a track becoming quite greasy in the rain as he defeated no less than Adam Allott.

Thursday 16th May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								57		Newport 'Wasps'								33
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3			15		Craig Watson (c)	2	2	3	2	2	1		12
Lee Complin	1	2'	2	2'	2'			9	3	Lee Dicken	0	0	1	0	0			1
Scott Smith	1'	3	2'	3				9	2	Ross Brady (g)	3	1	3	1	2	3		13
Andrew Moore	2	1	3	2				8		Scott Smith	rider replacement							(6)
RobbieKessler (g)	3	2	3	1				9		Frank Smart	2	1	1	0				4
James Birkinshaw	1	0	1	1'				3	1	Barrie Evans	0	0	0	0				0
Ricky Ashworth	3	1	ef	0				4		Carl Wilkinson	2	0	1'	0	0			3	1

 1. 61.7 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Watson, Complin, Dicken
 2. 64.9 (4-2) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Wilkinson, Birkinshaw, Evans
 3. 63.1 (3-3) (11-7 ) Brady, Moore, Smith, Evans(r/r)
 4. 63.2 (4-2) (15-9 ) Kessler, Smart, Ashworth, Wilkinson
 5. 63.1 (4-2) (19-11) Smith, Watson, Moore, Dicken
 6. 62.0 (5-1) (24-12) Wilson, Complin, Smart, Evans
 7. 62.5 (2-4) (26-16) Watson(t/s), Kessler, Brady, Birkinshaw
 8. 62.0 (2-4) (28-20) Brady(t/s), Complin, Dicken, Ashworth(ef)
 9. 62.2 (5-1) (33-21) Moore, Smith, Smart, Evans
10. 61.4 (5-1) (38-22) Wilson, Complin, Brady, Dicken(r/r)
11. 61.5 (4-2) (42-24) Kessler, Watson, Birkinshaw, Dicken
12. 62.8 (3-3) (45-27) Smith, Brady, Wilkinson, Ashworth
13. 61.8 (4-2) (49-29) Wilson, Watson, Kessler, Smart
14. 63.0 (3-3) (52-32) Brady(r/r), Moore, Birkinshaw, Wilkinson
15. 62.1 (5-1) (57-33) Wilson, Complin, Watson, Wilkinson

The writing was on the wall for the visitors as soon as those red kevlars shot to the front in heat 1. Even Owlerton specialist Craig Watson had no answer, and Sean's dominant mood seemed to infect the rest of the team. Ricky powered around the field to win heat 2 impressively while James left it to the last lap before slicing under Barrie Evans on the 3rd turn. Ross Brady flew into an unassailable lead in heat 3, while Robbie repeated the same in the next.

Fireworks in heat 5 as Craig Watson tries an impossible wide pass on the fourth bend and runs out of track, but determines that Scud needs a good kicking and delivers it on the 2nd turn on the run down lap. Andy Moore traps to win heat 9 with ease while Frank Smart seems to lack speed :) as he trails in third. Sean and Lee leave Ross in their wake as they power to another 5-1 in heat 10, and wide riding Robbie denies Craig a passing opportunity in the next.

Scud wins heat 12 from Ross, and Sean wastes no time passing Craig to claim heat 13 while Robbie keeps us on our toes before passing Frank on the very last turn. With his maximum on the line Sean scythes under Watto on the third turn in heat 15, and to add insult to injury Lee Complin audaciously repeats the maneouvre two laps later!

Two man teams can expect little reward from fortress Owlerton this term. All the lads have to do now is show that they aren't just one track wonders themselves...

Thursday 9th May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								57		Edinburgh 'Monarchs'								33
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	3	3	3		18		Frede Schott (c)	1	3	3	1	0			8
Lee Complin	2'	2'	2	1	0			7	2	Ben Shields	0	0	0					0
Scott Smith	2'	2	1'	3	1			9	2	Dalle Andersson	0	1	2	2	3	0		8
Andrew Moore	3	1'	3	2	1'	1		11	2	Christian Henry	1	0	0	0				1
Simon Stead	rider replacement							(7)		Peter Carr	2	1	3	3	2	2		13
James Birkinshaw	3	2'	2	1	2			10	1	Corie Blackman	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	2'	0	0					2	1	Shane McCabe	0	1'	1					2	1

 1. 63.4 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Schott, Shields
 2. 64.5 (5-1) (10-2 ) Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Blackman, McCabe
 3. 63.5 (5-1) (15-3 ) Moore, Smith, Henry, Andersson
 4. 62.1 (3-3) (18-6 ) Wilson(r/r), Carr, McCabe, Ashworth
 5. 62.4 (3-3) (21-9 ) Schott, Smith, Moore, Shields
 6. 61.9 (5-1) (26-10) Wilson, Complin, Carr(+15), Blackman
 7. 63.7 (5-1) (31-11) Moore(r/r), Birkinshaw, Andersson, Henry
 8. 62.7 (2-4) (33-15) Schott(t/s), Complin, McCabe, Ashworth
 9. 62.3 (3-3) (36-18) Carr, Moore, Smith, Blackman
10. 62.0 (4-2) (40-20) Wilson, Andersson, Complin, Henry
11. 62.1 (2-4) (42-24) Carr(t/s), Birkinshaw, Schott, Complin(r/r)
12. 63.1 (4-2) (46-26) Smith, Andersson, Birkinshaw, Shields(t/s)
13. 62.3 (4-2) (50-28) Wilson, Carr, Smith(r/r), Schott
14. 62.6 (3-3) (53-31) Anderson(t/s), Birkinshaw, Moore, Henry
15. 62.0 (4-2) (57-33) Wilson, Carr, Moore, Andersson

At last! Sean seems to have his kit sorted and raced to an impressive maximum, his first of the season. The only time it looked in doubt was heat 13 when he left it to the last lap before passing PC down the back straight. His win in heat 6 was the fastest time of the season so he has at least one bike on song.

Lee had a quiet night despite passing Frede in heat 1, and soaking up everything PC threw at him in heat 6. Scud was again calm and collected, until his third bend dive from 4th to 2nd in heat 13 caused everyone in the stadium to take a collective deep breath. Andy rode well and deserved his heat 15 nomination which saw him give PC a few hectic moments. Rider replacement for Simon garnered just 7 points, so it is safe to say that if Simon had been riding we would have made 60 with ease. Ricky had yet more machine problems and broke down on the introductory parade again. His last ride was on Trevor Harding's bike but it made little difference. James by contrast was back on song and his best ride came in heat 11 as he battled past Frede Schott no less on the second lap of heat 11.

The Monarchs missed the injured Rory Schlein badly and their second strings and reserves (all Australian) managed just 4 points from 13 outings. Dalle improved as the meeting progressed, as did Frede although his score chart does not show it. PC had his moments and was only beaten by Sean Wilson apart from heat 6 when he touched the tapes and couldn't find his way past Lee.

The racing was much better than the scoreline suggests and despite their glum faces the Monarchs fans should have enjoyed some excellent speedway.

 1. 56.8 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) A. Collins, Ashworth, Priest, Brown  [photo]
 2. 58.9 (1-5) ( 4-8 ) Harding, Powell, Derbyshire, Belfield  [photo]
 3. 57.8 (4-2) ( 8-10) C.Collins, Wilson, Burnett(f/rem), Speight(fx) [photo]
 4. 52.7 (4-2) (12-12) Armstrong, Powell, Belfield, Cambridge(r) [photo]
 5. 58.2 (4-2) (16-14) C.Collins, Priest, Burnett, Ashworth(f) [photo]
 6. 57.1 (3-3) (19-17) A.Collins, Harding, Cambridge, Brown(x) [photo]
 7. 57.5 (5-1) (24-18) Armstrong, Derbyshire, Wilson, Speight  [photo]
 8. 58.0 (1-5) (25-23) Powell, Ashworth(t/s), Brown(f/rem), Belfield(f/x) [photo]
 9. 57.2 (3-3) (28-26) Harding, C.Collins, Burnett, Cambridge  [photo]
10. 58.1 (3-3) (31-29) A.Collins, Powell, Wilson, Derbyshire [photo]
11. 56.7 (3-3) (34-32) Armstrong, Ashworth, Priest, Belfield(x) [photo]
12. 58.4 (5-1) (39-33) C.Collins, Derbyshire, Speight, Harding(f) [photo]
13. 57.4 (5-1) (44-34) A.Collins, Armstrong, Powell, Harding, Ashworth(2 mins) [photo]
14. 60.0 (1-5) (45-39) Wilson, Powell, Derbyshire, Burnett(r) [photo]
15. 57.8 (4-2) (49-41) Armstrong, Harding, C.Collins, Powell [photo] [photo]

The Prowlers were weakened by Adam Allott joining the Robins, and Rory Schlein due to be in Austria although having injured his knee it looks as if Rory will be out of the saddle for some time. They drafted in young Aussie Ben Powell for his debut and it looks as if they have found a new star as he finished as the Prowlers top scorer.

David Speight and Matt Cambridge never got to grips with the track and picked up just one point each, and Ricky Ashworth had yet more machine problems. Luke Priest and Ben Wilson both scored points from behind without ever looking like troubling the Hitmen's heat leaders and the fight all came from the young Aussie reserves. Trevor Harding claimed two deserved heat wins, and would have been top scorer until Chris Collins passed him on the third turn of the last lap of heat 12. The fourth turn is tricky at the best of times but Trevor still tried to blast back around the outside, ill-advised at the best of times, and he ended up throwing is bike into the fence! 11 out of 10 for effort, but sadly no points. Ben Powell rode some determined if un-conventional lines and the pair of them livened up the afternoon tremendously.

Thursday 2nd May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								48		Swindon 'Robins'								43
Sean Wilson (c)	3	3	3	2	3			14		Adam Shields (g)	2	1'	0	3	3	2		11	1
Lee Complin	1	2'	2	1				6	1	Paul Lee	0	2	3	2				7
Scott Smith	3	3	1'	2	x			9	1	Paul Fry (c)	ef	3	ef	3	2'	1'		9	2
Andrew Moore	2'	0	2	0				4	1	Chris Neath	1	0	2					3
Robbie Kessler (g)	3	2	3	1'				9	1	Oliver Allen	2	1	3	2*	0			8
James Birkinshaw	2	1'	1	ef	1			5	1	Adam Allott	3	0	0					3
Ricky Ashworth	0	fx	1'					1	1	Jason King	1	1'	0					2	1

 1. 62.8 (4-2) ( 4-2 ) Wilson, Shields, Complin, Lee
 2. 63.7 (2-4) ( 6-6 ) Allott, Birkinshaw, King, Ashworth
 3. 64.7 (5-1) (11-7 ) Smith, Moore, Neath, Fry(ef)
 4. 63.2 (3-3) (14-10) Kessler, Allen, King, Ashworth(fx)
 5. 63.6 (3-3) (17-13) Smith, Lee, Shields, Moore
 6. 63.6 (5-1) (22-14) Wilson, Complin, Allen, Allott
 7. 63.3 (3-3) (25-17) Fry, Kessler, Birkinshaw, Neath
 8. 62.9 (3-3) (28-20) Lee, Complin, Ashworth, King
 9. 63.7 (3-3) (31-23) Allen, Moore, Smith, Allott
10. 64.6 (3-3) (35-25) Wilson, Neath, Complin, Fry(ef)
11. 62.0 (4-2) (39-27) Kessler, Lee, Birkinshaw, Shields
12. 63.5 (2-5) (41-32) Fry, Smith, Allen(GD), Birkinshaw(r)
13. 62.8 (3-3) (44-35) Shields, Wilson, Kessler, Allen
14. 63.5 (1-5) (45-40) Shields(t/s), Fry(t/s), Birkinshaw, Moore
15. 63.4 (3-3) (48-43) Wilson, Shields, Fry, Smith(x)

 1. 70.6 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Ashworth, Felton, Blackman, Speight(f)
 2. 65.8 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Harding, Priest, Pugh, Brewer
 3. 67.3 (1-5) ( 9-9 ) Colvin, Meakins, Wilson, Harding(r/r,f)
 4. 65.4 (5-1) (14-10) Schlein, Priest, Pugh, Taylor(ef)
 5. 67.1 (1-5) (15-15) Felton, Blackman, Wilson, Priest(r/r)
 6. 65.8 (3-3) (18-18) Taylor, Speight, Ashworth, Brewer
 7. 65.1 (5-1) (23-19) Schlein, Harding, Colvin, Meakins
 8. 66.8 (5-1) (28-20) Priest, Speight, Pugh, Blackman
 9. 64.7 (4-2) (32-22) Schlein(r/r), Taylor, Wilson, Felton(t/s)
10. 67.7 (5-1) (37-23) Ashworth, Speight, Colvin, Meakins
11. 64.6 (3-3) (40-26) Schlein, Taylor(t/s), Felton, Priest
12. 66.7 (3-3) (43-29) Colvin, Harding, Speight(r/r), Brewer
13. 65.5 (4-2) (47-31) Schlein, Taylor, Ashworth, Felton
14. 66.3 (5-1) (52-32) Harding, Wilson, Colvin(t/s), Pugh
15. 66.5 (5-1) (57-33) Schlein, Harding, Colvin, Taylor(ef)

After a quiet start the racing improved tremendously. David Speight warmed us up with a last bend surge in heat 1 which resulted in him losing it and sliding down the track on his arse, hanging on for dear life. Sadly he didn't quite make it as far as the finish line :( Luke made amends in heat 2 with a deliciously controlled ride which was rewarded as he passed Darren Pugh entering turn 3 on the 2nd lap. Trevor Harding was looking unbeatable until he tried just that little too hard on the last lap of heat 3 and collected the fence for his troubles, but he was straight back on his feet. Luke tried too hard as he chased Corey Blackman in heat 5 and was rewarded by losing his place to his team mate. Heat 7 was worth the admission money by itself as Trevor and Rory Schlein both pass their opponents on the third turn, only for the race to be stopped when Gordon Meakins fell at the back. Luke had a 'big moment' leading heat 8 as he got it too sideways into turn 3, but managed to control it and consolidated the win. David Speight rode a nice line to deny the charging Shane Colvin in heat 10, behind Ricky who was obviously comfortable on Trevor's (Simon's ?) bike. Ben Wilson's moment came in heat 14 when he rode a very tidy inside line to relegate Shane Colvin out of turn 4, and the match finished on the perfect high as Trevor & Rory perpetrated a beautifully synchronised inside and outside pass of Shane Colvin on the second turn of lap 2 to finish with an emphatic 5-1.

Great speedway! So why did so few people come to watch? These kids are great entertainment and are the future of the sport. Come down and see the stars of tomorrow, you won't regret it.

Sunday 28th April: Premier League
Swindon Robins								54		Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								36
Charlie Gjedde	0	3	2'	r				5	1	Sean Wilson (c)	3	2	x2	3	2	3	2	15
Paul Lee	2	2'	3	3	1			11	1	Lee Complin	1	1'	2	0	1	r		5	1
Paul Fry (c)	3	3	2	3	3			14		Scott Smith	2	2	2	1	0	1		8
Chris Neath	tx	0	x	3				3		Andrew Moore	1'	1'	0	1	0			3	2
Glen Cunningham (g)	3	3	3	2				11		Simon Stead	rider replacement							3
Adam Allott	3	0	0	1	2'			6	1	James Birkinshaw	2	1	1					4
Jason King	1	0	1	2'				4	1	Ricky Ashworth	0	1'	0	r				1	1

 1. 70.2 (2-4) ( 2-4 ) Wilson, Lee, Complin, Gedde(f/rem)
 2. 70.3 (4-2) ( 6-6 ) Allott, Birkinshaw, King, Ashworth
 3. 70.9 (3-3) ( 9-9 ) Fry, Smith, Moore, Allott
 4. 69.8 (3-3) (12-12) Cunningham, Smith, Ashworth, King
 5. 69.4 (3-3) (15-15) Fry, Wilson, Complin, Neath
 6. 70.8 (5-1) (20-16) Gjedde, Lee, Birkinshaw, Ashworth
 7. 71.5 (3-3) (23-19) Cunningham, Smith, Moore, Allott
 8. 70.3 (4-2) (27-21) Lee, Complin, King, Ashworth(r)
 9. 69.9 (2-4) (29-25) Wilson, Fry, Birkinshaw, Neath(x)
10. 70.9 (5-1) (34-26) Lee, Gjedde, Smith, Moore
11. 69.7 (4-2) (38-28) Cunningham, Wilson, Allott, Complin
12. 72.1 (5-1) (43-29) Fry, King, Complin, Smith
13. 70.1 (2-4) (45-33) Wilson, Cunningham, Moore, Gedde(r)
14. 69.9 (5-1) (50-34) Neath, Allott, Smith, Moore
15. 70.3 (4-2) (54-36) Fry, Wilson, Lee, Complin(r)

Just 3 points from rider replacement rides for the injured Simon Stead as the Tigers slump to a crushing defeat. Adam Allott and Paul Lee obviously enjoyed showing the Tigers management what they thought of being dropped.

Thursday 25th April: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								60		Berwick Bandits								29
Sean Wilson (c)	3	2'	2	3	3			13	1	Claus Kristensen	0	2	2	2	2	0		8
Lee Complin	2'	3	3	1'	2'			11	3	Adrian Rymel	1	0	1'					2	1
Scott Smith	1'	3	2'	3				9	2	Paul Bentley (c)	3	2	0	1'	1			7	1
Andrew Moore	2	1	3	0				6		Michal Makovsky	0	1'	3	0	3	1		8	1
Simon Stead	3	3	3	1				10		Kevin Doolan	1'	1	1					3	1
James Birkinshaw	2	0	0	2				4		Simon Cartwright	3	2	0	0				5
Ricky Ashworth	1'	r	r	1				2	1	Stefan Mell	r	x2	1'	2				3	1

 1. 63.9 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Wilson, Complin, Rymel, Kristensen
 2. 64.8 (3-3) ( 8-4 ) Cartwright, Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Mell(r)
 3. 64.8 (3-3) (11-7 ) Bentley, Moore, Smith, Makovsky
 4. 64.1 (3-3) (14-10) Stead, Cartwright, Doolan, Ashworth(r), Mell(2mins)
 5. 65.1 (4-2) (18-12) Smith, Kristensen, Moore, Rymel
 6. 64.1 (5-1) (23-13) Complin, Wilson, Doolan, Cartwright
 7. 64.7 (3-3) (26-16) Stead, Bentley, Makovsky, Birkinshaw
 8. 63.9 (3-3) (29-19) Complin, Kristensen(t/s), Mell, Ashworth(r)
 9. 64.9 (5-1) (34-20) Moore, Smith, Doolan, Cartwright
10. 64.6 (3-3) (37-23) Makovsky, Wilson, Complin, Bentley
11. 64.0 (3-3) (40-26) Stead, Kristensen, Rymel, Birkinshaw
12. 65.4 (3-3) (43-29) Smith, Mell, Bentley, Ashworth
13. 64.3 (4-2) (47-31) Wilson, Kristensen, Stead, Makovsky(t/s)
14. 65.6 (2-4) (49-35) Makovsky, Birkinshaw, Bentley(t/s), Moore
15. 64.0 (5-1) (54-36) Wilson, Complin, Makovsky, Kristensen

Poor Ricky struggled last night having cobbled together a bike following Mondays pile-up. James' scorechart doesn't do him justice, especially his thrilling last bend blast past Banger in heat 14. Andy was a steady performer until a slow start left him stuck behind solid traffic in that same heat 14 while Steady too ran three immaculate wins before CK took his favourite lines in heat 13. Scud was calm and collected on his way to paid 11, and Sean rode like a gentleman for paid 14, despite the presence of the 'dreaded' red kevlars. Lee deserved his heat 15 nomination if only for the audacious way he swooped around Kevin Doolan on the outside of turn 3 on the first lap of heat 6, and just kept it wound on to steam past Sean as he exited turn 4 and never look like being caught. If that wasn't enough he brilliantly went around Claus Kristensen on turn 3 of the second lap of heat 15 and then cheekily switched back to pass Michal Makovsky up the inside out of the next bend. Brilliant!

 1. 63.6 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Allott, Priest, Norton, Barney(f)
 2. 66.1 (2-4) ( 7-5 ) D.King, Harding, McCabe, Ashworth(r)
 3. 65.2 (2-4) ( 9-9 ) Prior, Wilson, Horton, Speight
 4. 66.6 (5-1) (14-10) Schlein, Harding, McCabe, J.King, Ashworth(2mins)
 5. 65.9 (3-3) (17-13) Speight, Barney, Norton, Wilson
 6. 64.4 (4-2) (21-15) Allott, D.King, Priest, J.King(r)
 7. 65.0 (3-3) (24-18) Schlein, Prior, Horton, Harding
 8. 64.6 (2-4) (26-22) Prior, Ashworth, Norton, Priest
 9. 66.1 (1-5) (27-27) D.King, J.King, Speight, Wilson
10. 64.0 (5-1) (32-28) Allott, Ashworth, Horton, Prior(r)
11. 64.5 (4-2) (36-30) Schlein, Barney, Harding, Norton
12. 66.7 (3-3) (39-33) Prior, Speight, Ashworth, D.King
13. 64.6 (5-1) (44-34) Schlein, Allott, Barney, J.King
14. 66.5 (5-1) (49-35) Harding, Ashworth, McCabe(+15), Horton(fx)
15. 64.2 (5-1) (54-36) Allott, Schlein, Prior, D.King(f)

Allott and Schlein in unbeatable form, but the Prowlers find themselves with a lot on their hands as the Pumas fight back to level the match after heat 9. Having re-opened a 6 point lead the Prowlers then slapped in three maximum heat wins to finish the match with an 18 point lead. Ricky had serious problems getting his bike to run, but played a good captains part as he pushed Trevor Harding home for his first win in heat 14.

Adam Prior and Daniel King were the pick of the visitors, but Jason King suffered badly with mechanical problems and was worth more than his score suggests.

Saturday 13th April: Premier Trophy
Stoke Potters								42	81	Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								48	99
Paul Pickering (c)	3	3	3	1'	0			10	1	Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2	3	2'			12	1
Mark Burrows	0	2'	2	1				5	1	Lee Complin	1'	1	3	1'				6	2
Alan Mogridge	0	0	3	3				6		Scott Smith	2'	ef	0	1'				3	2
Tony Atkin	1	2	0	1'				4	1	Andrew Moore	3	3	2	3	3			14
Jan Stæchmann	3	2	3	2	1			11		Frank Smart (g)	1'	1	1'	0				3	2
Will Beveridge	2	1'	1'	0	2			6	2	James Birkinshaw	1	0	2	2	0			5
Lee Hodgson	0	0	0					0		Ricky Ashworth	3	2	0					5

 1. 64.7 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Pickering, Wilson, Complin, Burrows
 2. 67.4 (2-4) ( 5-7 ) Ashworth, Beveridge, Birkinshaw, Hodgson
 3. 67.3 (1-5) ( 6-12) Moore, Smith, Atkin, Mogridge
 4. 66.0 (3-3) ( 9-15) Stæchmann, Ashworth, Smart, Hodgson
 5. 65.6 (2-4) (11-19) Wilson, Atkin, Complin, Mogridge
 6. 65.9 (5-1) (16-20) Pickering, Burrows, Smart, Birkinshaw
 7. 65.1 (3-3) (19-23) Moore, Stæchmann, Beveridge, Smith(ef)
 8. 65.2 (3-3) (22-26) Complin, Burrows, Beveridge, Ashworth
 9. 65.9 (3-3) (25-29) Mogridge, Birkinshaw, Smart, Atkin
10. 65.2 (4-2) (29-31) Pickering, Moore, Burrows, Smith
11. 65.3 (3-3) (32-34) Stæchmann, Wilson, Complin, Hodgson
12. 65.3 (3-3) (35-37) Mogridge, Birkinshaw, Smith, Beveridge
13. 65.1 (3-3) (38-40) Wilson, Stæchmann, Pickering, Smart
14. 65.5 (3-3) (41-43) Moore, Beveridge, Atkin, Birkinshaw
15. 65.0 (1-5) (42-48) Moore, Wilson, Stæchmann, Pickering

A brilliant display by Andy Moore, capped by a win in heat 15 steers the Tigers to the top of their group. James put in a better display than at Brough Park although he was passed by both Potters in heat 14. Ricky had another barney, this time with Will Beveridge who had him off after the finish of heat 2! Scud was dumped on the first turn of heat 3 but bounced back to follow his partner home in the rerun, and then lost a chain next time out. He held off a strong challenge from Will for a vital point in heat 12 but will still be disappointed with his final tally. Frank Smart too was a poor stand-in for Steady, but never gave up trying for his meagre return, and Lee included a pass of Alan Mogridge no less. Skipper Sean rode some lovely races to keep the likes of Stækkers from passing him, and rode a superb rear-guard to Andy in the crucial last heat. As for Andy, well quite an inspired performance and it will be interesting to see whether it is he or Lee who eventually claims that third heat leader slot.

Thursday 11th April: Premier Trophy
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								60		Newcastle Diamonds								29
Sean Wilson (c)	2	3	2'	1'	2			10	2	André Compton (c)	3	3	3	x	3	3		15
Lee Complin	1'	2'	2	3				8	2	Rob Grant	0	0	1					1
Scott Smith	3	2	1	1				7		Kenneth Bjerre	1	1	0	0				2
Andrew Moore	2'	1'	3	2'	1'			9	4	Kevin Little	0	0	1	0	1			2
Robbie Kessler (g)	3	3	3	2				11		Shaun Tacey (g)	1'	1	2	2	0	0		6	1
James Birkinshaw	2'	2'	2'	3	3			12	3	Richard Hall	1	0	0					1
Ricky Ashworth	3	fx	r					3		Derek Sneddon	0	2	x					2

 1. 62.5 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Compton, Wilson, Complin, Grant
 2. 65.5 (5-1) ( 8-4 ) Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Hall, Sneddon
 3. 64.9 (5-1) (13-5 ) Smith, Moore, Bjerre, Little
 4. 63.0 (3-3) (16-8 ) Kessler, Sneddon, Tacey(pushed), Ashworth(fx)
 5. 62.2 (3-3) (19-11) Compton, Smith, Moore, Grant
 6. 63.6 (5-1) (24-12) Wilson, Complin, Tacey, Hall
 7. 63.5 (5-1) (29-13) Kessler, Birkinshaw, Bjerre, Little
 8. 63.1 (2-3) (31-16) Compton(t/s), Complin, Sneddon(x), Ashworth(r)
 9. 63.5 (4-2) (35-18) Moore, Tacey, Smith, Hall
10. 63.6 (5-1) (40-19) Complin, Wilson, Little, Bjerre
11. 62.8 (5-1) (45-20) Kessler, Birkinshaw, Grant, Compton(x)
12. 63.7 (4-2) (49-22) Birkinshaw, Tacey(t/s), Smith, Little(t/s)
13. 62.7 (3-3) (52-25) Compton, Kessler, Wilson, Tacey
14. 64.3 (5-1) (57-26) Birkinshaw, Moore, Little, Bjerre(t/s)
15. 62.9 (3-3) (60-29) Compton, Wilson, Moore, Tacey

James certainly made amends for his poor performance last night, but Scud's critics will be having a field day. A good solid team display with every Tiger claiming a heat win and the only Tiger finishing last being Ricky when first he clipped Derek's back wheel and took a heavy tumble, and then he retired in his next outing. Compton was the only Diamond's heat winner and to be honest there was never any other member of their team in with a chance. A special mention must go to James whose maximum was earned the hard way, and a vote of thanks to Robbie who can't have relished the way he was on the receiving end of André's third bend 'red mist' in heat 11.

For all those who never see passing at speedway meetings here is the ante: Heat2, Ashworth inside Hall 4th turn lap 1, Birkinshaw inside Hall out of turn 2 lap2. Heat 6, Complin rounds Tacey out of turn 2 on the last lap. Heat 10, Complin nips under Little out of turn 2 on the 2nd lap, and then stings Sean with an audacious outside swoop on the same bend on the last lap! Shaun Tacey passes Scud out of turn 4 at the end of lap 1 in heat 12, but James does the same to him into of turn 1 on the next lap.

Thursday 4th April: Premier Trophy
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								51		Stoke Potters								39
Sean Wilson (c)	2'	3	3	2	0			10	1	Paul Pickering (c)	1	3	3	2	0	1		10
Lee Complin	3	1	3	1				8		Mark Burrows	0	f	1'					1	1
Scott Smith	3	2	2	2				9		Alan Mogridge	2	1'	2	3	3	3		14	1
Andrew Moore	1	1'	1'	2'				5	3	Tony Atkin	0	2	0	0	1			3
Danny Bird (g)	3	3	3	1'	2			12	1	Jan Stæchmann	2	2	fx					4
James Birkinshaw	2	0	1	3				6		Will Beveridge	1	1'	0	0				2	1
Ricky Ashworth	0	0	f	1'				1	1	Lee Hodgson	3	tx	2	fx				5

 1. 62.5 (5-1) ( 5-1 ) Complin, Wilson, Pickering, Burrows
 2. 63.2 (2-4) ( 7-5 ) Hodgson, Birkinshaw, Beveridge, Ashworth
 3. 63.7 (4-2) (11-7 ) Smith, Mogridge, Moore, Atkin
 4. 62.2 (3-3) (14-10) Bird, Stæchmann, Beveridge, Ashworth, Hodgson(tx)
 5. 63.0 (3-3) (17-13) Pickering, Smith, Moore, Burrows(f)
 6. 62.9 (4-2) (21-15) Wilson, Stæchmann, Complin, Beveridge
 7. 62.7 (3-3) (24-18) Bird, Atkin, Mogridge, Birkinshaw
 8. 62.5 (3-3) (27-21) Complin, Hodgson, Burrows, Ashworth(f)
 9. 63.6 (3-3) (30-24) Pickering(t/s), Smith, Moore, Stæchmann(fx)
10. 63.2 (4-2) (34-26) Wilson, Mogridge, Complin, Atkin
11. 63.8 (4-2) (38-28) Bird, Pickering, Birkinshaw, Atkin(t/s)
12. 63.7 (3-3) (41-31) Mogridge, Smith, Ashworth, Beveridge
13. 63.5 (3-3) (44-34) Mogridge(t/s), Wilson, Bird, Pickering
14. awd  (5-1) (49-35) Birkinshaw, Moore, Atkin, Hodgson(fx)
15. 63.8 (2-4) (51-39) Mogridge, Bird, Pickering, Wilson

The Potters certainly have a good solid looking side this season but the youngsters at S6 paid them little respect. Danny Bird was much better value than the previous night at Craven Park and Ricky Ashworth was the only Tiger who didn't manage a win or paid win. Before heat 15 the only Sheffield riders to finish last were the reserves, but then Sean blotted his copy book when after a slow start he just couldn't find a way through the tight bunch a riders ahead. This could be a difficult bonus point to grab...

Highlights included James and Ricky's synchronized pass of Will Beveridge in heat 2, Jan rounding Lee in heat 6, Andy Moore round Jan in heat 9, Lee passing Tony and so nearly catching Moggo on the line in heat 10, Danny passing and re-passing Paul in heat 11 while James passed Tony on the last lap, and Andy passing Tony to claim the important 5-1 in heat 14. Lowlights were Jan's nasty looking fall while chasing Andy in heat 9, and Buzz failing to leave the track after a 1st bend fall in heat 5 causing Scud to slow down a full lap later!

Wednesday 3rd April: Premier Trophy
Hull Vikings								51	87	Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								39	94
Robbie Kessler	3	2	3	1				9		Sean Wilson (c)	2	2	3	2	3	1		13
Jamie Smith	0	1'	1'	2'				4	3	Lee Complin	1'	0	3	2'				6	2
Garry Stead	0	3	3	3	2'			11	1	Scott Smith	2'	2	1	2	0			7	1
Ross Brady	1	1	2'	2				6	1	Andrew Moore	3	1'	0	1				5	1
Paul Thorp (c)	2'	3	ef	3	3			11	1	Danny Bird (g)	1	3	1	0				5
Craig Branney	0	0	1					1		James Birkinshaw	1'	0	0	0				1	1
Lee Smethills	3	3	2	1	0			9		Ricky Ashworth	2	0	r					2

 1. 68.3 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Kessler, Wilson, Complin, J.Smith
 2. 69.2 (3-3) ( 6-6 ) Smethills, Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Branney
 3. 69.0 (1-5) ( 7-11) Moore, S.Smith, Brady(+15), Stead
 4. 68.8 (5-1) (12-12) Smethills,Thorp, Bird, Ashworth
 5. 67.4 (4-2) (16-14) Stead, Wilson, Brady, Complin
 6. 68.3 (3-3) (19-17) Bird, Kessler, J.Smith, Birkinshaw
 7. 69.2 (3-3) (22-20) Thorp, S.Smith, Moore, Branney
 8. 69.0 (3-3) (25-23) Complin, Smethills, J.Smith, Ashworth
 9. 67.9 (5-1) (30-24) Stead, Brady, Bird, Birkinshaw
10. 69.8 (5-1) (35-25) Kessler, J.Smith, S.Smith, Moore
11. 69.7 (1-5) (36-30) Wilson, Complin, Branney, Thorp(ef)
12. 68.2 (4-2) (40-32) G.Stead, S.Smith, Smethills, Birkinshaw
13. 68.4 (4-2) (44-34) Thorp, Wilson, Kessler, Bird
14. 68.6 (2-4) (46-38) Wilson(t/s), Brady, Moore, Smethills
15. 67.8 (5-1) (51-39) Thorp, Stead, Wilson, S.Smith

An excellent meeting by New Craven Park standards with some actual racing! James Birkinshaw moved Craig Branney over to take 3rd place in heat 2, and despite some valiant efforts this was to be his only point. Ross Brady touched the tapes in heat 3 and with Scud and Andy trapping ahead of Garry Stead the Tigers took a short lived lead. Sean Wilson rounded the Viking pair out of turn 2 to lead heat 6 but went far too wide into turn 3 allowing Garry Stead back into the lead, and Andy Moore passed Craig Branney out of turn 2 to claim a point in heat 7. Heat 8 was started three times before the ref was satisfied that Ricky had been beaten up on the first bend enough, although the Vikings spent so much time trying to sandwich Ricky that Lee was able to ride around both of them and extend an impressive lead. James briefly passed Ross out of the second turn in heat 9 and although Danny Bird was able to catch and pass James, he could make no impression on Ross. Scud moved up to second in heat 10, but made a mess of turn 3 allowing Ross back through, although he made no mistake when passing the impressive Lee Smethills for a vital extra point in heat 12. Race of the night was when Sean wound it all on to pass Robbie out of turn 2 on the third lap of heat 13 for the 2 points which put the bonus point out of Hull's reach. Andy Moore passed Ross Brady on the second lap of heat 14, although Ross was able to make up lost ground and return the compliment on the last lap.

The Tigers were only 2 points adrift after 8 heats and I can only assume that Eric started kicking some arses at that point as the Vikings certainly moved up a gear. Danny Bird was a little subdued as a guest for Simon Stead, but should be expected to fare better at Owlerton against the Potters.

Thursday 28th March: Premier Trophy
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers								55		Hull Vikings								36
Sean Wilson (c)	2	2	3	3	1'			11	1	Robbie Kessler	3	3	2	2	2	3		15
Lee Complin	1'	1'	3	2'				7	3	Jamie Smith	0	0	0					0
Scott Smith	3	2	3	2	2			12		Garry Stead	2	1	2	1	3			9
Andrew Moore	1	1'	0	3				5	1	Ross Brady	0	ef	0					0
Simon Stead	3	3	3	1				10		Paul Thorp (c)	2	3	2	1	0	0		8
James Birkinshaw	1'	2'	1	2'				6	3	Lee Smethills	3	0	1'	0				4	1
Ricky Ashworth	2	1	1	0				4		David Speight	0	0	0					0

 1. 63.7 (3-3) ( 3-3 ) Kessler, Wilson, Complin, J.Smith
 2. 65.2 (3-3) ( 6-6 ) Smethills, Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Speight
 3. 65.1 (4-2) (10-8 ) S.Smith, G.Stead, Moore, Brady
 4. 63.9 (4-2) (14-10) S.Stead, Thorp, Ashworth, Speight
 5. 64.3 (3-3) (17-13) Kessler, S.Smith, Moore, J.Smith
 6. 63.5 (3-3) (20-16) Thorp, Wilson, Complin, Speight
 7. 64.5 (5-1) (25-17) S.Stead, Birkinshaw, G.Stead, Brady
 8. 64.5 (4-2) (29-19) Complin, G.Stead(t/s), Ashworth, Smethills
 9. 64.6 (3-3) (32-22) S.Smith, Thorp, Smethills, Moore
10. 65.2 (5-1) (37-23) Wilson, Complin, G.Stead, Brady
11. 63.3 (4-2) (41-25) S.Stead, Kessler, Birkinshaw, J.Smith
12. 63.8 (2-4) (43-29) G.Stead, S.Smith, Thorp(t/s), Ashworth
13. 63.6 (4-2) (47-31) Wilson, Kessler, S.Stead, Thorp
14. 64.4 (5-2) (52-33) Moore, Birkinshaw, Kessler(GOLDEN DOUBLE), Smethills
15. 64.5 (3-3) (55-36) Kessler, S.Smith, Wilson, Thorp

The Vikings came to town intent on pillaging both points but found that the young Tigers in particular had very sharp claws. Skipper Sean took time to find the chequered flag, but the Gestapo (S.S. & S.S.) both started in determined style. The first indication of the Tiger's mettle came in heat 4 when rookie Ricky held off the charging Paul Thorp for a full 3 laps before Paul's experience paid. Heat 7 had the Tigers fans on their toes as James first passed, and then outpaced Garry Stead to claim a 5-1 with Simon, and in the next heat Lee repeated the feat with Ricky also getting the better of Lee Smethills. Scud passed Paul Thorp on turn 3 to win heat 9, Sean & Lee team rode to a 5-1 in heat 10, and Simon and James extended the lead in heat 11. Scud couldn't catch Garry in heat 12, but when tac-sub Paul Thorp passed him he wasted no time in claiming second place back and making it stick. Heat 14 was a show stopper with the impressive Robbie Kessler off a 15 metre handicap as a Golden Double. Lee Smethills was first to show, but Andy Moore passed him down the back straight and was soon joined by James. Robbie swept past James on turn 1 on the second lap, but in a sweet move James reclaimed the place exiting turn 2 and then rode a brilliant line to deny Robbie any more golden points.

The youngsters certainly put on a good show and made light of the highly fancied Viking raiding party. Uncle Eric will not be happy on this showing and it was certainly the Vikings long tail that failed to wag with three of the Hull team finishing pointless. Many supporters have conjectured as to which of the second strings will steal the third heat leader slot from Scud this year, but on tonight's showing Scott seems to be fit and raring to go and will give them a good run for their money. Away matches might be a different kettle of fish, but it seems the Owlerton faithfull will be kept entertained again this year.

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