Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers Match Reports 2003

Thursday 16th October: PL KO Cup final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 47 91 IOW 'Wightlink' Islanders 46 94
Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 0 ef 3     7   Danny Bird (c) 3 fx 0 2' 1'     6 2
Ross Brady rider replacement (5) (2) Glen Phillips 1 1 1 1       4  
Ricky Ashworth 2 3 1' 2 0     8 1 Paul Pickering (g) 3 3 3 3       12  
Andy Moore 1' 2' 2 2 2     9 2 Sebastien Tressarieu f 1 1 3       5  
Brent Werner (g) 1' 0 2' 1       4 2 Adam Shields 3 3 6 3 2     17  
James Birkinshaw 0 3 2 2' 3 1'   11 2 Stephane Tressarieu 1 0 0 1 0     2  
Richard Hall 2' 2 1' 3 ef     8 2 Gary Phelps ef 0 0         0  
1 61.5 2-4 2-4 Bird, Wilson, Phillips, Birkinshaw(r/r)
2 62.8 5-1 7-5 Birkinshaw, Hall, Stephane Tressarieu, Phelps(ef)
3 61.6 3-3 10-8 Pickering, Ashworth, Moore, Sebastien Tressariu(f)
4 61.8 3-3 13-11 Shields, Hall, Werner, Phelps
5 60.5 5-1 18-12 Ashworth, Moore, Phillips, Bird(fx)
6 61.1 3-3 21-15 Shields, Wilson, Hall, Stephane Tressarieu
7 62.0 2-4 23-19 Pickering, Birkinshaw, Sebastien Tressarieu, Werner
8 62.2 5-1 28-20 Hall, Birkinshaw(r/r), Philips, Stephane Tressarieu
9 60.9 3-6 31-26 Shields(joker), Moore, Ashworth, Phelps
10 61.5 2-4 33-30 Pickering, Moore(r/r), Sebastien Tressarieu, Wilson
11 62.6 5-1 38-31 Birkinshaw, Werner, Phillips, Bird
12 61.5 2-4 40-35 Pickering, Ashworth, Stephane Tressarieu, Hall(ef)
13 62.0 1-5 41-40 Shields, Bird, Werner, Wilson(r)
14 62.1 3-3 44-43 Sebastien Tressarieu, Moore, Birkinshaw, Stephane Tressarieu
15 61.8 3-3 47-46 Wilson, Shields, Bird, Ashworth

Richard Hall and James Birkinshaw rode their bollocks off and fully deserved to have a hand on the KO Cup but sadly it was not to be. Brent may have been a saviour to us on our recent travels but unless Owlerton is almost under water he hasn't a chance here. Couple that with Sean running consecutive lasts and being unable to pass Seb Tressarieu for the odd point and another piece of silverware has gone adrift. Ah well. All the more to fight for next year!!

Monday 13th October: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 62 90 Wolverhampton 'Central Mortgages' Cubs 28 85
Richard Hall 3 3 3 1 2'     12 1 Glyn Taylor 2 3 3 3 2 0   13  
David Speight 1 1 2' 2'       6 2 Andrew Jackson 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 3 2 2' 3       10 1 Rob Finlow rider replacement (6)  
Luke Priest 2' 1' 3 2'       8 3 Jeremy Pestell 0 0 1 0       1  
Ben Wilson (c) 3 2 2 3 3     13   Matthew Wethers 2 2 ef 1 2 0 1 8  
Paul Cooper 3 1' 0 3       7 1 Lawrence Needs ef 0 1 1'       2 1
Gary Flint 2' 1 3 0       6 1 Jack Hargreaves 1 0 1 1       3  
  Tom Matlak 1 0           1  
1 64.2 4-2 4-2 Hall, Taylor, Speight, Jackson
2 65.5 5-1 9-3 Cooper, Flint, Hargreaves, Needs(ef)
3 awd 5-1 14-4 Compton, Priest(+15), Matlak, Pestell(fx)
4 65.4 4-2 18-6 Wilson, Wethers, Flint, Hargreaves
5 65.4 3-3 21-9 Taylor, Compton, Priest, Jackson
6 63.7 4-2 25-11 Hall, Wethers, Speight, Needs
7   3-3 28-14 Taylor, Wilson, Cooper, Pestell
8   5-1 33-15 Flint, Speight, Hargreaves, Jackson
9 67.0 5-1 38-16 Priest, Compton, Needs, Wethers(ef)
10 65.2 5-1 43-17 Hall, Speight, Pestell, Matlak
11 65.4 2-4 45-21 Taylor, Wilson, Wethers, Cooper
12 66.9 3-3 48-24 Compton, Wethers, Needs, Flint
13 64.8 4-2 52-26 Wilson, Taylor, Hall, Wethers
14 67.8 5-1 57-27 Cooper, Priest, Hargreaves, Pestell
15 65.0 5-1 54-35 Wilson, Hall, Wethers, Taylor

Monday 13th October: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 64 95 Rye House 'Elmside' Raiders 26 84
Richard Hall 3 3 3 3 3     15   Barrie Evans rider replacement (6) (1)
David Speight 1 2' 1' 1       5 2 James Cockle (c) 0 0 3 2 2 1   8  
Benji Compton 1 1' 3 3       8 1 Joel Parsons 2 2 3 ns       7  
Luke Priest 3 2 2' 2'       9 2 Michael Mitchell 0 2 0 0 1' 0   3 1
Ben Wilson (c) 3 3 3 2' 2'     13 2 James Theobold 0 0 0 1 0     1  
Paul Cooper 2' x x 3       5 1 Barry Birchatt 1 1 1' 1 1     5 1
Gary Flint 3 2' 2 2'       9 2 Harland Cook 0 1 0 0 1     2  
1 63.8 4-2 4-2 Hall, Parsons, Speight, Cockle
2 67.9 5-1 9-3 Flint, Cooper, Birchatt, Cook
3 66.1 4-2 13-5 Priest, Parsons, Compton, Mitchell
4 64.5 5-1 18-6 Wilson, Flint, Cook, Theobald(f)
5 66.2 3-3 21-9 Parsons, Priest, Compton, Cockle
6 63.7 5-1 26-10 Hall, Speight, Birchatt, Theobald
7 65.5 3-3 29-13 Wilson, Mitchell, Birchatt, Cooper(x), Parsons(f,ns)
8 66.2 3-3 32-16 Cockle, Flint, Speight, Mitchell
9 66.6 5-1 37-17 Compton, Priest, Birchatt, Theobald
10 63.3 4-2 41-19 Hall, Cockle, Speight, Mitchell
11   3-3 44-22 Wilson, Cockle, Mitchell, Cooper(x)
12 67.0 5-1 49-23 Compton, Flint, Birchatt, Cook
13 63.1 5-1 54-24 Hall, Wilson, Theobald, Cook
14 66.8 5-1 59-25 Cooper, Priest, Birchatt, Mitchell
15 63.5 5-1 64-26 Hall, Wilson, Cockle, Theobald

9th Oct: OZCHEM Top Gun Championship

Mark ThompsonBoston 3 0 3 3 3 12 4th
Paul CooperSheffield 0 3 ef 2 ef 5 11th
John OliverBuxton 1 3 1 1 1 7 10th
Ben Wilson Sheffield 2 2 3 3 2 12 2nd
Paul Lee Mildenhall 3 3 3 3 3 15 1ST
Danny Norton Peterborough 0 2 2 2 2 8 8th
Darren MallettBoston 1 1 0 2 1 5 12th
Richard Hall Sheffield 2 3 3 3 2 13 3rd
Lee DerbyshireBuxton 2 2 2 1 2 9 6th
Benji Compton Sheffield 3 1 1 2 1 8 7th
David Speight Sheffield 0 2 0 0 fx 2 15th
Michael Mitchell Sheffield 1 r 1 1 0 3 14th
Chris Collins Buxton 3 1 2 1 3 10 5th
Luke Priest Sheffield ef fx       0 17th
Jonathan Bethell Buxton 1 0 2 0 0 3 13th
James Wright Buxton 2 1 1 0 3 7 9th
Ben Warburton (res)Sheffield     0 0 1 1 16th
1 63.7 Thompson, Wilson, Oliver, Cooper
2 62.5 Lee, Hall, Mallett(ef), Norton
3 66.4 Compton, Derbyshire, Mitchell, Speight(f/rem)
4 62.5 Collins, Wright, Bethell, Priest
5 63.5 Lee, Derbyshire, Collins, Thompson,
6 65.0 Cooper, Norton, Compton, Priest
7 66.7 Oliver, Speight, Mallett, Bethell
8 64.0 Hall, Wilson, Wright, Mitchell
9 64.6 Thompson, Norton, Wright, Speight
10 64.2 Lee, Bethell, Mitchell, Cooper(ef)
11 63.9 Hall, Derbyshire, Oliver, Warburton
12 65.0 Wilson, Collins, Compton, Mallett
13 63.4 Thompson Mallett, Mitchell, Warburton
14 64.8 Hall, Cooper, Collins, Speight
15 65.4 Lee, Compton, Oliver, Wright
16 65.4 Wilson, Norton, Derbyshire, Bethell
17 63.3 Thompson, Hall, Compton, Bethell
18 66.7 Wright, Derbyshire, Mallett, Cooper(ef)
19 65.4 Collins, Norton, Oliver, Mitchell
20 64.8 Lee, Wilson, Warburton(f/rem), Speight(fx)
semi 64.9 Thompson, Wilson, Collins, Derbyshire
final 63.0 Lee, Wilson, Hall, Thompson

Thursday 2nd October: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 86 Edinburgh 'Fulfilment Factory' Monarchs 32 94
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3     15   Frede Schott (c) 2 1' 1' 1       5 2
Ross Brady rider replacement (5) (1) Theo Pijper 1' 2 1 2 3 0   9 1
Ricky Ashworth 0 ef 2' 3       5 1 Peter Carr 3 r 0 1       4  
Andy Moore 2 3 2 3 2 2'   14 1 Magnus Karlsson 1 1 1 0       3  
Paul Pickering (g) 3 2' 3 2'       10 2 Rory Schlein 2 2 3 1 0 1   9  
James Birkinshaw 0 3 3 2' 2' 1'   11 3 Wayne Carter 0 0 0         0  
Richard Hall 2' r 1 0 x2     3 1 Matthew Wethers 1 1' 0         2 1
1 63.4 3-3 3-3 Wilson, Schott, Pijper, Birkinshaw(r/r)
2 63.1 5-1 8-4 Birkinshaw, Hall, Wethers, Carter
3 64.2 2-4 10-6 Carr, Moore, Karlsson, Ashworth
4 63.7 3-3 13-11 Pickering, Schlein, Wethers, Hall(f/rem, r)
5 63.8 3-3 16-14 Moore, Pijper, Schott, Ashworth(ef)
6 63.3 4-2 20-16 Wilson, Schlein, Hall(r/r), Carter
7 63.0 5-1 25-17 Birkinshaw, Pickering, Karlsson, Carr(r)
8 61.7 2-4 27-21 Schlein(t/s), Moore(r/r), Pijper, Hall
9 62.1 5-1 32-22 Moore, Ashworth, Schlein, Carter
10 62.8 5-1 37-23 Wilson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Karlsson, Carr
11 63.4 3-3 40-26 Pickering, Pijper, Schott, Hall(2 mins)
12 61.1 5-1 45-27 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Carr, Wethers
13 62.6 5-1 50-28 Wilson, Pickering, Schott, Schlein
14 62.8 3-3 53-31 Pijper(t/s), Moore, Birkinshaw, Karlsson
15 62.6 5-1 58-32 Wilson, Moore, Schlein, Pijper(+15, r)

Rory Schlein returned to his Conference League 'home' track intent on showing us what progress he's made. His first outing saw him elbow Paul Pickering out of his way into the first turn, but Pickers is on fire at the moment and soon put the young Aussie in his place. Heat 8 saw Rory trap first, and when Andy Moore tried the wide line out of turn 4 he found the door closed firmly in his face. Andy didn't make the same mistake next time out, and the pointless Ricky Ashworth redeemed himself with a glorious outside swoop on the very last bend. Paul Pickering made no bones about stitching Rory up on the first turn of heat 13, and then set out after Frede Schott whom he passed on the back straight on lap 2. Heat 15 saw Andy and Rory scrapping once again, and after two laps when there just wasn't enough room between Rory's back wheel and the fence Andy switched to a different tack. His tight line on the 1st and 2nd turns didn't quite achieve the objective, but Andy certainly made the inside of the 3rd turn pay (eat your heart out Peter Carr!) and it was a thoroughly pissed-off young Aussie who dumped his bike by the pit gate before storming off the track!

28th Sept: Premier League Riders Championship

Michal MakovskyBerwick 1 2 2 0 1 6 11th
Shane ParkerKings Lynn 3 0 0 3 2 8 7th
Garry SteadHull 2 0 2 3 2 9 5th
Jan Stæchmann Stoke 0 f 1 2 0 3 14th
Craig Watson Newport 2 3 2 2 2 11 4th
Sean Wilson Sheffield 3 2 3 3 1 12 1ST
Chris HarrisTrelawny ef 2 3 1 3 9 6th
Joonas Kylmakorpi Arena Essex 1 1 1 0 3 6 10th
James GrievesGlasgow 0 0 0 0 0 0 16th
Mark Lemon Somerset 2 1 0 r 0 3 15th
Kenneth Bjerre Newcastle 1 3 0 2 1 7 8th
Adam Shields Isle of Wight 3 3 3 2 3 14 2nd
Andrew Appleton Reading 1 1 2 1 0 5 12th
Carl Stonehewer Workington 3 3 3 3 3 15 3rd
Paul Fry Swindon f 1 1 1 2 5 13th
Frede Schott Edinburgh 2 2 1 1 1 7 9th
1 61.4 Parker, Stead, Makovsky, Stæchmann
2 62.5 Wilson, Watson, Kylmakorpi, Harris(ef)
3 62.1 Shields, Lemon, Bjerre, Grieves
4 62.5 Stonehewer, Schott, Appleton, Fry(f)
5 61.5 Watson, Makovsky, Appleton, Grieves
6 61.4 Stonehewer, Wilson, Lemon, Parker
7 61.5 Bjerre, Harris, Fry, Stead
8 62.1 Shields, Schott, Kylmakorpi, Stæchmann
9 62.0 Wilson, Makovsky, Schott, Bjerre
10 62.1 Shields, Watson, Fry, Parker
11 62.9 Stonehewer, Stead, Kylmakorpi, Grieves
12 63.2 Harris, Appleton, Stæchmann, Lemon
13   Stonehewer, Shields, Harris, Makovsky
14 62.2 Parker, Bjerre, Appleton, Kylmakorpi
15 62.3 Stead, Watson, Schott, Lemon
16 62.3 Wilson, Fry, Stæchmann, Grieves
17 62.2 Kylmakorpi, Fry, Makovsky, Lemon
18 62.0 Harris, Parker, Schott, Grieves
19 61.7 Shields, Stead, Wilson, Appleton
20 62.8 Stonehewer, Watson, Bjerre, Stæchmann
semi 61.6 Wilson, Watson, Stead, Harris(f)
final 60.7 Wilson, Shields, Stonehewer, Watson

Racing in the early stages of this meeting was poor as the riders struggled on a grippy track. Carl Stonehewer was the pick of the bunch and rode unbeaten to qualify directly to the final. Adam Shields dropped just one point to Carl, and was involved in some of the best races of the night, especially a thrilling last bend pass of Garry Stead in heat 19 even though second place would have made no difference to the result. Sean chose gate one in the semi-final and nailed on of his best starts to make it into the final. Carl off gate one, and Adam off gate two had both previously beaten Sean, and when they gated ahead in the final it looked to be all over, but Sean swept around Carl out of turn two and exploited the wide open gap on the inside of turn 3 to draw level with Adam. Rubbing shoulders down the home straight Sean powered tight into turn 1 before drifting out to the fast line out of turn 2 and after that was able to pull steadily clear to win in the fastest time of the night.

Being made favourite by the bookmakers, coupled with home track advantage must have put a lot of extra pressure on Sean but he certainly rose to the occasion and having passed his two main rivals in the final he must surely be hailed a very worthy champion.

p.s. Lovely to see James Grieves in good health!

Thursday 25th September: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43   Eastbourne 'Cinque Ports Holidays' Eagles 47  
Sean Wilson (c) 2 3 1 3 3 3 3 18   Mark Loram 3 3 3 2 2     13  
Ross Brady 1' 0 1 0       2 1 Mark Burrows 0 0 2' 2'       4 2
Ricky Ashworth fx 2 3 2 2' 0   9 1 Dean Barker (c)   2 1' 0       3 1
Andy Moore 3 1' 1' 0 1'     6 3 Joonas Kylmakorpi 2 1' 2 3       8 1
André Compton r/r (6)   Adam Shields 2 3 3 1' 1'     10 2
James Birkinshaw 2' 0 1 2       5 1 Matt Read r 1' 2' 3 1 fx   7 2
Ben Wilson 3 0 0         3   Joel Parsons 1 1' x2 0       2 1
Richard Hall ef             0    
1 61.2 3-3 3-3 Loram, S.Wilson, Brady, Burrows
2 64.8 5-1 8-4 B.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Parsons, Read(f/rem, ret)
3 62.6 3-3 11-7 Moore, Kylmakorpi, Parsons, Ashworth(fx), (Barker not arrived)
4 61.7 3-3 14-10 S.Wilson(r/r), Shields, Read, B.Wilson, Parsons(2 mins)
5 60.6 3-3 17-13 Loram, Ashworth, Moore, Burrows
6 60.7 1-5 18-18 Shields, Read, S.Wilson, Brady
7 60.5 3-3 21-21 Ashworth(r/r), Barker, Kylmakorpi, Birkinshaw
8 62.6 1-5 22-26 Read, Burrows, Brady, B.Wilson
9 60.3 3-3 25-29 Shields, Ashworth, Moore, Parsons (= track record!)
10 60.2 3-3 28-32 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Barker, Brady (new track record!!)
11 60.0 1-5 29-37 Loram, Burrows, Birkinshaw, Hall(r/r, ef) (NEW track record!!!)
12 60.9 5-1 34-38 S.Wilson(t/s), Ashworth, Read, Barker
13 60.4 3-3 37-41 S.Wilson, Loram, Shields, Moore(r/r)
14 awd 3-3 40-44 Kylmakorpi, Birkinshaw, Moore, Read(fx)
15 61.0 3-3 43-47 S.Wilson, Loram, Shields, Ashworth

Elite league Eastbourne 'weakened' their side to step down a division by introducing Wimbledon, Wolverhampton & Belle Vue's Mark Burrows, and the IOW's Owlerton specialist Adam Shields. The resulting squad achieved what Coventry and Belle Vue had previously failed to do and ended the Tigers 5 year, 125 match unbeaten home sequence.

To make it a real night for the record books Adam Shields first equalled the 4 year old track record of 60.3 secs in heat 9, then Sean Wilson made it 60.2 in heat 10, before Mark Loram scorched around in 60.0 in heat 11. What chance someone will go under 1 minute in the PLRC on Sunday?

Can someone explain to me why it was that Matt Read rode at No.4 the other week (13 Sept) with Joonas at reserve, but last night Matt was at reserve and Joonas at No.4? I know the Elite league sides make the rules up as they go along in this competition but surely thay can't juggle averages as well?

Friday 19th September: Premier League KO Cup
Arena Essex 55 96 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43 100
Joonas Kylmakorpi 2 2 3 2' 3     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 2 6 x 1   14  
Henning Bager 1' 1' 2 2'       6 3 Ross Brady f 0 3 0       3  
Kelvin Tatum 3 3 2 3       11   Ricky Ashworth 1 1' 1 2       5 1
Lee Herne 2' 1 1' 2       6 2 Andrew Moore 0 2 0 6       8  
Leigh Lanham 3 3 2 3 2'     13 1 Brent Werner (g) 2 3 3 2 0     10  
Jason King 2 0 1' 1 1'     5 2 James Birkinshaw 3 0 0 0       3  
Daniel King 1' 1 0         2 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0         0  
1 58.5 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Bager, Brady(f)
2 61.1 3-3 6-6 Birkinshaw, J.King, D.King, B.Wilson
3 60.0 5-1 11-7 Tatum, Herne, Ashworth, Moore
4 60.0 4-2 15-9 Lanham, Werner, D.King, B.Wilson
5 60.3 4-2 19-11 Tatum, S.Wilson, Herne, Brady
6 59.0 3-3 22-14 Werner, Kylmakorpi, Bager, Birkinshaw(r)
7 59.4 3-3 25-17 Lanham, Moore, Ashworth, J.King
8 59.5 2-5 27-22 Brady, Bager, S.Wilson(G/d t/s), D.King
9 59.5 3-3 30-25 Werner, Tatum, Herne, Birkinshaw
10 59.6 5-1 35-26 Kylmakorpi, Bager, Ashworth, Moore
11 59.4 3-6 38-32 S.Wilson(joker), Lanham, J.King, Brady
12 60.6 4-2 42-34 Tatum, Ashworth, J.King, Birkinshaw
13 awd 5-2 47-36 Lanham, Kylmakorpi, Werner(joker), S.Wilson(x)
14 60.0 3-6 50-42 Moore(joker), Herne, J.King, B.Wilson
15 59.6 5-1 55-43 Kylmakorpi, Lanham, S.Wilson, Werner

Neil Machin paid tribute to the Tigers who all played their part in this semi-final victory against a well coordinated Hammers side who did their best to deny the Tigers the chance to defend the trophy they won last year. Andy Moore's crucial Golden victory in heat 14 sealed the win and Sean Wilson received the 'Rider of the night' trophy much to the displeasure of the home fans.

Thursday 18th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 101 Hull Vikings 32 79
Sean Wilson (c) 1 3 3 3 3 3   16   Paul Thorp 2 1 r 3 r     6  
Ross Brady 3 2' 1 1       7 1 Shaun Tacey 0 0 2' 2' 1     5 2
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 3 3 2'     12 3 Emil Kramer 1 3 3 2 2     11  
Andy Moore 3 3 2' 2' 3     13 2 Steve Bishop 0 0 0 2       2  
André Compton rider replacement (7) (2) Garry Stead (c) 1' 1 1 1       4 1
James Birkinshaw 3 2 0 1       6   Simon Cartwright 1 2 1' 0       4 1
Ben Wilson 2' 0 0 0       2 1 Barrie Evans 0 x2 0 0       0  
Richard Hall 1' 1           2 1  
1 62.1 4-2 4-2 Brady, Thorp, S.Wilson, Tacey
2 64.3 5-1 9-3 Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Cartwright, Evans
3 60.4 5-1 14-4 Moore, Ashworth, Kramer, Bishop
4 61.1 3-3 17-7 S.Wilson(r/r), Cartwright, Stead, B.Wilson, Evans(2 mins)
5 61.1 5-1 22-8 Moore, Ashworth, Thorp, Tacey
6 61.2 5-1 27-9 S.Wilson, Brady, Stead, Evans
7 62.5 3-3 30-12 Kramer, Birkinshaw, Hall(r/r), Bishop
8 62.6 1-5 31-17 Kramer(t/s), Tacey, Brady, B.Wilson
9 61.3 5-1 36-18 Ashworth, Moore, Stead, Thorp(t/s, r)
10 62.0 4-2 40-20 S.Wilson, Kramer, Brady, Bishop
11 61.9 1-5 41-25 Thorp, Tacey, Hall, Birkinshaw
12 62.4 3-3 44-28 Ashworth, Kramer, Cartwright, B.Wilson
13 62.6 5-1 49-29 S.Wilson, Moore, Stead, Thorp(r)
14 62.9 4-2 53-31 Moore, Bishop, Birkinshaw, Evans
15 62.1 5-1 58-32 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Tacey, Cartwright

Emil Kramer was the pick of the bunch for the visitors. Garry Stead suffered an engine failure exiting the last bend in heat 4 and never looked on the pace after that. Steven Bishop was slow and scored his points when James Birkinshaw's bike expired on the last lap of heat 14. Shaun Tacey bounced back from two lasts and passed both Ben and Ross on the second lap of heat 8. Simon failed to impress, and the Conference League riders champion was way off the pace. Last but not least Paul Thorp, although if I wrote the way he rode I wouldn't be able to finish this sentence. He trapped (twice) in the lead in heat 11 to take a convincing victory, but in heats 9 and 13 when he didn't anticipate the start he just couldn't be bothered to do 4 laps.

Sean recovered from mechanical problems first time out to record 5 comfortable race wins, Ross held off Thorp to win heat 1 and Ricky claimed a fine paid maximum. James also suffered mechanically in his last ride, and after a flyer in heat 2 Ben looked to be tiring. Richard Hall will be a belter when he learns how to gate, but my rider of the night was Andy Moore who, on his way to a fine paid maximum, recorded the fastest time for some 4 years as he came within 0.1 secs of the track record in heat 3.

Friday 12th September: Premier League
Somerset Rebels 37 64 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 53 116
Mark Lemon 2 2 r 1       5   Sean Wilson (c) 3 2' 3 3 2'     13 2
Matt Read 1' 1' 3 1 r     6 2 Ross Brady 0 3 2 1       6  
Mario Jirout r r 1' 1       2 1 Ricky Ashworth 2 3 3 2       10  
Graeme Gordon 3 1 2 2 2 1   11   Andrew Moore 1' 2' 2' 3       8 3
Glenn Cunningham 2 1 r 3 0     6   Brent Werner (g) 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1
Craig Branney 1 0 1'         2 1 James Birkinshaw 2 r 0 0       2  
Rob Finlow 3 1' 1         5 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0 0       0  
1 57.09 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Lemon, Read, Brady
2 59.79 4-2 7-5 Finlow, Birkinshaw, Branney, B.Wilson
3 58.74 3-3 10-8 Gordon, Ashworth, Moore, Jirout(r)
4 57.57 3-3 13-11 Werner, Cunningham, Finlow, B.Wilson
5 58.16 1-5 14-16 Brady, S.Wilson, Gordon(f/rem), Jirout(ef)
6 58.09 3-3 17-19 Werner, Lemon, Read, Birkinshaw(r)
7 58.72 1-5 18-24 Ashworth, Moore, Cunningham, Branney
8 58.77 4-2 22-26 Read, Brady, Finlow, B.Wilson
9 58.37 3-3 25-29 Werner, Gordon, Jirout, Birkinshaw
10 58.10 1-5 26-34 Ashworth, Moore, Read, Lemon(r)
11 58.99 2-4 28-38 S.Wilson, Gordon, Brady, Cunningham(r)
12 58.53 4-2 32-40 Cunningham, Ashworth, Jirout, Birkinshaw
13 59.08 1-5 33-45 S.Wilson, Werner, Lemon, Cunningham
14 58.92 3-3 36-48 Moore, Gordon, Branney, B.Wilson
15 59.29 1-5 37-53 Werner, S.Wilson, Gordon, Read(r)

Thursday 11th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 55 88 Trelawny 'JAG' Tigers 34 91
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 ef 3 2 1   12   Matej Zagar 2 2 3 ef 3 3   13  
Ross Brady 1 3 2 2' x2     8 1 Steve Masters 0 ef ef         0  
Ricky Ashworth 3 3 3 1' 3 r   13 1 Pavel Ondrasik (c) 1 2 1 2 1     7  
Andy Moore 2' 1 2 0 3     8 1 Richard Wolff 0 0 0 0       0  
André Compton r/r (7) (1) Simon Stead (g) 2 fx 3 3 1 2'   11 1
James Birkinshaw 3 1 2 2'       8 1 Malcolm Holloway 0 2 0         2  
Richard Hall 2' 1 1' 1' 1     6 3 Tom Brown 1 0 fx         1  
1 61.9 4-2 4-2 Wilson, Zagar, Brady, Masters
2 62.8 5-1 9-3 Birkinshaw, Hall, Brown, Holloway
3 62.5 5-1 14-4 Ashworth, Moore, Ondrasik, Wolff
4 60.8 4-2 18-6 Wilson(r/r), Stead, Hall, Brown
5 61.5 4-2 22-8 Ashworth, Zagar, Moore, Masters
6 62.7 3-2 25-10 Brady, Holloway, Wilson(ef), Stead(fx)
7 61.8 4-2 29-12 Ashworth(r/r), Ondrasik, Birkinshaw, Wolff
8 61.3 3-3 32-15 Zagar(t/s), Brady, Hall, Masters(ef)
9 61.9 3-3 35-18 Stead, Moore, Ashworth, Holloway
10 62.2 5-1 40-19 Wilson, Brady, Ondrasik, Wolff
11 61.3 3-3 43-22 Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw, Hall, Zagar(ef), Brady(r/r, 2 mins)
12 awd 4-2 47-24 Ashworth, Ondrasik, Hall, Brown(fx)
13 61.5 2-4 49-28 Zagar, Wilson, Stead, Moore
14 62.7 5-1 54-29 Moore, Birkinshaw, Ondrasik(t/s), Wolff
15 61.6 1-5 55-34 Zagar, Stead, Wilson, Ashworth

Thursday 4th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 57   Arena Essex 'AF Stocktaking' Hammers 41  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Kelvin Tatum (c) 1 2 4 2 2 1'   12 1
Ross Brady 3 2' 3 1 3 0   12 1 Henning Bager r/r (4)  
Ricky Ashworth 2 3 1 3 0     9   Leigh Lanham 3 6 2 2 2 2   17  
Andy Moore fx 1 ef 3 3     7   Lee Herne 1 r 1 0 ef     2  
André Compton r/r (6)   Joonas Kylmakorpi 1 1 4 1'       7 1
James Birkinshaw 3 2 1 2'       8 1 Jason King 2 0 ef 0 0 0 1' 3 1
Richard Hall 1 2' 1 0       4 1 Daniel King 0 f           0  
1 62.7 5-1 5-1 Brady, Wilson, Tatum, D.King(r/r)
2 64.2 4-2 9-3 Birkinshaw, J.King, Hall, D.King(f)
3 63.4 2-4 11-7 Lanham, Ashworth, Herne, Moore(fx)
4 63.5 5-1 16-8 Wilson(r/r), Hall, Kylmakorpi, J.King
5 62.3 4-2 20-10 Ashworth, Tatum, Moore, Herne(r/r)
6 62.9 5-1 25-11 Wilson, Brady, Kylmakorpi, J.King(ef)
7 63.3 2-7 27-18 Lanhan(joker), Birkinshaw, Herne, Moore(ef)
8 62.8 4-4 31-22 Brady, Tatum(r/r, joker), Hall, J.King
9 62.2 4-4 35-26 Moore, Kylmakorpi(joker), Ashworth, J.King
10 62.3 4-2 39-28 Wilson, Lanham, Brady, Herne
11 61.9 4-2 43-30 Brady(r/r), Tatum, Birkinshaw, J.King
12 62.0 3-3 46-33 Ashworth, Lanham, J.King, Hall
13 62.1 3-3 49-36 Wilson, Tatum, Kylmakorpi, Ashworth(r/r)
14 62.4 5-2 54-38 Moore, Birkinshaw, Lanham(Golden Double t/s), Herne(ef)
15 61.6 3-3 57-41 Wilson, Lanham, Tatum, Brady

With the League championship heading north of the border the Tigers knuckled down to the task of defending their K.O. Cup. The first leg was 'rained off' due to the absence of Joonas Kylmakorpi so the Tigers just had to concentrate on building up a healthy lead to take to Purfleet on the 19th.

They started in style with Sean shepherding Ross to a maximum in heat 1, and Richard Hall passed Daniel King to extend the lead in heat 2. Trailing at the back Daniel drifted very wide exiting the last bend and took an untidy tumble as he clipped the fence injuring his hand in the process. Heat 3 saw Ricky leading until Andy took a tumble back in 3rd place. Leigh Lanham led the restart and cleverly contained Ricky's last lap 3rd bend challenge by glueing him to the white line.

Sean won heat 4 but the biggest cheer went to rookie Richard Hall who grabbed a handfull of throttle to sweep past Grand Prix rider Joonas Kylmakorpi to follow his skipper home for another 5-1. Ricky outpaced Kelvin to win heat 5, and Joonas trailed Sean and Ross in heat 6.

Then the pissing about started. Leigh was nominated as a golden joker in heat 7, and can consider himself lucky that Andy Moore's machine packed in moments after Andy had swept into the lead exiting the 4th bend on lap 3. Rider replacement Kelvin was similarly nominated in heat 8 but trailed behind Ross, and then Joonas failed to make full use of his joker in heat 9 following Andy home, with Ricky never recovering from a piss poor start. Sean blasted around Leigh on the 3rd turn to win heat 10, and Ross won heat 11 from Kelvin with James Birkinshaw right on his heels. Ricky bounced back to claim heat 12, but again missed out in heat 13 while his skipper cruised to another win.

Leigh Lanham was made a golden double tactical susbstitute in heat 14, but although he passed his team mate by the 3rd bend he never even got on terms with young Andy and James who both looked like their tails were on fire. Ross got the nod for heat 15 but was squeezed out in a hectic first bend while Sean put the finishing touches to his paid maximum. Sixteen points ahead, and all those stupid jokers to play with when we travel down to Purfleet in 2 weeks time. Rider replacement for André only generated 6 points tonight (although equally Henning Bager should have been worth more than the 4 points his replacements scored) so it's fingers crossed that André will be properly recovered in time for the return leg.

Wednesday 3rd September: Premier League
Hull Vikings 47   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43  
Paul Thorp 1' 2 3 3 3     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 1 2     12  
Shaun Tacey 2 1' 3 2'       8 2 Ross Brady r 0 0         0  
Chris Manchester (g) 0 1' 2 2       5 1 Ricky Ashworth 3 3 1 3 0     10  
Simon Cartwright 1 2 2' 1' 2     8 2 Andrew Moore 2' 2' 0 3       7 2
Gary Stead 2 fx 2 2' 1     7 1 Scott Robson (g) 3 3 3 0       9  
Benji Compton 2 1 0         3   James Birkinshaw f 0 0         0  
Barrie Evans 1' 1' 1' 1'       4 4 Richard Hall 3 f 1 f 1 0   5  
1 67.2 3-3 3-3 Wilson, Tacey, Thorp, Brady(r)
2 70.1 3-3 6-6 Hall, Compton, Evans, Birkinshaw(f)
3 68.9 1-5 7-11 Ashworth, Moore, Cartwright, Manchester
4 68.5 3-3 10-14 Robson, Stead, Evans, Hall(f)
5 68.9 3-3 13-17 Wilson, Cartwright, Manchester, Brady
6 67.8 3-3 16-20 Robson, Thorp, Tacey, Birkinshaw
7 69.6 1-5 17-25 Ashworth, Moore, Compton, Stead(fx)
8 69.5 5-1 22-26 Tacey, Cartwright(t/s), Hall, Brady
9 67.7 3-3 25-29 Robson, Manchester, Cartwright, Birkinshaw
10 68.3 5-1 30-30 Thorp, Tacey, Ashworth, Moore
11 68.8 3-3 33-33 Wilson, Stead, Evans, Hall
12 68.6 2-4 35-37 Ashworth, Manchester, Hall, Compton
13 68.5 5-1 40-38 Thorp, Stead, Wilson, Robson
14 68.7 3-3 43-41 Moore, Cartwright, Evans, Hall
15 68.3 4-2 47-43 Thorp, Wilson, Stead, Ashworth

Monday 1st September: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 54   Oxford Silver Machine 35  
Richard Hall 3 3 2 3 3 3   17   Chris Mills 2 3 3 2 2 2   14  
Luke Priest 1 2' 2 1'       6 2 Darren Andrews 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 2' 1' 3 0 2 1   9 2 Chris Schramm 1 1 3 3 3     11  
David Speight 3 2 3 1 1     10   Carl Downs 0 0 0         0  
Ben Wilson (c) r/r (9) Joe Cook ef x2 r 0       0  
Paul Cooper 3 2' 1 fx       6 1 Chris Johnson 1 1 1' 0 0     3 1
Gary Flint 2' ef 1' 1'       4 3 Ben Barker 0 3 0 2 2'     7 1
Michael Mitchell 2             2    
1 63.9 4-2 4-2 Hall, Mills, Priest, Andrews
2 65.0 5-1 9-3 Cooper, Flint, Johnson, Barker
3 63.3 5-1 14-4 Speight, Compton, Schramm, Downs
4 66.1 2-3 16-7 Barker, Mitchell, Cook(ef), Flint(ef)
5 63.9 3-3 19-10 Mills, Speight, Compton, Andrews
6 64.0 5-1 24-11 Hall, Priest, Johnson, Barker
7 64.5 5-1 29-12 Compton(r/r), Cooper, Schramm, Downs
8 64.4 3-3 32-15 Mills(t/s), Priest, Flint, Cook(t/s, r)
9 65.6 3-3 35-18 Speight, Barker, Johnson, Compton
10 65.1 3-3 38-21 Schramm, Hall, Priest, Downs
11 63.8 4-2 42-23 Hall(r/r), Mills, Cooper, Andrews
12 66.0 3-3 45-26 Schramm, Compton, Flint, Johnson
13 64.7 4-2 49-28 Hall, Mills, Speight(r/r), Cook
14 awd 1-5 50-33 Schramm, Barker, Speight(f/rem), Cooper(fx),
15 64.5 4-2 54-35 Hall, Mills, Compton, Johnson

Monday 1st September: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 67 119 Carmarthen Dragons 22 59
Richard Hall 3 3 3 3 ef 3   15   Ben Powell 2 3 ef r 3 1   9  
Luke Priest 1 2' 3 2' 2'     10 3 Corey Blackman r/r (1)
Benji Compton 2' 2 2' ef       6 2 Gordon Meakins 0 0 1 0 1'     2 1
David Speight 3 1' 3 3 3     13 1 Dean Felton (c) 1 0 0 1 1     3  
Ben Wilson (c) r/r (10) (1) Michael Mitchell 0 1 1 1       3  
Paul Cooper 3 2' 3 2 2'     12 2 Darren Hatton f 0 0 1 2 0   3  
Gary Flint 2' 2' 2' 3 2'     11 4 Danny Hodgson ef 1 1 0       2  
1 63.9 4-2 4-2 Hall, Powell, Priest, Meakins(r/r)
2 awd 5-0 9-2 Cooper, Flint, Hatton(f), Hodgson(ef)
3 65.6 5-1 14-3 Speight, Compton, Felton, Meakins
4 63.4 5-1 19-4 Hall(r/r), Flint, Hodgson, Mitchell
5 65.2 3-3 22-7 Powell, Compton, Speight, Felton(r/r)
6 64.4 5-1 27-8 Hall, Priest, Mitchell, Hatton
7 65.2 5-1 32-9 Speight(r/r), Cooper, Meakins, Felton
8 64.7 5-1 37-10 Priest, Flint, Meakins, Powell(t/s, ef)
9 65.2 5-1 42-11 Speight, Compton, Mitchell, Hatton
10 63.5 5-1 47-12 Hall, Priest, Felton, Meakins
11 65.5 5-1 52-13 Cooper, Priest, Hatton, Powell(r)
12 66.7 3-3 55-16 Flint, Hatton, Meakins, Compton(ef)
13 4.7 2-4 57-20 Powell, Cooper, Mitchell, Hall(ef)
14 66.3 5-1 62-21 Speight, Flint, Felton, Hodgson
15 64.5 5-1 67-22 Hall, Cooper, Powell, Hatton

Thursday 21st August: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 100 Reading 'Euphony' Racers 32 79
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Andrew Appleton 2 1 2 r 0 0   5  
Ross Brady 0 1 3 1       5   Paul Clews 1' 0 0 2 1 2   6 1
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 2' 3 1     10 3 Richard Hall 1 1' 0 0       2 1
Andy Moore 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Jonas Davidsson r/r (6)  
André Compton r/rt (5)   Gary Stead (g) 3 2 1 2 1 2   11  
James Birkinshaw 2 3 2' 2'       9 2 Danny Norton 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 1' 1 0 0       2 1 Adam Allott (g) 3 2' 1' 1 1'     8 3
Luke Priest 0 0           0    
1 62.5 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Appleton, Clews, Brady
2 63.3 3-3 6-6 Allott, Birkinshaw, Compton, Norton
3 61.6 5-1 11-7 Moore, Ashworth, Hall, Clews(r/r)
4 63.0 1-5 12-12 Stead, Allott, Compton, Priest(r/r)
5 62.8 5-1 17-13 Moore, Ashworth, Appleton, Clews
6 62.6 4-2 21-15 S.Wilson, Stead, Brady, Norton
7 63.9 3-3 24-18 Birkinshaw, Appleton(t/s), Hall, Priest(r/r)
8 62.6 3-3 27-21 Brady, Clews, Allott, Compton
9 61.8 5-1 32-22 Moore, Ashworth, Stead, Norton
10 62.3 4-2 36-24 S.Wilson, Stead(t/s), Brady, Hall
11 63.5 5-1 41-25 S.Wilson(r/r), Birkinshaw, Clews, Appleton(r)
12 62.8 5-1 46-26 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Allott, Hall
13 62.8 5-1 51-27 S.Wilson, Moore(r/r), Stead, Appleton
14 63.7 3-3 54-30 Moore, Clews(t/s), Allott, Compton
15 62.8 4-2 58-32 S.Wilson, Stead, Ashworth, Appleton

The Racers, already weakened by injuries to Phil Morris and Chris Schramm, were without both of their new signings. Jonas has a Danish meeting but Janusz Kolodziej's absence was never explained. With Richard Hall deputizing for the Racers as a heat leader terrace talk was of how close to 70 points we would get. Thankfully the opportunity was taken to give Luke Priest a couple of rides at No.8 and it demonstrated that he's not quite ready to step up just yet.

Ross Brady meekly let both Racers past on the first lap of heat 1, but was only beaten by the determined Gary Stead after that. James was good value for his points and swept past Andrew Appleton to win heat 7 while Ricky (despite another tumble) only lost his maximum to Gary Stead in heat 15. Andy Moore was flying and he and Sean never looked like being caught.

Guests Gary Stead and Adam Allott top scored for the visitors, but to be honest that doesn't mean much!

Thursday 14th August: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 51 97 Exeter SVR Falcons 39 83
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Seemond Stephens ef 0 2         2  
Ross Brady 2' 2' 2 2' 0     8 3 Scott Smith 1 2 3 3 3 2   14  
Ricky Ashworth 2' 3 fx 2 3 1   11 1 Lee Smethills 1 3 1 1       6  
Andy Moore 3 1 2 2 2     10   Krister Marsh 0 1 ef         1  
André Compton rider replacement (7)   Mark Simmonds (c) 2 1 3 1 1' 0   8 1
James Birkinshaw 2 0 0 0       2   Roger Lobb 3 0 1 0 2     6  
Benji Compton 0 1 0 1       2   Richard Hall 1 ef 1         2  
1 61.6 5-1 5-1 Wilson, Brady, Smith, Stephens(ef)
2 64.9 2-4 7-5 Lobb, Birkinshaw, Hall, Compton
3 63.4 5-1 12-6 Moore, Ashworth, Smethills, Marsh
4 63.3 4-2 16-8 Wilson(r/r), Simmonds, Compton, Hall
5 62.5 4-2 20-10 Ashworth, Smith, Moore, Stephens
6 61.5 5-1 25-11 Wilson, Brady, Simmonds, Lobb
7 62.5 2-4 27-15 Smethills, Moore(r/r), Marsh, Birkinshaw
8 62.6 2-4 29-19 Smith, Brady, Lobb, Compton
9 62.6 2-4 31-23 Simmonds, Moore, Smethills(t/s), Ashworth(fx)
10 62.1 5-1 36-24 Wilson, Brady, Smethills, Lobb
11 62.8 2-4 38-28 Smith, Ashworth(r/r), Simmonds(t/s), Birkinshaw
12 63.9 4-2 42-30 Ashworth, Lobb, Compton, Marsh(ef)
13 62.5 3-3 45-33 Wilson, Stephens, Simmonds, Brady(r/r)
14 63.7 2-4 47-37 Smith(t/s), Moore, Hall, Birkinshaw
15 63.2 4-2 51-39 Wilson, Smith, Ashworth, Simmonds

Predictably Scud was the pick of the visitors, but he even managed to alienate his 1st bend fan club when he dumped Ross into the fence in heat 8. Ross led the rerun briefly but when Scud got alongside him into turn 3 on the second lap he wisely chose not to contest the point.

The skipper was in superb form and never looked like being caught and received solid back-up from his colleagues. James looked down on power, and the battle of the Prowlers never really materialised but I suppose that Richard came out on top despite his engine problems.

Tuesday 12th August: Conference League
Wolverhampton Wolf Cubs 57   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 28  
Graham Jones 3 3 3 3 3     15   Richard Hall ef 2 1 3 2 1 0 9  
Jeremy Pestell fx f fx 1       1   Garry Flint 2 0 fx r 0     2  
Rob Finlow fx 2' 2' ns       4 2 Benji Compton fx 1' r fx 2'     3 2
Matt Wethers 3 3 2 1       10   Luke Priest 0 3 1' 3 3     10 1
Steve Braidford 3 3 3 2' 2'     13 2 Ben Wilson rider replacement (4)  
Lawrence Needs 2' 0 1 2' 0     5 2 David Speight x 1' 1         2 1
Scott Blackwell 3 1 2 3       9   Ben Warburton f 0 0         0  

A big win for the Wolf Cubs as the Prowlers struggled on the tight Monmore Green circuit. Every one of the Prowlers fell at least once but it wasn't only our lads who found conditions difficult as no fewer than five of the Wolf Cubs also came adrift.

Monday 11th August: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 45 71 Mildenhall Fen Tigers 45 108
Richard Hall 3 3 f 3 3 3   15   Wayne Broadhurst (c) 2 3 2 2' 1'     10 2
Michael Mitchell fx             0   Ben Howe rider replacement (7) (1)
Benji Compton 2 0 1 3 3 1   10   James Brundle 3 1 2' 2 2 ef   10 1
Luke Priest 1' 2 1 0 2     6 1 Lee Hodgson 0 3 1' 3 3     10 1
Ben Wilson (c) rider replacement 4   Nick Simmons 1' 2 3 2 2 2   12 1
David Speight 3 fx 3 1 1'     8 1 Matthew Wright 0 0 0 1'       1 1
Paul Cooper 2' 1 2 1 0 ef   6 1 Karl Langley 1 1 0 0       2  
Garry Flint 0             0    
1 awd 3-3 3-3 Hall, Broadhurst, Simmons(r/r), Mitchell(fx)
2 65.6 5-1 8-4 Speight, Cooper, Langley, Wright
3 65.9 3-3 11-7 Brundle, Compton, Priest, Hodgson
4 64.5 4-2 15-9 Hall(r/r), Simmons, Cooper, Wright
5 66.4 2-4 17-13 Broadhurst, Priest, Brundle, Compton
6 awd 2-4 19-17 Simmons, Cooper, Langley, Hall(fx)
7 awd 1-5 20-22 Hodgson, Brundle, Compton, Speight
8 65.3 4-2 24-24 Speight, Broadhurst(r/r), Cooper, Langley
9 65.3 4-2 28-26 Compton, Simmons, Priest, Wright
10 64.1 3-3 31-29 Hall, Brundle, Hodgson, Cooper
11 65.4 1-5 32-34 Hodgson, Broadhurst, Speight, Flint(r/r)
12 65.3 3-3 35-37 Compton, Brundle, Wright, Cooper(ef)
13 65.0 3-3 38-40 Hall, Simmons, Broadhurst, Priest
14 65.9 3-3 41-43 Hodgson, Priest, Speight, Langley
15 65.2 4-2 45-45 Hall, Simmons, Compton, Brundle(ef)

A real 'nail-biter' of a finish from the kids against the 'champions elect'. Michael Mitchell managed two laps this meeting, falling as he diced with Nick Simmons and damaging his knee ligaments. Paul Cooper on his debut passed Matthew Wright on the 1st turn of lap 4 to follow Dave Speight home. He then inherited the lead when Richard Hall shed a chain in heat 6, only for Nick Simmons to pass him before the race was stopped. He rode a tidy line in heat 8 and was in a comfortable 3rd when he threw a chain in heat 12 but all in all it looks as though the Prowlers have unearthed another tasty prospect.

Heat 5 was a corker with Benji Compton desperately trying to push Luke Priest home ahead of James Brundle. James tried the wide line on every turn but just couldn't get the advantage until a supreme effort on the last bend earned him the point. Top scorer (don't believe the official site!) Richard Hall was in a different league today which may be summed up by heat 10 when having gated last he passed Paul on the 2nd turn of the 1st lap, Lee Hodgson on the 2nd turn a lap later, and then James Brundle on the 2nd turn on lap 3, and then went on to win in the fastest time of the evening! This is the rider who will ride for the Falcons AGAINST us on Thursday!!

Thursday 7th August: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 55 103 Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters 35 77
Sean Wilson (c) 3 1 2' 3 3     12 1 Adrian Rymel (g) 2 2 fx         4  
Ross Brady 1 3 3 3       10   Jon Armstrong 0 0 1         1  
Ricky Ashworth 1 3 3 2       9   Paul Pickering 2 2 1 3 3 2   13  
Andy Moore 3 1 2' 2 1     9 1 Alan Mogridge 0 1' 0 2' 1     4 2
André Compton ns 3 fx         3   Jan Stæchmann 3 2 1 3 2 0   11  
James Birkinshaw 2' 0 1 1 0     4 1 Luke Priest 1 0 0 0       1  
Richard Hall 3 2 2' 1'       8 2 Joe Cook 0 1 0         1  

Monday 4th August: Premier League
Reading 'Euphony' Racers 47   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43  
Andrew Appleton 0 2 1' 0       3 1 Sean Wilson (c) 2' 1 3 3 3 3   15 1
Paul Clews 1 1' 2 2       6 1 Ross Brady 3 0 3 1 0     7  
Janusz Kolodziej 2' 3 2' 3 fx     10 2 Ricky Ashworth 1 2 0 0       3  
Jonas Davidsson 3 2' 3 3 1     12 1 Andrew Moore 0 fx 2         2  
Garry Stead (g) fx 3 2 2       7   André Compton 3 3 1 2 1 2'   12 1
Danny Norton fx 1 0         1   Adam Allott (g) 2 1 0 0       3  
Chris Schramm (g) 3 2 1' 1 1     8 1 Ben Wilson inj             0  

Saturday 2nd August: Premier League
Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters 42   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 48  
Frank Smart (G) 2 2 2' 2' 0     8 2 Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 3 2 3     13  
Jon Armstrong 1' 1' 1         3 2 Ross Brady 0 0 3 1       4  
Paul Pickering 2 3 2 3 0     10   Ricky Ashworth 1 2' x 1       4 1
Alan Mogridge 0 1 1' 2       4 1 Andrew Moore 3 3 1 3       10  
Jan Stæchmann 2 ef 3 2 3 2   12   André Compton 3 3 3 1' 1     11 1
Luke Priest 1' 1' 1 r       3 2 Adam Allott (g) 3 0 2' 0 1     6 1
Joe Cook 2 x2 0 0       2   Ben Wilson 0 0 0         0  
1 65.4 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Smart, Armstrong, Brady
2 66.2 3-3 6-6 Allott, Cook, Priest, B.Wilson
3 64.2 2-4 8-10 Moore, Pickering, Ashworth, Mogridge
4 64.4 3-3 11-13 Compton, Stæchmann, Priest, B.Wilson, Cook(2 mins)
5 64.4 4-2 15-15 Pickering, S.Wilson, Mogridge, Brady
6 64.5 3-3 18-18 Compton, Smart, Armstrong, Allott
7 65.1 1-5 19-32 Moore, Ashworth, Priest, Stæchmann(ef)
8 65.9 1-5 20-28 Brady, Allott, Armstrong, Cook
9 64.7 3-3 23-31 Compton, Pickering, Mogridge, B.Wilson
10 64.7 5-1 28-32 Stæchmann, Smart, Moore, Ashworth(fx)
11 64.8 2-4 30-36 S.Wilson, Stæchmann, Brady, Cook
12 65.4 5-1 35-37 Pickering, Smart(t/s), Ashworth, Allott
13 64.9 3-3 38-40 Stæchmann, S.Wilson, Compton, Smart
14 65.3 2-4 40-44 Moore, Mogridge, Allott, Priest(r)
15 64.6 2-4 42-48 S.Wilson, Stæchmann, Compton, Pickering

Thursday 31st July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 52 94 Glasgow Tigers 38 85
Sean Wilson (c) 3 2' 3 3 2     13 1 George Stancl 1 2 3 2 f     8  
Ross Brady 2' 1 3 2 0     8 1 David McAllan 0 0 1'         1 1
Andy Moore rider replacement (3)   Simon Stead (G) 2' 3 3 2 3 3   16 1
Ricky Ashworth 1 3 2 2 3     11   Kevin Doolan 3 1 1' 1 r     6 1
André Compton 0 2' 2 3 2'     9 2 Les Collins 0 1 1 1 0     3  
James Birkinshaw 3 0 x 2'       5 1 Christian Henry 0 0 1         1  
Ben Wilson 2' 3 x 0 0 1   6 1 Trent Leverington 1 1 1         3  
1 64.9 5-1 5-1 S.Wilson, Brady, Stancl, McAllan
2 65.0 5-1 10-2 Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Leverington, Henry
3 63.9 1-5 11-7 Doolan, Stead, Ashworth, Compton(r/r)
4 64.1 5-1 16-8 B.Wilson, Compton, Leverington, Collins
5 63.1 4-2 20-10 Ashworth, Stancl, Brady(r/r), McAllan
6 63.4 5-1 25-11 Brady, S.Wilson, Collins, Henry
7 62.3 2-4 27-15 Stead, Compton, Doolan, Birkinshaw
8 64.2 2-4 29-19 Stancl(t/s), Brady, Leverington, B.Wilson(fx)
9 63.4 2-4 31-23 Stead, Ashworth, Collins, B.Wilson(r/r)
10 63.5 3-3 34-26 S.Wilson, Stead, Doolan, Brady
11 63.1 3-3 37-29 Compton, Stancl, McAllan, Birkinshaw(fx)
12 62.6 2-4 39-33 Stead, Ashworth(r/r), Doolan, B.Wilson
13 64.3 5-1 44-34 S.Wilson, Compton, Collins, Stancl(f)
14 63.8 5-1 49-35 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Henry, Doolan(r)
15 63.2 3-3 52-38 Stead, S.Wilson, B.Wilson, Collins

Tuesday 29th July: Premier League
Trelawny 'JAG' Tigers 57   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 33  
Matej Zagar 3 3 3 3 0     12   Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 2 2 r 2   10  
Emiliano Sanchez 1 1 2 2'       6 1 Ross Brady 0 1' 3 1'       5 2
Steve Masters 3 f 3 3       9   Andy Moore 1 2 0 0       3  
Pavel Ondrasik 2' 3 2' 3       10 2 Ricky Ashworth 0 1' 1 2       4 1
Chris Harris 3 3 3 0 3     12   André Compton 2 2 1 2 1' 1'   9 2
Malcolm Holloway 3 0 0 1       4   James Birkinshaw 0 f 0         0  
Tom Brown 2' 0 1' 1       4 2 Ben Wilson 1 1' 0         2 1
1 53.56 4-2 4-2 Zagar, S.Wilson, Sanchez, Brady
2 56.16 5-1 9-3 Holloway, Brown, B.Wilson, Birkinshaw
3 55.61 5-1 14-4 Masters, Ondrasik, Moore, Ashworth
4 54.51 3-3 17-7 Harris, Compton, B.Wilson, Brown
5 56.38 3-3 20-10 Ondrasik, S.Wilson, Brady, Masters(f)
6 55.54 4-2 24-12 Zagar, Compton, Sanchez, Birkinshaw(f)
7 54.71 3-3 27-15 Harris, Moore, Ashworth, Holloway
8 56.50 3-3 30-18 Brady, Sanchez, Brown, B.Wilson
9 56.16 5-1 35-19 Masters, Ondrasik, Compton, Birkinshaw
10 54.91 5-1 40-20 Zagar, Sanchez, Ashworth, Moore
11 55.49 3-3 43-23 Harris, S.Wilson, Brady, Holloway
12 56.14 4-2 47-25 Masters, Compton(t/s), Brown, Moore
13 55.40 3-3 50-28 Zagar, Compton, S.Wilson, Harris
14 56.10 4-2 54-30 Ondrasik, Ashworth, Holloway, S.Wilson(t/s, r)
15 56.02 3-3 57-33 Harris, S.Wilson, Compton, Zagar

Monday 28th July: Premier League
Exeter Falcons 44   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 46  
Roger Lobb 0 1 0         1   Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 3 3 3     14  
Scott Smith 1 3 1' 2       7 1 Ross Brady 2' 0 3 2'       7 2
Seemond Stephens 1 1 3 2 2     9   Andy Moore 0 0 1 3       4  
Lee Smethills 3 3 1 3 1'     11 1 Ricky Ashworth 2 2 3 2       9  
Mark Simmonds 3 2 r 2       7   André Compton 3 2 2 1 0     8  
Krister Marsh 3 1 2 1 1' 1   9 1 James Birkinshaw 2 0 0 xt 0     2  
Karl Mason 0 0 0         0   Ben Wilson 1' 1 0 0       2 1
1 68.5 1-5 1-5 S.Wilson, Brady, Smith, Lobb
2 67.6 3-3 4-8 Marsh, Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Mason
3 67.6 4-2 8-10 Smethills, Ashworth, Stephens, Moore
4 66.9 2-4 10-14 Compton, Simmons, B.Wilson, Mason
5 66.5 4-2 14-16 Smethills, S.Wilson, Stephens, Brady
6 67.8 4-2 18-18 Smith, Compton, Lobb, Birkinshaw
7 68.5 4-2 22-20 Simmons, Ashworth, Marsh, Moore
8 68.6 3-3 25-23 Brady, Marsh, Smith, B.Wilson
9 67.3 4-2 29-25 Stephens, Compton, Smethills, Birkinshaw
10 68.9 2-4 31-29 Ashworth, Smith, Moore, Lobb
11 68.9 1-5 32-34 S.Wilson, Brady, Marsh, Simmons(r)
12 66.7 3-3 35-37 Moore, Stephens, Marsh, B.Wilson, Birkinshaw(tps)
13 66.4 2-4 37-41 S.Wilson, Simmons, Compton, Mason
14 68.1 4-2 41-43 Smethills, Ashworth, Marsh, Birkinshaw
15 67.9 3-3 44-46 S.Wilson, Stephens, Smethills, Compton

Thursday 24th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 64   Somerset Rebels 26  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Mark Lemon ef 0 2 2 1 1   6  
Ross Brady 2' 1 2 2'       7 2 Matt Read 1 1 0         2  
Andy Moore 3 2' 0 3       8 1 Graeme Gordon 1 0 1 0       2  
Ricky Ashworth 2' 3 3 3       11 1 Steffan Katt 0 1 1         2  
André Compton 3 3 3 3 2'     14 1 Glen Cunningham 2 2 3 1' 0 0   8 1
James Birkinshaw 3 2' 1 2'       8 2 Rob Finlow 1' 0 0         1 1
Ben Wilson ef 0 0 2'       2 1 Steve Bishop 2 1' 1 0 1     5 1
1 63.9 5-1 5-1 S.Wilson, Brady, Read, Lemon(ef)
2 65.3 3-3 8-4 Birkinshaw, Bishop, Finlow, B.Wilson(ef)
3 65.5 5-1 13-5 Moore, Ashworth, Gordon, Katt
4 64.0 3-3 16-8 Compton, Cunningham, Bishop, B.Wilson
5 64.3 5-1 21-9 Ashworth, Moore, Read, Lemon
6 64.6 4-2 25-11 S.Wilson, Cunningham, Brady, Finlow
7 63.5 5-1 30-12 Compton, Birkinshaw, Katt, Gordon
8 64.0 2-4 32-16 Cunningham(t/s), Brady, Bishop, B.Wilson
9 63.3 3-3 35-19 Ashworth, Lemon(t/s), Cunningham, Moore
10 64.7 5-1 40-20 S.Wilson, Brady, Katt, Read(t/s)
11 62.2 4-2 44-22 Compton, Lemon, Birkinshaw, Bishop
12 66.1 5-1 49-23 Moore, B.Wilson, Gordon, Finlow
13 63.6 5-1 54-24 Compton, S.Wilson, Lemon, Cunningham
14 65.0 5-1 59-25 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Bishop, Gordon(t/s)
15 63.5 5-1 64-26 S.Wilson, Compton, Lemon, Cunningham

Only Ben wasn't able to take the fight to the Rebels, but even he denied Graeme Gordon in heat 12. Ross was only beaten by Glenn Cunningham (twice), and James was also good value on his way to paid 10. Mark Lemon may have had a nightmare meeting, but the Tigers will be 'up for it' when they venture South for the rematch...

Tuesday 22nd July: Premier League
IOW Islanders 49 91 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 42 89
Danny Bird 3 3 3 fx ef     9   Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 2' 2 3 3   14 1
Glen Philips 0 1 r         1   Ricky Ashworth 1' 0 3 1' f     5 2
Ray Morton 3 1 2' 3 1     10 1 Andy Moore 0 2 2 2       6  
Sebastian Tresarrieu 2' 3 3 3       11 1 Ross Brady 1 f 0         1  
Craig Watson (g) 3 3 3 1       10   André Compton 1 2 1 2' 4 2'   12 2
Tony Dart (g) 1' 1 x2 f       2 1 James Birkinshaw 3 0 1'         4 1
Gary Phelps 2 2' 1 1 0 f   6 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0         0  
1   3-3 3-3 Bird, S.Wilson, Ashworth, Philips
2   3-3 6-6 Birkinshaw, Phelps, Dart, B.Wilson
3   5-1 11-7 Morton, Tresarrieu, Brady, Moore
4   5-1 16-8 Watson, Phelps, Compton, B.Wilson
5   4-2 20-10 Tresarrieu, S.Wilson, Morton, Ashworth
6   4-2 24-12 Bird, Compton, Philips, Birkinshaw
7   4-2 28-14 Watson, Moore, Dart, Brady(f)
8   1-5 29-19 Ashworth, S.Wilson(t/s), Phelps, Philips(r)
9   5-1 34-20 Tresarrieu, Morton, Compton, B.Wilson
10   4-2 38-22 Bird, Moore, Phelps, Brady
11   3-3 41-25 Watson, S.Wilson, Ashworth, Phelps, Dart(2 mins)
12   3-3 44-28 Morton, Moore, Birkinshaw, Phelps
13   1-5 45-33 S.Wilson, Compton, Watson, Bird(fx)
14   3-4 48-37 Tressarieu, Compton(Gt/s), Ashworth(t/s,f), Dart(f)
15   1-5 49-42 S.Wilson, Compton. Morton, Bird(ef)

Monday 21st July: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 62 101 Newcastle 'Ultrafast' Gems 28 78
Richard Hall 3 3 3 ef       9   Craig Branney 2 1 2' 2 2 1   10 1
Luke Priest 1 2' 1 2'       6 2 Carl Shield 0 0 0         0  
Rob Grant 3 3 3 3 3     15   William Lawson fx x2 3 1 2 ef   6  
Benji Compton 2' 2' 2' 3       9 3 Gary Beaton 1 1 0         2  
Ben Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 2'     14 1 Jamie Robertson 1 1 1 1' r     4 1
David Speight 3 2' 2' 0 1 1   9 2 Karl Langley 2 0 0 0 2     4  
Michael Mitchell               dnr   John Branney 1' 0 1'         2 2
1 65.0 4-2 4-2 Hall, C.Branney, Priest, Shields
2 68.0 3-3 7-5 Speight, Langley, J.Branney, Mitchell(ns)
3 65.2 5-1 12-6 Grant, Compton, Beaton, Lawson(fx)
4 65.2 5-1 17-7 Wilson, Speight, Robertson, J.Branney
5 64.6 5-1 22-8 Grant, Compton, C.Branney, Shield
6 65.6 5-1 27-9 Hall, Priest, Robertson, Langley
7 65.0 5-1 32-10 Wilson, Speight, Beaton, Langley, Lawson(2 mins)
8 66.3 1-5 33-15 W.Lawson(t/s), C.Branney(t/s), Priest, Speight
9 65.7 5-1 38-16 Grant, Compton, Robertson, Langley
10 66.1 5-1 43-17 Hall, Priest, Lawson, Beaton
11 65.5 4-2 47-19 Wilson, C.Branney, Speight, Shield
12 65.7 3-3 50-22 Grant, Lawson, J.Branney, Mitchell(dnr)
13 66.0 3-3 53-25 Wilson, C.Branney, Robertson, Hall(ef)
14 67.1 4-2 57-27 Compton, Langley, Speight, Robertson(t/s,ef)
15 65.8 5-1 62-28 Grant, Wilson, C.Branney, Lawson(ef)

Monday 21st July: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 64 99 Wimbledon 'GMB' Dons 25 80
Richard Hall 3 3 3 3 3     15   Wayne Barrett (c) 1 1 1 1 2     6  
Luke Priest 2' 1 3 2'       8 2 James Clement 0 0 0         0  
Rob Grant 2' 3 3 3       11 1 Matt Cambridge f 1 1 1 r     3  
Benji Compton 3 2' 2' 3 0     10 2 Gareth Hickmott 1 0 0         1  
Ben Wilson (c) 2 3 3 2'       10 1 Mark Burrows 3 2 2 1 0 1'   9 1
David Speight x 1' 2' 1 2' 2' 2' 10 5 Chris Hunt (c) 2' 0 0 0       2 1
Michael Mitchell ns             0   Peter Collyer 3 0 0 1       4  
1 64.6 5-1 5-1 Hall, Priest, Barrett, Clement
2 71.9 0-5 5-6 Collyer, Hunt, Mitchell(f/ns), Speight(x)
3 awd 5-1 10-7 Compton, Grant, Hickmott, Cambridge(f)
4 66.2 3-3 13-10 Burrows, Wilson, Speight, Collyer
5 65.0 5-1 18-11 Grant, Compton, Barratt, Clement
6 64.5 4-2 22-13 Hall, Burrows, Priest, Hunt
7 65.1 5-1 27-14 Wilson, Speight, Cambridge, Hickmott
8 65.0 4-2 31-16 Priest, Burrows(t/s), Speight, Collyer
9 65.0 5-1 36-17 Grant, Compton, Burrows, Hunt
10 65.6 5-1 41-18 Hall, Priest, Cambridge, Hickmott
11 65.8 5-1 46-19 Wilson, Speight, Barratt, Clement
12 66.0 5-1 51-20 Grant, Speight, Cambridge, Hunt
13 65.4 5-1 56-21 Hall, Wilson, Barratt, Burrows
14 66.5 5-1 61-22 Compton, Speight, Collyer, Cambridge(t/s,r)
15 66.2 3-3 64-25 Hall, Barrett, Burrows, Compton

Friday 18th July: Premier League
Arena Essex 52 93 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 36 85
Kelvin Tatum 2 3 1 1 2' 2'   11 2 Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 2 3 0 1   11  
Henning Bager x 1' 1 3 3     8 1 Ricky Ashworth ns                
Leigh Lanham 2 3 3 3 3 3   17   Andy Moore 3 3 2 2 3 0   13  
Jason King 1' 1 2 1 0     5 1 Ross Brady 0 f 0 0 1     1  
Joonas Kylmakorpi rider replacement (7) (1) André Compton 3 2 0 2' 1     8 1
Joel Parsons 1 1' 0         2 1 James Birkinshaw ef 2 0 0       2  
Lee Herne 3 2 2' 1 2     10 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0 1       1  
1 59.2 2-3 2-3 S.Wilson, Tatum, Birkinshaw(ef), Ashworth(inj), Bager(x)
2 59.9 4-2 6-5 Herne, Birkinshaw, Parsons, B.Wilson
3 59.3 3-3 9-8 Moore, Lanham, King, Brady
4 59.7 3-3 12-11 Compton, Herne, Bager(r/r), B.Wilson
5 58.7 4-2 16-13 Lanham, S.Wilson, King, Birkinshaw
6 59.3 4-2 20-15 Tatum, Compton, Bager, B.Wilson
7 59.7 3-3 23-18 Moore, King(r/r), Parsons, Brady(f)
8 58.8 5-1 28-19 Bager, Herne, B.Wilson, Birkinshaw
9 58.7 4-2 32-21 Lanham, S.Wilson(t/s), King, Compton
10 59.4 4-2 36-23 Bager, Moore, Tatum, Brady
11 59.4 1-5 37-28 S.Wilson, Compton, Tatum(r/r), Parsons
12 59.2 4-2 41-30 Lanham, Moore, Herne, Brady
13 58.9 5-1 46-31 Lanham(r/r), Tatum, Compton, S.Wilson
14 59.7 2-4 48-35 Moore(t/s), Herne, Brady, King
15 59.4 5-1 53-36 Lanham, Tatum, S.Wilson, Moore

Thursday 17th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 56 102 Rye House 'Silverski' Rockets 34 78
Sean Wilson (c) 3 1 2' 3       9 1 Edward Kennett 1 1 2 0       4  
Ricky Ashworth 2' 3 2 3 1     11 1 Brett Woodifield 0 0 1'         1 1
Andy Moore 3 3 2 3       11   Scott Robson 1' 0 0         1 1
Ross Brady 0 2' 1' 1       4 2 Brent Werner 2 2 1 2 3 2   12  
André Compton 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Nigel Sadler 2 2 3 3 1 x   11  
James Birkinshaw 2' 1 0 ef       3 1 Mark Courtney 0 0 0         0  
Ben Wilson 3 0 0 1       4   David Mason 1 1' 1 0 2'     5 2
1 64.1 5-1 5-1 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Kennett, Woodifield
2 65.2 5-1 10-2 B.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Mason, Courtney
3 61.8 3-3 13-5 Moore, Werner, Robson, Brady
4 63.0 3-3 16-8 Compton, Sadler, Mason, B.Wilson
5 63.2 5-1 21-9 Moore, Brady, Kennett, Woodifield
6 63.1 4-2 25-11 Ashworth, Sadler, S.Wilson, Courtney
7 62.9 4-2 29-13 Compton, Werner, Birkinshaw, Robson
8 63.5 2-4 31-17 Sadler(t/s), Ashworth, Mason, B.Wilson
9 63.1 3-3 34-20 Sadler, Moore, Brady, Courtney
10 63.5 5-1 39-21 Ashworth, S.Wilson, Werner, Robson
11 63.8 3-3 42-24 Compton, Kennett, Woodifield, Birkinshaw
12 63.6 4-2 46-26 Moore, Werner(t/s), B.Wilson, Mason
13 63.9 5-1 51-27 S.Wilson, Compton, Sadler, Kennett
14 64.0 1-5 52-32 Werner, Mason, Brady, Birkinshaw(ef)
15 64.2 4-2 56-34 Compton, Werner, Ashworth, Sadler(x)

After overnight rain and thunderstorms in the morning the track wasn't expected to to perfect but it turned out to be underwatered and lacking grip. Sean & Ricky wasted no time in passing Ed Kennett who went from 1st to 3rd by the 3rd turn, and James slotted in behind Ben in heat 2. Ross was shut down on the white line at the start of heat 3 and while he recovered to challenge Scott Robson he failed to actually make the pass. He fared much better in heat 5 when he tucked in behind Andy and rode a good line to deny Ed Kennett.

Sean was caught napping in heat 6 and although he reeled in Nigel Sadler his last bend blast nearly ended in tears as he ran out of track and had to give way. André sped to the front in heat 7 and James acheived what Ross didn't as he rounded Scott out of turn 4. Heat 8 started very scrappily and left Ricky chasing Nigel Sadler. A big dive on the third turn could have fazed other riders, but Nigel kept the power on and regained the place out of turn 4. He was out again in the next and left Andy and Ross standing, although Sean and Ricky had no problems extending the lead in heat 10 passing Brent Werner simultaneously, one inside and one out, exiting turn 2.

André claimed heat 11 with James unable to find the drive to pass Woodifield, and Andy romped away in heat 12 with Ben Wilson shrugging off everything that David Mason threw at him for a useful 3rd place. Sean trapped in heat 13 and after André swooped around Nigel on the 3rd turn the lead was now up to 24 points. Ross let Brent Werner dominated the 1st turn in heat 14, and when David Mason got alongside him into the 3rd turn he demured yet again. James meanwhile was chasing Brent Werner down until his engine expired. Ricky made a superb gate in heat 15 only for Nigel Sadler to collect him big style on the second turn and the two of them hurtled into the fence with Brent Werner unable to avoid the carnage. Battered and bruised Ricky and André team rode perfectly in the rerun until Ricky's bike started coughing and spluttering on the third lap gifting Brent Werner second place. Hope he's recovered for the trip to Arena as with Joonas missing we could be able to pull off a shock win...

Monday 14th July: British League Cup
Belle Vue Aces 55 97 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 35 85
Steve Johnston (c) 2' 2 3 2 3     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) tx 0 2 3       5  
Craig Watson 3 1' 3 2'       9 2 Ricky Ashworth fx 1 2 1' fx     4 1
Ales Dryml 0 2' 1' 2       5 2 Andy Moore 2 x 0 1       3  
Chris Manchester 3 3 2 2' 1     11 1 Ross Brady 1' 1 1 1       4 1
Jason Lyons fx 3 3 0       6   André Compton 3 3 3 3 1 2   15  
Neil Collins 2' 2' 0 3       7 2 James Birkinshaw 1 0 0         1  
Graham Jones 3 2 ef 0       5   Ben Wilson 1 f 1 1' 0     3 1
1 63.4 5-1 5-1 Watson, Johnston, B.Wilson, Ashworth(fx), S.Wilson(tps)
2 63.8 5-1 10-2 Jones, Collins, Birkinshaw, B.Wilson(f)
3 64.3 3-3 13-5 Manchester, Moore, Brady, Dryml
4 62.2 2-4 15-9 Compton, Jones, B.Wilson, Lyons(fx)
5 61.9 5-1 20-10 Manchester, Dryml, Ashworth, S.Wilson
6 61.7 3-3 23-13 Compton, Johnston, Watson, Birkinshaw
7 61.5 5-1 28-14 Lyons, Collins, Brady, Moore(x)
8 62.7 3-3 31-17 Watson, Ashworth, B.Wilson, Jones(ef)
9 61.6 3-3 34-20 Compton, Manchester, Dryml, Birkinshaw
10 63.2 5-1 39-21 Johnston, Watson, Brady, Moore
11 62.0 3-3 42-24 Lyons, S.Wilson, Ashworth, Collins
12 62.1 2-4 44-28 Compton(t/s), Dryml, Moore, Jones
13 61.7 2-4 46-32 S.Wilson, Johnston, Compton, Lyons
14 63.4 5-1 51-33 Collins, Manchester, Brady, B.Wilson
15 62.5 4-2 55-35 Johnston, Compton, Manchester, Ashworth(fx)

The Aces really entered into the spirit of this competition tracking Graham Jones and Neil Collins as Conference League guests at reserve. The tricky track caught a few riders unawares in the early stages, including Jason Lyons who tumbled whilst third in heat 4. As the sun beat down it turned into the predictable dustbowl, but what passes for racing at Kirky Lane did (I suppose) improve (from absolutely sh*t to almost tolerable).

Sean taped in heat 1, got shut out on the first turn in heat 5, kept Jason Lyons honest in heat 11, and made no mistakes when he gated ahead of Johnno in heat 13. Ricky dropped it on the first turn, second lap while chasing Johnno in heat 1, and clattered into the fence trying to pass Chris Manchester in heat 15. Andy Moore hung on for second place in heat 3 having intimidated the home pairing with some hairy second turn antics. Chris Manchester took the lead from the Sheffield pair with an audacious dive into turn one on the last lap which had Ross wondering how he managed to stay on his bike at all.

Andy picked up an exclusion on the first turn of heat 7 which totally mystified those of us on the 4th turn given that no-one fell (although Neil Collins did shake his leg at him). If that was ungentlemanly riding then Neil should have been excluded from the rerun as he went under Ross into turn 3 and then drifted him him wider, and wider, and wider, until Ross could see the spot Neil had picked out for him in the fence. Ross was passed by Craig Watson on the 4th turn in heat 10, and by Manchester in heat 14, but at least he looked in control.

James was there. Ben was smooth but way off the pace, and it was left to André to give the travelling supporters something to shout about with some beautiful riding which showed that the track could be ridden if you just applied yourself properly. Admission £13, plus programme £1 and car parking £1.50. Racing 3 out of 10, presentation 2 out of 10, facilities 3 out of 10 (barely 25% of the stadium has a p.a. system). Need I say more?

Sunday 13th July: Conference League
Boston Barracuda-Braves 32 69 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 58 93
Mark Thompson 1 2 1 3 f 1 1 9   Richard Hall 3 2 3 3       11  
Darren Mallett rider replacement     Luke Priest 2' 1' 2 2'       7 3
Rob Hollingworth 0 3 0 1 2 3   9   Benji Compton 3 2' 1 2       8 1
Peter Boast 1 0 0 0 2     3   Rob Grant 2' 3 3 3 2'     13 2
Trevor Harding fx             0   Ben Wilson 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1
Dean Garrod 2' 2 ef 1' 0 1   6 2 David Speight 0 1 2' x       3 1
Luke Clifton 3 fx 1         4   Michael Mitchell 1 1 ef 0       2  
Roger Dickerson 1 0           1    
1 66.0 1-5 1-5 Hall, Priest, Thompson(f/rem), Harding(fx)
2 64.8 5-1 6-6 Clifton, Garrod, Mitchell, Speight(f/rem)
3 64.8 1-5 7-11 Compton, Grant, Boast, Hollingworth
4 awd 2-4 9-15 Wilson, Garrod, Mitchell, Clifton(fx)
5 65.6 3-3 12-18 Hollingworth, Hall, Priest, Boast
6 64.9 2-4 14-22 Wilson, Thompson, Speight, Garrod
7 63.6 1-5 15-27 Grant, Compton, Thompson, Hollingworth
8 64.8 4-2 19-29 Thompson(t/s), Priest, Garrod, Mitchell
9 65.8 1-5 20-34 Wilson, Speight, Hollingworth, Boast
10 awd 2-4 22-38 Grant, Hollingworth, Compton, Thompson(f)
11 64.9 1-5 23-43 Hall, Priest, Dickerson, Garrod
12 64.9 4-2 27-45 Hollingworth, Compton, Clifton, Speight(x)
13 63.9 1-5 28-50 Hall, Wilson, Thompson, Boast
14 64.2 3-3 31-53 Grant, Boast, Garrod, Mitchell
15 64.5 1-5 32-58 Wilson, Grant, Thompson, Dickerson

The Prowlers complete with new signing Rob Grant caught the Braves on a bad day. PeterBoast was under the weather following a fall and Trevor Harding took a heavy tumble in heat 1 and was whisked away by ambulance. (Nothing more serious than cuts and bruises thankfully). Mark Thompson led the Braves defence but when Luke Clifton suffered two engine blow-ups the Prowlers were able to make hay.

Thursday 10th July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 57 97 Newport Wasps 33 83
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 2'     14 1 Frank Smart 1 1 0         2  
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 3 2' 3     12 3 Carl Wilkinson 0 0 0         0  
Andy Moore 3 3 3 ef       9   Neils K. Iversen 1 2' 0 2' 2' r   7 3
Ross Brady 2' 2' 1 0       5 2 Tony Atkin 0 3 1 3 3 1   11  
André Compton 2 x 3 1       6   Craig Watson 3 1 2 2 2     10  
James Birkinshaw 2' 1 2' 1       6 2 Chris Schramm 1 1' 1 0       3 1
Ben Wilson 3 1' 0 1       5 1 Ben Warburton 0 0 0         0  
1 62.6 5-1 5-1 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Smart, Wilkinson
2 64.8 5-1 10-2 B.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Schramm, Warburton
3 62.7 5-1 15-3 Moore, Brady, Iversen, Atkin
4 64.6 3-3 18-6 Watson, Compton, B.Wilson, Warburton
5 62.6 5-1 23-7 Moore, Brady, Smart, Wilkinson
6 62.6 5-1 28-8 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Watson, Warburton
7 62.6 1-5 29-13 Atkin, Iversen, Birkinshaw, Compton(x)
8 62.1 3-3 32-16 Ashworth, Watson(t/s), Schramm, B.Wilson
9 62.0 4-2 36-18 Moore, Watson, Brady, Wilkinson(f/rem)
10 62.5 5-1 41-19 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Atkin, Iversen
11 63.0 5-1 46-20 Compton, Birkinshaw, Schramm, Smart
12 63.4 1-5 47-25 Atkin(t/s), Iversen, B.Wilson, Moore(ef)
13 62.5 4-2 51-27 S.Wilson, Watson, Compton, Schramm
14 63.9 1-5 52-32 Atkin, Iversen(t/s), Birkinshaw, Brady
15 63.7 5-1 57-33 Ashworth, S.Wilson, Atkin, Iversen

Sean Wilson was in top form again and never looked like being troubled. Andy Moore made three electric starts but was trailing Tony Atkin when his machine expired in his fourth race. Ross Brady tucked in behind Andy and resisted some strong challenges in his first two outings, but then dropped a point to Craig Watson in his 3rd, before having the door closed on him by his team mate as they both chased the Wasps best pair in heat 14. André was beaten by Craig Watson twice, the first time in the pouring rain (which lasted about 2 minutes), but was a little over enthusiastic as he dived under Tony Atkin in heat 7 and paid the penalty. James went from last to second in heat 11 before coming under pressure from Chris Schramm (but surprisingly not Frank Smart) and also passed Chris in heat 2. Ben Wilson rounded Chris on the 3rd turn to win heat 2 in fine style and also gave Neils Iversen a hard time in heat 12.

Star of the show though was Ricky Ashworth with a paid maximum and he was understandably well pleased, especially as it included two wins over Owlerton specialist Craig Watson.

Wednesday 9th July: British League Cup
Hull Vikings 39 74 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 51 106
Garry Stead (c) 2 2 3 1 1 0   9   Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3     15  
Shaun Tacey 1' 1' 0 3       5 1 Ricky Ashworth 0 1 3 2'       6 1
Bjørn Hansen 1 2 2 2' 2 1   10 1 Andy Moore 2' 0 2 1       5 1
Simon Cartwright 0 0 1'         1 1 Ross Brady 3 1 0 3       7  
Paul Thorp 3 2' 1 3 r     9 1 André Compton 2 3 3 2' 2'     12 2
Richard Hall 1' 0 fx         1 1 James Birkinshaw 3 0 0 0       3  
Barrie Evans 2 0 2         4   Ben Wilson 0 1 1' 1       3 1
1 66.6 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Stead, Tacey, Ashworth
2 69.5 3-3 6-6 Birkinshaw, Evans, Hall, B.Wilson
3 68.1 1-5 7-11 Brady, Moore, Hansen, Cartwright
4 66.8 3-3 10-14 Thorp, Compton, B.Wilson, Evans
5 66.9 2-4 12-18 S.Wilson, Hansen, Ashworth, Cartwright
6 67.5 3-3 15-21 Compton, Stead, Tacey, Birkinshaw
7 68.4 5-1 20-22 Stead(t/s), Thorp, Brady, Moore
8 68.0 2-4 22-26 Ashworth, Evans, B.Wilson, Tacey
9 68.6 3-3 25-29 Compton, Hansen, Cartwright, Birkinshaw
10 67.5 4-2 29-31 Tacey, Moore, Stead, Brady
11 68.1 1-5 30-36 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Thorp, Hall
12 68.0 5-1 35-37 Thorp(t/s), Hansen, Moore, Birkinshaw
13 67.8 1-5 36-42 S.Wilson, Compton, Stead, Thorp(r)
14 68.3 2-4 38-46 Brady, Hansen(t/s), B.Wilson, Hall(fx)
15 68.3 1-5 39-51 S.Wilson, Compton, Hansen, Stead

André returned to the saddle looking fully recovered and dropped just one point to Paul Thorp who flew from the gate in heat 4. He rounded his skipper off the second turn to lead both heats 13 and 15 until right on the line but let his team mate take the chequered flag on both occasions. Ben Wilson finished ahead of Barrie Evans in heat 4 and passed Richard Hall on the 4th bend in heat 14 just before Richard took a heavy tumble on the next turn. Hope he recovers in time for the Prowlers match against Boston on Sunday. James passed Barrie Evans in style off the 4th turn on the last lap to win heat 2, but failed to add to his account after that.

Andy Moore plugged away but was perhaps tiring in his 3rd match in as many days having represented his country in their victories over Sweden at Reading and Wolverhampton. Ricky too was in the U21 test matches but seemed to get a second wind as he won heat 8, and then outgated Paul Thorp and slotted in behind Sean to claim a 5-1 in heat 11.

Ross Brady was a convincing winner of heat 3, gave second best to Stead and Thorp in heat 7 (no shame there), got closed out on the first turn in heat 10, and then outgated Bjørn Hansen (twice if you include the rerun) to beat him again in heat 14. That will do nicely Ross! Man of the match must be Sean Wilson who rode unbeaten and is certainly looking as if he is enjoying his racing again!

Thursday 3rd July: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 49   Arena Essex Hammers 41  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 3 2' 3 3   16 1 Kelvin Tatum 2 1' 1 1 2     7 1
Ricky Ashworth ef 0 3 3 2     8   Henning Bager 1' 2 ef 1'       4 2
Andy Moore 2 3 3 2 3 1   14   Leigh Lanham 3 2 1 2 2 0   10  
Ross Brady f 0 0 0       0   Jason King 1 0 1'         2 1
André Compton rider replacement (7)   Joonas Kylmakorpi 3 2 3 3 1' 2   14 1
James Birkinshaw 3 1 0 0 3     7   Lee Herne 2 1' 1         4 1
Ben Wilson 1 1' 2' 0       4 2 Ben Warburton 0 0 0         0  
1 62.0 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Tatum, Bager, Ashworth(ef)
2 63.0 4-2 7-5 Birkinshaw, Herne, B.Wilson, Warburton
3 62.3 2-4 9-9 Lanham, Moore, King, Brady(f, +15)
4 60.9 3-3 12-12 Kylmakorpi, S.Wilson(r/r), B.Wilson, Warburton
5 61.3 3-3 15-15 Moore, Bager, Tatum, Brady
6 61.2 3-3 18-18 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Herne, Ashworth
7 61.6 4-2 22-20 Moore(r/r), Lanham, Birkinshaw, King
8 62.5 5-1 27-21 Ashworth, B.Wilson, Herne, Bager(ef)
9 61.2 2-4 29-25 Kylmakorpi, Moore, Tatum(t/s), Brady
10 61.9 5-1 34-26 Ashworth, S.Wilson, Lanham, Warburton
11 61.1 2-4 36-30 Kylmakorpi(t/s), Ashworth, Tatum, Birkinshaw
12 61.3 3-3 39-33 Moore, Lanham, Bager(t/s), B.Wilson
13 62.0 3-3 42-36 S.Wilson, Tatum, Kylmakorpi, Birkinshaw(r/r,+15)
14 62.8 3-3 45-39 Birkinshaw, Lanham(t/s), King, Brady
15 61.8 4-2 49-41 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Moore, Lanham

Disappointing racing after the kind of weather when you would worry about watering the track 'cause it could tip it down moments later, but the lads should be getting used to it by now. The Hammers followed on from last year's close encounter and kept themselves in the meeting thanks to some breathtaking wide bursts by the 'almost in control' Joonas Kylmakorpi. Only Andy Moore went wider, and he should be made to personally paint his tyre marks off the kick-boards!

James bagged a couple of wins and beat tac-sub Leigh Lanham in heat 14. Ben was looking more like his old (but very young) self, and Ricky recovered from a poor start to claim Lanham and Tatum's scalps. Andy (on an officially verified legal machine, ask Shane Parker!!!) was flying literally inches from the fence and Sean included both a masterful 3rd bend dive & a glorious 4th bend swoop to pass Joonas twice in his top scoring display. Poor Ross started with a tape nudge, and a fall as he tried to make good the 15m handicap, and looked down on power as he was passed by Kelvin Tatum. He was also seen exiting the medical room post meeting. I do hope he can shake off the gremlins and show us what he's capable of...

Wednesday 2nd July: KO Cup
Kings Lynn 'Lillevilla Log Cabin' Stars 48 96 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 49 99
Tomas Topinka 3 3 3 1 1     11   Sean Wilson (c) 2 4 3 2 2'     13 1
Adam Allott 1 1 2 1       5   Ricky Ashworth 0 1' 3 1       5 1
Davey Watt 3 3 3 3 0     12   Andy Moore 1 3 4 2 6 3   19  
Trevor Harding (c) 2' 0 1 0       3 1 Ross Brady r 1 r 2'       3 1
Shane Parker 3 2 2 3       10   Rusty Harrison (g) 2 2 2 0       6  
Matthew Wright (g) 0 0 0         0   James Birkinshaw 2 0 0 0       2  
James Brundle 3 1 1' 1 1     7 1 Ben Wilson 1' 0 0         1 1
1 59.2 4-2 4-2 Topinka, S.Wilson, Allott, Ashworth
2 60.6 3-3 7-5 Brundle, Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Wright
3 59.9 5-1 12-6 Watt, Harding, Moore, Brady(r)
4 60.1 4-2 16-8 Parker, Harrison, Brundle, B.Wilson
5 60.0 3-5 19-13 Watt, S.Wilson(joker), Ashworth, Harding
6 59.9 4-2 23-15 Topinka, Harrison, Allott, Birkinshaw
7 60.4 2-4 25-19 Moore, Parker, Brady, Wright
8 61.2 3-3 28-22 Ashworth, Allott(tps,+15), Brundle, B.Wilson
9 60.2 4-2 32-24 Watt, Harrison, Harding, Birkinshaw
10 59.0 4-4 36-28 Topinka, Moore(joker), Allott, Brady(r)
11 60.3 2-4 38-32 S.Wilson, Parker, Ashworth, Wright
12 59.2 4-2 42-34 Watt, Moore, Brundle, Birkinshaw
13 59.0 4-2 46-36 Parker, S.Wilson, Topinka, Harrison(bad joke)
14 61.3 1-8 47-44 Moore(Golden double), Brady, Brundle, Harding
15 58.9 1-5 48-49 Moore, S.Wilson, Topinka, Watt

André has hurt his back/neck at work and has been advised to take a few days off to recover. Thanks to Rusty for standing in. The Stars had to draft in Matthew Wright at the eleventh hour after the Tigers protested about Daniel King's eligibility, but the Stars coped, seemed to be well in control and led by 10 with 2 heats remaining. Then Ross Brady slowed Trevor Harding up on the first turn to allow Andy Moore to make up ground as a Golden Double before following him home for a 1-8 heat win to narrow the deficit to just 3 and set up a critical final heat. Andy made a cracking start from gate 4 and with Sean right behind him neither Topinka or the previously unbeaten Davey Watt could even get close.

The Stars management subsequently complained about Andy's engine but I haven't yet heard the outcome. If the stupid Golden double scores are ignored then the respective scores would have been Tigers 50-40 Stars, and Stars 48-42 Tigers so I guess it just about balanced out, but I still don't like it!

Thursday 26th June: KO Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 50   Kings Lynn 'Lillevilla Log Cabin' Stars 48  
Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 3 3 ef     10   Tomas Topinka 3 r fx 2       5  
Ricky Ashworth 1' 1' 3 2' 1     8 3 Adam Allott 0 3 ef 1       4  
Andy Moore 1 1' 1' ef       3 2 Davey Watt 2 3 1 6 2'     14 1
Ross Brady 3 2 2 ef       7   Trevor Harding (c) r 0 0         0  
André Compton 2 2 2' r       6 1 Shane Parker 3 3 6 1' 4 3   20 1
James Birkinshaw 3 1' 3 3       10 1 Chris Collins 1 0 0         1  
Ben Wilson 2' 1' 2' 1       6 3 James Brundle 0 0 1 2' 1'     4 2
1 62.4 3-3 3-3 Topinka, S.Wilson, Ashworth, Allott
2 65.0 5-1 8-4 Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Collins, Brundle
3 63.0 4-2 12-6 Brady, Watt, Moore, Harding(r)
4 62.5 3-3 15-9 Parker, Compton, B.Wilson, Brundle
5 62.5 3-3 18-12 Allott, Brady, Moore, Topinka(r)
6 62.9 3-3 21-15 Parker, S.Wilson, Ashworth, Collins
7 63.8 3-3 24-18 Watt, Compton, Birkinshaw, Harding
8 64.5 5-1 29-19 Ashworth, B.Wilson, Brundle, Allott(ef)
9 63.8 3-6 32-25 Parker(bad joke), Brady, Moore, Collins
10 63.5 5-1 37-26 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Watt, Harding
11 65.6 5-1 42-27 Birkinshaw, Compton, Allott, Topinka(bad joke backfiring)
12 64.4 1-8 43-35 Watt(another bad joke), Brundle, B.Wilson, Moore(ef)
13 64.1 3-3 46-38 S.Wilson, Topinka, Parker, Compton
14 65.5 3-5 49-43 Birkinshaw, Parker(Golden double), Brundle, Brady(ef)
15 65.4 1-5 50-48 Parker, Watt, Ashworth, S.Wilson(ef)

Ross Brady made a good effort on his senior debut for the Tigers. Lacking match fitness was not a problem as he powered past Davey Watt to win heat 3, and his remaining rides prior to his mechanical gremlins in heat 14 suggested that he might well fit the bill.

Ben had a good night but only finished ahead of the Lynn reserves so his score is a little flattering. James on the other hand seems back on form and was ahead of Tomas Topinka when Tomas fell in heat 11, and beat Shane Parker by considerably more than Shane's 15 metre handicap in heat 14.

André was a disappointment tonight. I wonder why he seems to fluctuate between average and unbeatable. Andrew Moore will have to get his act together if he want's to keep that coveted heat-leader slot. He may have desposed Scud to become our 3rd heat-leader on the back of better away performances, but if he continues to under-perform in front of his home fans he might find himself the next scapegoat.

Ricky was on song tonight although he will now be realising that it's a little more challenging in the no.2 jacket than in the reserve berth. Sean bounced back from two lacklustre opening rides to claim two impressive victories, and was streets ahead when his bike called it a day on the last lap of heat 15, as a result of which our lead is down to just 2 points. I wonder why Lynn didn't use Mark Thompson (our asset) against us tonight and rather went with the disappointing Chris Collins?

There are the odd, weird (sorry Alan) individuals who like the "Golden Joker" rule, but the general consensus is that it is absolutely the worst idea ever to have been tried. My own opinion is that if this rule is maintained next season I will simply be boycotting the KO Cup. If you don't like it then do the same and see if the promoters (who promoted the idea) like losing customers (and money). The rule obviously favours 'top heavy' teams and Kings Lynn cerainly fit that description, so I don't imagine they will be complaining.

Monday 23rd June: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 35   Boston 'Barracuda - Braves' 37  
Richard Hall 1 3 3         7   Mark Thompson 2' 2 3 3       10 1
Luke Priest 0 1 1' 0       2 1 Darren Mallett rider replacement (7)  
Benji Compton 1 1 0 2'       4 1 Rob Hollingworth 0 0 1         1  
Ross Brady 3 3 3 3       12   David McAllen 2 3 2 1       8  
Ben Wilson 1 2 2         5   Trevor Harding 3 3 2 2       10  
David Speight 2 0 2         4   Dean Garrod 1 0 0 0       1  
Michael Mitchell fx 1' 0         1 1 Luke Clifton 3 2' 1' 1' f     7 3
1 64.1 1-5 1-5 Harding(r/r), Thompson, Hall, Priest
2 64.5 2-4 3-9 Clifton, Speight(+15), Garrod, Mitchell(fx)
3 63.5 4-2 7-11 Brady, McAllen, Compton, Hollingworth
4 64.0 1-5 8-16 Harding, Clifton, Wilson, Speight
5 64.2 4-2 12-18 Brady, Thompson, Compton, Garrod(r/r)
6 64.6 4-2 16-20 Hall, Harding, Priest, Garrod
7 64.7 3-3 19-23 McAllen, Wilson, Mitchell, Hollingworth
8 64.1 3-3 22-26 Thompson(r/r), Speight, Priest, Garrod
9 64.1 3-3 25-29 Brady, Harding, Clifton, Compton
10 65.4 3-3 28-32 Hall, McAllen, Clifton, Priest
11 64.9 2-4 30-36 Thompson, Wilson, McAllen(r/r), Mitchell
12 awd 5-1 35-37 Brady(t/s), Compton, Hollingworth, Clifton(f)

Eight points behind after 4 heats, then the Prowlers started to drag themselves back into the match. Ross Brady and Benji were on a 5-1 in heat 12 when Luke Clifton in 3rd place just didn't turn into the first bend on the last lap taking a nasty looking tumble, and an ambulance ride to hospital with suspected neck injuries. Best wishes to Luke that it isn't as serious as feared. With the curfew looming there was little choice but to abandon the match at this stage which was a shame as the Prowlers had clawed their way back into contention and we looked set for a grandstand finale.

ps. Luke was eventually discharged from hospital at 03:30 once it had been accertained that he worst of his injuries were thankfully just cuts and bruises.

Monday 23rd June: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 53 89 Buxton 'Hitmen' 37 91
Richard Hall 2 2 2 3 2'     11 1 Will Beveridge 3 1 3 2 2 1   12  
Luke Priest 1' 1' 2 1'       5 3 Paul Sharples 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 1 2' 2' 1       6 2 Matthew Tutton 0 0 0         0  
Ross Brady 3 3 3 2       11   James Wright 2 3 3 3 3 0   14  
Ben Wilson 2 2 3 1 3     11   Chris Collins 3 3 0 1 0     7  
David Speight 1 1' 1 1'       4 2 Lee Derbyshire 2 0 0 2'       4 1
Michael Mitchell 3 1' 1' 0       5 2 Gary Flint fx f 0         0  
1 65.3 3-3 3-3 Beveridge, Hall, Priest, Sharples
2 65.6 4-2 7-5 Mitchell, Derbyshire, Speight(f/rem), Flint(fx)
3 63.7 4-2 11-7 Brady, Wright, Compton, Tutton
4 65.3 3-3 14-10 Collins, Wilson, Mitchell, Flint(f)
5 62.1 5-1 19-11 Brady, Compton, Beveridge, Sharples (Conference track record)
6 64.5 3-3 22-14 Collins, Hall, Priest, Derbyshire
7 63.7 3-3 25-17 Wright, Wilson, Speight, Collins(t/s)
8 65.1 3-3 28-20 Beveridge(t/s), Priest, Mitchell, Sharples
9 63.0 5-1 33-21 Brady, Compton, Collins, Derbyshire
10 64.2 3-3 36-24 Wright, Hall, Priest, Tutton
11 65.0 4-2 40-26 Wilson, Beveridge, Speight, Tutton(t/s)
12 64.8 1-5 41-31 Wright(t/s), Derbyshire, Compton, Mitchell(f/rem)
13 64.9 4-2 45-33 Hall, Beveridge, Wilson, Collins(f/rem)
14 65.0 3-3 48-36 Wright, Brady, Speight, Flint
15 65.0 5-1 53-37 Wilson, Hall, Beveridge, Wright

Ross Brady looks good and sharp, although probably not match fit, which is what this exercise was all about. In the final analysis the bonus was lost by just the odd point! Heat 2 was surreal. Michael Mitchell fell on the 3rd turn, but jumped back on and rejoined the race. Lee Derbyshire and the others then slowed right down on the next lap as if the race had been stopped but no red lights or flags had been shown so the referee decided to restart the race with all 4 riders. At the next attempt it was Gary Flint who fell on the same 3rd turn and didn't clear the track causing the red lights to come on, only for Michael Mitchell to then fall on the second bend. At the third attempt Michael stormed into the lead and never put a foot wrong, so in heat 2 he won the race despite falling TWICE! Another classic for the video archives was Benji Compton getting it all out of shape on the second turn and performing a beautiful 360 degree doughnut. Michael Mitchell who was following took evasive action but ended up collecting the fence. Maybe he was laughing too much :-)

Sunday 22nd June: Conference League
Buxton 'Hitmen' 54   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 36  
Will Beveridge 3 x 3 3       9   Richard Hall 2 2 3 1' 2 1   11 1
Paul Sharples 0 1' 0         1 1 David Speight 1' 0 0 1       2 1
Matthew Tutton 0 1 1         2   Benji Compton 2 0 2 2 2' 0   8 1
James Wright 3 3 3 3 2'     14 1 Luke Priest 1' 1 1' 0       3 2
Chris Collins 3 3 3 1 3     13   Ben Wilson 2 3 2 3 x2     10  
Lee Derbyshire 3 2 2 0 1 2'   10 1 Andrew Jackson r 1 0         1  
Jonathon Bethell 2' 1 2' x       5 2 Michael Mitchell 1 0 0         1  

The Hitmen raced to a comfortable win against the Prowlers.

Thursday 19th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 53 106 Berwick '3T Mobile.net' Bandits 36 73
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 1 3 2'     12 1 Mikael Makovsky 0 3 3 1' 2 1   10 1
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 3 3 3     13 2 David Meldrum 1 2' 2 2 1' 0   8 2
Andy Moore 3 r ef 3       6   Paul Bentley (c) 0 1 0         1  
Scott Smith rider replacement (8) (1) Adrian Rymel 1 0 2 2 1'     6 1
André Compton 3 3 3 x 3     12   Claus Kristensen 1' 1 ef         2 1
James Birkinshaw 2 2' 2' 2 0 0   8 2 Carlos Villar fx f           0  
Ben Wilson 1' 0 0 0       1 1 Josef Franc 3 2 1' 1' 2     9 2
1 63.6 5-1 5-1 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Meldrum, Makovsky
2 63.9 3-3 8-4 Franc, Birkinshaw, Wilson, Villar(fx)
3 62.3 5-1 13-5 Moore, Birkinshaw(r/r), Rymel, Bentley
4 61.5 3-3 16-8 Compton, Franc, Kristensen, B.Wilson
5 62.3 1-5 17-13 Makovsky, Meldrum, Hall(r/r), Moore(r)
6 61.9 5-1 22-14 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Kristensen, Villar(f)
7 61.5 5-1 27-15 Compton, Birkinshaw, Bentley, Rymel
8 63.1 3-3 30-18 Ashworth, Meldrum, Franc, B.Wilson
9 62.6 2-3 32-21 Makovsky(t/s), Birkinshaw(r/r), Moore(r), Kristensen(ef)
10 62.6 4-2 36-23 Ashworth, Rymel, S.Wilson, Bentley
11 61.8 3-3 39-26 Compton, Meldrum, Makovsky, Birkinshaw
12 62.8 3-3 42-29 Moore, Rymel(t/s), Franc, B.Wilson
13 63.6 3-3 45-32 S.Wilson, Makovsky, Meldrum(t/s), Compton(x)
14 62.9 3-3 48-32 Ashworth(r/r), Franc, Rymel, Birkinshaw
15 62.6 5-1 53-26 Compton, S.Wilson, Makovsky, Meldrum

Despite Andy's mechanical problems we managed to go one better than our big away win at Sheilfield Park. James had a brilliant heat 7 passing both Adrian Rymel and Paul Bentley in the one move round the 3rd and 4th bends, and Andy grafted well in the races which he finished. Ricky bounced back from his 'null point' return for Eastbourne at Belle Vue on Monday to record another paid maximum, and André would have done the same but for Dave Peet having misplaced his specs in heat 13. Having been taken wide by David Meldrum on the first turn André cut back inside him to make the pass and was alongside Mikael exiting the second turn when David found himself heading for a rapidly closing gap. André may well have taken his line, but only because Mikael was drifting wide, and David had time to take evasive action, so a poor decision from David Peet.

Andy was the last to move when the tapes rose in heat 3, but unbelievably led into the first turn(!), and he made a lovely inside pass on the 3rd turn to win heat 12. Sean Wilson was so far ahead in heat 13 that when he developed machine problems on the 3rd lap he just cruised around and still took the win, although he had to walk back to the pits. Ben Wilson was looking subdued again and would probably benefit from a rest in order to get back to full fitness.

Ross Brady will debut for the Prowlers in the double header on Monday (30 races for a quid - come along and see the kids give their all) before becoming a Tiger for next Thursday as Scud's replacement. Ross had a subdued start to the season as Glasgow struggled, and he picked up a knee injury which led to him calling it a day. We'll soon see if he has regained his fitness and enthusiasm...

Sunday 15th June: Premier League
Rye House Rockets 44   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 46  
Brent Werner 2 3 3 1 1     10   Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 2'   17 1
Mark Courtney 1' 1 3 0       5 1 Ricky Ashworth r r 0 1' 1     2 1
Scott Robson 2 2 0 1'       5 1 Andy Moore 3 3 2 3       11  
Brett Woodifield f 1' 1         2 1 Scott Smith rider replacement 3 1
Nigel Sadler 1' 1' 2 0       4 1 André Compton 3 2 2' 2' 3     12 2
Edward Kennett 3 2 0 2'       7 1 James Birkinshaw 1 0 0 0 1     2  
David Mason 2' 2 2' 2 3 0   11 2 Ben Wilson 0 1 0 1 0     2  
1   3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Werner, Courtney, Ashworth(r)
2   5-1 8-4 Kennett, Mason, Birkinshaw, B.Wilson
3   2-4 10-8 Moore, Robson, B.Wilson(r/r), Woodifield(f)
4   3-3 13-11 Compton, Mason, Sadler, B.Wilson
5   3-3 16-14 S.Wilson, Robson, Woodifield, Ashworth(r)
6   4-2 20-16 Werner, Compton, Courtney, Birkinshaw
7   3-3 23-19 Moore, Kennett, Sadler, Birkinshaw(r/r)
8   5-1 28-20 Courtney, Mason, B.Wilson, Ashworth
9   1-5 29-25 S.Wilson(t/s), Compton, Woodifield, Robson
10   3-3 32-28 Werner, Moore, Ashworth(r/r), Courtney
11   2-4 34-32 S.Wilson, Sadler, Ashworth, Kennett
12   3-3 37-35 Moore, Mason, Robson, Birkinshaw
13   1-5 38-40 S.Wilson, Compton, Werner, Sadler
14   5-1 43-41 Mason, Kennett, Birkinshaw(r/r), B.Wilson
15   1-5 44-46 Compton, S.Wilson, Werner, Mason

Maximum heat wins by Sean and André in heats 13 & 15 steal the points for the Tigers, but Andy dropped just one point to Brent Werner on his heat-leader debut to help keep us in the match. David Mason top scored for the Rockets but only beat Ricky and our reserves.

Thursday 12th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 47   IoW Wightlink Islanders 42  
Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 3 1 1'     9 1 Danny Bird 3 2 1 1 2' ef   9 1
James Birkinshaw 0 1' 2' x2       3 2 Glen Phillips 1 0 1 0       2  
Scott Smith 1' 3 2 r       6 1 Ray Morton (c) 3 1 1' 1       6 1
Andy Moore 2 1 0 1       4   Seb Tresarrieu 0 0 2 2       4  
André Compton 2 2' 2' 0       6 2 Adam Shields 3 3 3 3 3 3   18  
Ricky Ashworth 3 3 3 3 2 3 2 19   Chris Mills f 0           0  
Ben Wilson r 0 0         0   Gary Phelps 2 1 ef 0       3  
1 62.3 2-4 2-4 Bird, S.Wilson, Philips, Birkinshaw
2 62.6 3-2 5-6 Ashworth, Phelps, Mills(fx), B.Wilson(r)
3 62.5 3-3 8-9 Morton, Moore, Smith, Tresarrieu
4 62.5 2-4 10-13 Shields, Compton, Phelps, B.Wilson
5 61.6 4-2 14-15 Smith, Bird, Moore, Phillips
6 60.9 3-3 17-18 Shields, S.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Mills
7 62.5 5-1 22-19 Ashworth, Compton, Morton, Tresarrieu
8 61.6 5-1 27-20 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Phillips, Phelps
9 61.7 2-4 29-24 Shields, Smith, Bird(t/s), Moore
10 62.4 3-3 32-27 S.Wilson, Tresarrieu, Morton, B.Wilson, Birkinshaw(tps)
11 61.8 5-1 37-28 Ashworth, Compton, Bird, Phillips(+15)
12 61.7 2-4 39-32 Shields(t/s), Ashworth, Morton, Smith(ef)
13 61.1 1-5 40-37 Shields, Bird, S.Wilson, Compton
14 62.1 4-2 44-39 Ashworth, Tresarrieu, Moore, Phillips
15 62.3 3-3 47-42 Shields, Ashworth, S.Wilson, Bird(ef)

On a well prepared, albeit deeper than usual track the Islanders proved once again to be stern opposition with Adam Shields in sparkling form. Luckily Danny Bird wasn't quite the force he has been in the past, and the rest of the Islanders were eventually worn down. The Sheffield top five managed just 2 heat wins between them (Sean and Scud) and the Tigers saviour was once again Ricky with an amazing 19 points and only beaten by Adam Shields.

Tac-sub Danny Bird traded elbows with Scud on the first turn of heat 9 with Scud easing ahead to join Andy down the back straight. Danny then took his brain out of gear and made the most reckless dive down the inside into turn 3 which could have so easily resulted in three riders ploughing into the fence. As it was Andy took evasive action and Scud just avoided being collected. Andy closed Dany down and was in position to reciprocate on the last lap but was a little more circumspect than his opponent.

Danny moved André over on the same 3rd turn in heat 11, but once André got back on terms he didn't hesitate to dive past just as Danny caught the full force of Ricky's shale which put him right out of shape. Ricky and Adam had a 4 lap thriller with passing and repassing in heat 12 before Scud expired on the last turn, and unlucky Sean looked set to inflict Adam's first defeat of the night when he led heat 15 comfortably until shedding a chain on the 2nd turn of the last lap.

All change now as the June green sheets come into force and Ricky moves up into the team, with James relegated to reserve.

Sunday 8th June: Conference League
Newport Mavericks 56 83 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 33 96
Scott Peglar 2 3 3 3 3     14   Richard Hall 3 0 3 2 1 2   11  
Nick Mallett 0 ns           0   David Speight 1 1 0 0 1'     3 1
Danny Hughes 3 2' 1' 2       8 2 Benji Compton 2 2 x x2 x     4  
Danny Warwick r 3 2 3       8   Luke Priest 1 f 2 2 x     5  
Tom Brown 2 3 3 2' 1     11 1 Ben Wilson (c) 3 x 3 3 x 3   12  
Karl Mason 2' 1 1' 1 r     5 2 Ben Warburton 1 x           1  
Jamie Westacott 3 1' 2' 2 1 1'   10 3 Michael Mitchell r f 0         0  

On a disgraceful track the Mavericks had a clear home advantage and romped to a big win despite losing Nick Mallett with broken fingers following one of the many falls.

Sunday 8th June: Premier League
Newport Wasps 50   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 40  
Frank Smart 2 2' 2' 2 3 1'   12 3 Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 2' 2 2 3   15 1
Carl Wilkinson 1' 1' 3 1 x 1'   6 3 James Birkinshaw 0 0 0         0  
Niels Iversen rider replacement (9) (2) Scott Smith 0 r r         0  
Tony Atkin 3 2 2' 3 1     11 1 Andy Moore 1 2 3 fx       6  
Adam Shields 3 3 3 3 r 2   14   André Compton 2 1 1 1' 3 r   8 1
Chris Schramm 2 1 1 0       4   Ricky Ashworth 3 0 3 0 2     8  
Danny Hughes 0 1 1 1       3   Ben Wilson 1 0 2'         3 1
1 60.34 3-3 3-3 Gjedde, Wilson, J.Smith, Birkinshaw
2 61.56 2-4 5-7 Ashworth, T.Allen, Hawkins, Hall
3 61.09 5-1 10-8 Fry, Neath, S.Smith, Moore
4 61.16 4-2 14-10 O.Allen, Compton, Hawkins, Hall
5 62.09 3-3 17-13 Fry, Wilson, Neath, Birkinshaw
6 60.85 5-1 22-14 Gjedde, Compton, J.Smith, Ashworth
7 60.68 4-2 26-16 O.Allen, S.Smith, Moore, T.Allen
8 62.47 1-5 27-21 Wilson, Birkinshaw, Hawkins, J.Smith(fx)
9 60.69 5-1 32-22 Compton, Neath, Fry, Ashworth
10 60.32 3-3 35-25 Gjedde, Moore, J.Smith, S.Smith
11 61.07 4-2 39-27 O.Allen, S.Wilson, Moore(t/s), T.Allen
12 63.81 4-2 43-29 Fry, Hawkins, S.Smith, Hall
13 61.12 3-3 46-32 O.Allen, Gjedde, Compton, Wilson(r)
14 62.53 1-5 47-37 Compton(t/s), Moore, Hawkins, Neath
15 61.03 3-3 50-40 Wilson, Compton, O.Allen, Gjedde

The Wasps made full use of rider replacement for Neils Iversen, and Adam Shields who guested for Craig Watson was in scintillating form as they extended a 10 point lead. Zero point returns by second string James, and heat-leader Scott set alarm bells ringing in the Owlerton office.

Thursday 5th June: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 49 93 Workington J. Edgar Comets 40 85
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3     15   Carl Stonehewer 2 3 2 2 2     11  
James Birkinshaw 0 0 2 1       3   Kauko Niemenen 1' ef 0         1 1
Scott Smith 1' 2 3 3       9 1 Simon Stead 3 2 2 2 0     9  
Andy Moore 2 ef ef 2'       4 1 Aidan Collins 0 0 0 1       1  
André Compton 0 3 3 0 1     7   Rusty Harrison 3 1' 2 1'       7 2
Ricky Ashworth 3 1 1 1 3     9   Blair Scott 2 2 3 1' 0 0   8 1
Benji Compton 0 1 1'         2 1 Chris Collins 1' 2' 0         3 2
1 61.9 3-3 3-3 Wilson, Stonehewer, Niemenen, Birkinshaw
2 63.3 3-3 6-6 Ashworth, Scott, C.Collins, B.Compton
3 61.6 3-3 9-9 Stead, Moore, Smith, A.Collins
4 62.5 1-5 10-14 Harrison, C.Collins, B.Compton, A.Compton
5 62.0 2-3 12-17 Stonehewer, Smith, Moore(ef), Niemenen(ef)
6 61.9 3-3 15-20 Wilson, Scott, Harrison, Birkinshaw
7 62.3 4-2 19-22 A.Compton, Stead, Ashworth, A.Collins
8 63.2 3-3 22-25 Scott, Birkinshaw, B.Compton, Niemenen
9 62.2 3-3 25-28 Smith, Harrison, Scott, Moore(ef)
10 61.4 4-2 29-30 Wilson, Stead, Birkinshaw, A.Collins
11 61.4 4-2 33-32 A.Compton, Stonehewer, Ashworth, C.Collins
12 62.1 4-2 37-34 Smith, Stead, Ashworth, Scott
13 61.5 3-3 40-37 Wilson, Stonehewer, Harrison, A.Compton
14 62.9 5-1 45-38 Ashworth, Moore, A.Collins, Scott
15 61.3 4-2 49-40 Wilson, Stonehewer, A.Compton, Stead

The Tigers recorded their 111th consecutive home win in official fixtures, but only after a scare as they trailed by 5 points after 5 heats. The track was beautifully prepared and very fast but to be honest there wasn't that much racing.

Sean turned on a near perfect display and was never troubled by the visiting ex-Sheffield favourites as he claimed his first full maximum of the year. His time when winning heat 15 was not only the fastest of the night, but was also faster than he managed all last season! James was struggling to get out of the starts tonight but still gave Simon a run for his money in heat 10. Scud was only beaten by Steady and Stoney and gained his revenge over Simon in heat 12, while Andy only managed two finishes from his four starts.

André was perhaps more concerned about partnering his kid brother in heat 4 and maybe that led to him forgetting to turn his fuel on! Two very good wins beating both Steady and Stoney followed before he was caught napping by a determined Rusty Harrison off the last bend of heat 13. Ricky only dropped points to (you guessed!) Steady and Stoney, while young Benji (whose Prowlers performance on Monday had caught the eye) impressed me with a determined and nicely executed ride when passing Kauko Niemenen in heat 8. Nice one Benji!

Monday 2nd June: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 43 82 Swindon Sprockets 47 97
Ben Wilson rider replacement (7) (1) Malcolm Holloway 3 3 1' 3 1     11 1
Luke Priest 2 1' 2' 2' 1 2'   10 4 Simon Dyminski tx 2' 1 2       5 1
Benji Compton 3 x 2 2 3 3 0 13   Barry Campbell 2 3 1 1'       7 1
David Speight 1 1 1'         3 1 Jack Gledhill 0 1 0         1  
Richard Hall 1' fx 0 3 3 ef 2 9 1 Tommy Allen 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1
Jamie Rodgers 1 2 0 3       6   Lee Smart r 2' 0 0 0     2 1
Michael Mitchell ef 2 0         2   Simon Walker 3 1 0 2 1     7  
1 64.5 3-3 3-3 Holloway, Priest, Hall(r/r), Smart(r), Dyminski(tps)
2 70.2 1-5 4-8 Walker, Smart, Rodgers(fell/rem), Mitchell(ef)
3 64.5 4-2 8-10 Compton, Campbell, Speight, Gledhill
4 66.3 2-4 10-14 Allen, Mitchell, Walker, Hall(fx)
5 64.8 1-5 11-19 Holloway, Dyminski, Speight, Compton(x)
6 65.4 3-3 14-22 Allen, Compton(t/s), Priest, Smart
7 65.6 2-4 16-26 Campbell, Rodgers, Gledhill, Hall
8 64.6 5-1 21-27 Hall(t/s), Priest, Dyminski, Walker
9 65.3 3-3 24-30 Allen, Compton, Speight, Smart
10 64.3 5-1 29-31 Compton(r/r), Priest, Campbell, Gledhill
11 65.1 3-3 32-34 Hall, Dyminski, Holloway, Rodgers
12 64.5 3-3 35-37 Compton, Walker, Campbell, Mitchell
13 65.2 1-5 36-42 Holloway, Allen, Priest(r/r), Hall(ef)
14 66.1 5-1 41-43 Rodgers, Priest(t/s), Walker, Smart
15 64.5 2-4 43-47 Allen, Hall, Holloway, Compton

Swindon proved too strong for the Prowlers who sorely missed their top rider and captain. The track looked fine so it was probably just over enthusiasm which caused six Sheffield fallers in the first seven races (including David Speight three times in heat 5, well twice in the heat and once after the finish)! The rest of the lads had to battle away to glean points as the Sprockets gave them lessons in gating, which made for good entertainment for the spartan crowd.

Sunday 1st June: Premier League
Swindon 'Pebley Beach' Robins 50 86 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 40 94
Charlie Gjedde 3 3 3 2' 0     11 1 Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 3 2 r 3   12  
Jamie Smith 1 1 fx 1       3   James Birkinshaw 0 0 2'         2 1
Paul Fry (c) 3 3 1' 3       10 1 Scott Smith 1 2 0 1       4  
Chris Neath 2' 1 2 0       5 1 Andy Moore 0 1' 2 1' 2'     6 3
Olly Allen 3 3 3 3 1     13   André Compton 2 2 3 1 3 2'   13 1
Tommy Allen 2 0 0         2   Ricky Ashworth 3 0 0         3  
Ritchie Hawkins 1' 1 1 2' 1     6 2 Richard Hall 0 0 0         0  
1 66.8 4-2 4-2 Gjedde, Wilson, J.Smith, Birkinshaw
2 69.52 3-3 7-5 Ashworth, T.Allen, Hawkins, Hall
3 67.02 5-1 12-6 Fry, Neath, S.Smith, Moore
4 67.42 4-2 16-8 O.Allen, Compton, Hawkins, Hall
5 67.3 4-2 20-10 Fry, Wilson, Neath, Birkinshaw
6 67.06 4-2 24-12 Gjedde, Compton, J.Smith, Ashworth
7 68.17 3-3 27-15 O.Allen, S.Smith, Moore, T.Allen
8 awd 1-5 28-20 Wilson, Birkinshaw, Hawkins, J.Smith(fx)
9 66.86 3-3 31-23 Compton, Neath, Fry, Ashworth
10 67.05 4-2 35-25 Gjedde, Moore, J.Smith, S.Smith
11 67.3 3-3 38-28 O.Allen, S.Wilson, Moore(t/s), T.Allen
12 68.17 5-1 43-29 Fry, Hawkins, S.Smith, Hall
13 67.87 5-1 48-30 O.Allen, Gjedde, Compton, Wilson(r)
14 68.3 1-5 49-35 Compton(t/s), Moore, Hawkins, Neath
15 68.09 1-5 50-40 Wilson, Compton, O.Allen, Gjedde

The Tigers pull 2 unexpected maximum heat wins out of the bag in the last two heats to scavenge the bonus point...

Thursday 29th May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 54   Swindon 'Pebley Beach' Robins 36  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 3 ef 2     11   Benji Compton 1' 0 1'         2 2
James Birkinshaw r 1' 2 1       4 1 Jamie Smith 2 3 1 1 0     7  
Scott Smith r 2 0 3       5   Paul Fry (c) 2 1 2 1 1 0   7  
Andy Moore 3 1' 2 3 1     10 1 Chris Neath 1' 0 0         1 1
André Compton 3 2' 3 3       11 1 Oliver Allen 2 3 3 3 2 2   15  
Ricky Ashworth 3 3 2' 2' 2'     12 3 Ritchie Hawkins 2 0 1 0       3  
Richard Hall 1 0 0         1   Tommy Allen 0 1' 0         1 1
1 63.5 3-3 3-3 Wilson, J.Smith, B.Compton, Birkinshaw(r)
2 64.3 4-2 7-5 Ashworth, Hawkins, Hall, T.Allen
3 63.7 3-3 10-8 Moore, Fry, Neath, S.Smith(r)
4 62.5 3-3 13-11 A.Compton, O.Allen, T.Allen, Hall
5 63.7 3-3 16-14 J.Smith, S.Smith, Moore, B.Compton
6 62.6 3-3 19-17 O.Allen, Wilson, Birkinshaw, Hawkins
7 63.4 5-1 24-18 Ashworth, A.Compton, Fry, Neath
8 62.8 2-4 26-22 O.Allen(t/s), Birkinshaw, J. Smith, Hall
9 62.4 2-4 28-26 O.Allen, Moore, Hawkins, S.Smith
10 62.5 4-2 32-28 Wilson, Fry, Birkinshaw, Neath
11 61.3 5-1 37-29 A.Compton, Ashworth, J.Smith, Hawkins
12 62.1 5-1 42-30 Smith, Ashworth, Fry, J.Smith(t/s)
13 62.3 3-3 45-33 A.Compton, O.Allen, B.Compton, Wilson(ef)
14 62.5 5-1 50-34 Moore, Ashworth, Fry(t/s), T.Allen
15 61.8 4-2 54-36 S.Wilson, O.Allen, Moore, Fry

Ben Wilson had 12 internal, and 4 external stitches in his leg near his groin at a hospital in Sheffield after being discharged from a hospital in Hull which had managed to overlook this injury. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Richard Hall might not have scored heavily on his senior Tigers debut, but he grafted hard and won the respect of the supporters. Scud was obviously not 100% and made no ground after a poor start in heat 9, and had to pull out when leading heat 3 when he picked up a puncture.

Sean suffered an uncharacteristic breakdown when set for a 5-1 with André in heat 13, and gave second best to fast starting Oliver Allen in heat 6, but is looking like getting back on form. Andy Moore's best ride was saved to the last heat when he plugged away time and again on the unfavoured inside line before getting the narrowest of vedicts over Paul Fry right on the line. André looked unbeatable all evening, while super Ricky moved up a gear to claim his first ever paid maximum at Premier League level. Nice one Ricky!

Wednesday 28th May: Knockout Cup
Hull Vikings 41 84 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 48 104
Garry Stead 2 3 1' 2 0     8 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 2 3       11  
Lee Dicken 1' 0 0 2       3 1 James Birkinshaw 0 0 0 3 0     3  
Shaun Tacey 3 2 2 3       10   Scott Smith rider replacement (4)  
Neil Collins 1 1' 1' 0       3 2 Andy Moore 0 1 3 2 3 2   11  
Paul Thorp fx 2' 3 0 3     8 1 André Compton 2 3 1' 3 1 1'   11 2
Simon Cartwright fx 3 1 1 1     6   Ricky Ashworth 3 2' 2 2' 0 1' 2' 12 4
Barrie Evans 2 1 0         3   Ben Wilson ns             0  
1 66.4 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Stead, Dicken, Birkinshaw
2 69.9 2-3 5-6 Ashworth, Evans, B.Wilson(ns, inj), Cartwright(fx)
3 68.7 4-2 9-8 Tacey, Compton(r/r), Collins, Moore
4 69.6 1-5 10-13 Compton, Ashworth, Evans, Thorp(fx)
5 67.9 3-3 13-16 S.Wilson, Tacey, Collins, Birkinshaw
6 68.2 3-3 16-19 Stead, Ashworth, Compton, Dicken
7 69.7 5-1 21-20 Cartwright, Thorp, Moore, Birkinshaw(r/r)
8 69.3 1-5 22-25 Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Cartwright, Dicken
9 69.4 3-3 25-28 Compton, Tacey, Collins, Ashworth
10 68.3 3-3 28-31 Moore, Dicken, Stead, no r/r
11 68.4 4-2 32-33 Thorp, S.Wilson, Cartwright, Birkinshaw
12 68.5 3-3 35-36 Tacey, Moore(r/r), Ashworth, Evans
13 67.7 2-4 37-40 S.Wilson, Stead, Compton, Thorp
14 68.4 1-5 38-45 Moore, Ashworth, Cartwright, Collins
15 68.2 3-3 41-48 Thorp, Moore, Compton, Stead

The meeting started late following a bust-up over Scud's absence. The Hull promotion announced that Richard Hall would ride as a heat-leader while Neil Machin insisted that he had a sick note and that rider replacement would be employed. The ref finally agreed with Neil and the Vikings rode under protest.

Then Simon Cartwright clattered into Ben Wilson in heat 2 which resulted in Ben visiting the hospital with a suspected broken leg and more delays. The Tigers were now down to five men but they just got stuck in and were only behind on points twice, and never by more than 1 point, plus of course that 13 point advantage from the first leg. The icing was on the cake when Andy and Ricky grabbed maximum points from heat 14 to put us seven points ahead and guaranteed us the away win.

The Vikings didn't do themselves any favours with Thorpy falling while streets ahead in heat 4, and Garry Stead forgetting to turn his fuel on in one race, but alarm bells must be sounding in the New Craven Park pits. Richard Hall looks like getting the chance to prove his worth as he will surely stand-in for Ben against Swindon at Owlerton.

Sunday 25th May: Premier League
Glasgow Tigers 47   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 42  
George Stancl 2 3 3 2 2'     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 1   16  
Christian Henry 1' 0 2 x       3 1 James Birkinshaw 0 0 3 0       3  
James Grieves 3 2 3 2 3     13   Scott Smith 0 2 x         2 0
Kevin Doolan 1 1' 1 2       5 1 Andy Moore 2 1' 2 1 3 0   9 1
Les Collins 3 0 2 0       5   André Compton 2 2 2 1       7  
David McAllan 3 3 1' 0 0     7 1 Ricky Ashworth 2 1' 0 1       4 1
Trent Leverington 1 1 0         2   Ben Wilson 0 0 1         1  
1 58.8 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Stancl, Henry, Birkinshaw
2 60.0 4-2 7-5 McAllan, Ashworth, Leverington, B.Wilson
3 59.9 4-2 11-7 Grieves, Moore, Doolan, Smith
4 59.5 4-2 15-9 Collins, Compton, Leverington, B.Wilson
5 59.6 3-3 18-12 S.Wilson, Grieves, Doolan, Birkinshaw
6 59.5 3-3 21-15 Stancl, Compton, Ashworth, Henry
7 60.7 3-3 24-18 McAllan, Smith, Moore, Collins
8 61.3 2-4 26-22 Birkinshaw, Henry, B.Wilson, Leverington
9 59.9 4-2 30-24 Grieves, Compton, Doolan, Ashworth
10 awd 3-2 33-26 Stancl, Moore, Henry(fx), Smith(r)
11 60.4 3-3 36-29 S.Wilson, Collins, McAllan, Birkinshaw
12 60.1 2-4 38-33 S.Wilson(t/s), Grieves, Moore, McAllan
13 60.3 2-4 40-37 S.Wilson, Stancl, Compton, Collins
14 60.4 2-4 42-41 Moore, Doolan, Ashworth, McAllan
15 60.6 5-1 47-42 Grieves, Stancl, S.Wilson, Moore

The South Yorkshire Tigers clawed their way back into this match in the dying stages and went into the last heat decider one point adrift. Andy Moore fell sandwiched between Grieves and Stancl at the first attempt, and in the restart the previously unbeaten Sean Wilson made a poor start which allowed the Scottish Tigers their first league victory against Sheffield since 1998.

André had a quiet night, as did Ricky, and James wasn't his usual forceful self around one of his favourite tracks. Young Ben wasn't at the races again and with Scud only managing the one scoring finish it was left to Andy and Sean to keep us in the match. The bonus shouldn't be a problem come the return match in August, but this was a match we should have won.

Thursday 22nd May: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 61 102 Newcastle KBS Diamonds 29 77
Sean Wilson (c) 2 3 3 2' 2'     12 2 Bjarne Pedersen 3 3 2 2 ef 1   11  
James Birkinshaw 1' 2' 2 2'       7 3 Richard Juul 0 2 fx 1 0 1   4  
Scott Smith 3 2 3 3 3     14   Kevin Little (c) rider replacement (3)  
Andy Moore 1 1' 2' 3       7 2 Steffen Mell 0 0 1 0       1  
André Compton 3 3 3 3       12   Kenneth Bjerre 2 ef 3 1 1 1 0 8  
Ricky Ashworth 3 1 1 2' 2'     9 2 William Lawson 2 1 0         3  
Ben Wilson ef 0 0         0   James Wright 1' 1' 0 0       2 2
1 63.1 3-3 3-3 Pedersen, S.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Juul
2 64.2 3-3 6-6 Ashworth, Lawson, Wright, B.Wilson(ef)>
3 64.1 4-2 10-8 Smith, Juul(r/r), Moore, Mell
4 64.2 3-3 13-11 Compton, Bjerre, Wright, B.Wilson
5 awd 3-3 16-14 Pedersen, Smith, Moore, Juul(fx)
6 65.0 5-1 21-15 S.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Lawson, Bjerre(ef)
7 63.2 4-2 25-17 Compton, Pedersen(t/s), Ashworth, Mell
8 64.4 2-4 27-21 Bjerre(t/s), Birkinshaw, Juul, B.Wilson
9 63.7 5-1 32-22 Smith, Moore, Bjerre, Wright
10 65.9 5-1 37-23 S.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Mell, Lawson(r/r)
11 63.6 4-2 41-25 Compton, Pedersen, Ashworth, Juul
12 65.1 5-1 46-26 Smith, Ashworth, Bjerre(r/r), Wright
13 64.1 5-1 51-27 Compton, S.Wilson, Bjerre, Pedersen(ef)
14 65.4 5-1 56-28 Moore, Ashworth, Juul(t/s), Mell
15 64.5 5-1 61-29 Smith, S.Wilson, Pedersen, Bjerre

The track clearly suffered some heavy rain earlier in the day but the track staff did a good job of soaking it up and it rode better as the meeting progressed. Bjarne Pedersen left Sean trailing in heat 1 and was well ahead of Scud when Richard Juul slid off at the back in heat 5. Amazingly that was his last heat win as he was well beaten by André twice before retiring at the back in heat 13 and then opting out of a ferocious first bend in heat 15. Kenneth Bjerre took the Diamonds only other heat win as a tactical substitute in heat 8 having to re-pass a determined James Birkinshaw, but then the Diamonds collapsed allowing the Tigers to claim six 5-1's from the last seven heats.

Ben Wilson sadly wasn't at the races tonight but the rest of the team easily made up for that with André never looking like dropping a point. Ricky had a great tussle with Kenneth in heat 12, and Scud made a blistering move to come from nowhere to take the lead in heat 9. Sean was looking back to his best and Andy and James both had their moments in a good team performance against admittedly poor opposition.

Sunday 18 May: Conference League
Newcastle Gems 50   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 39  
Craig Branney (c) 3 3 3 3 2 2   16   Richard Hall 0 2 2' 1' 1 r   6 2
Steven Jones 1 1 3 1 1     7   Benji Compton 2 1' 3 2       8 1
William Lawson 3 3 2 3 3 1'   15 1 David Speight 0 1 0         1  
Scott Nettleship 1 0 0 2'       3 1 Luke Priest 2 0 2         4  
Jamie Robertson rider replacement     Ben Wilson (c) 2 2 3 3 3     13  
John Branney fx 2' 0 0 2' 0 3 7 2 Jamie Rodgers 3 0 1 1       5  
Kriss Irving 2 fx           2   Michael Mitchell 1 1' 0         2 1

Sunday 18th May: Premier League
Newcastle KBS Diamonds 48   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 41  
Kenneth Bjerre 2 3 0 1'       6 1 Sean Wilson 3 3 3 2 3     14  
Richard Juul 1' 2' 2 2 0     7 2 James Birkinshaw 0 0 0         0  
Kevin Little (c) 3 2 2 2'       9 1 Scott Smith 1 0 1         2  
Steffen Mell 2' 1' 0 1       4 2 Andy Moore f 2 1 1 3 1'   8 1
Bjarne Pedersen 3 3 3 2 3     14   André Compton 2 1 3 3 x2 2   11  
William Lawson 3 1 0 1 3 0   8   Ricky Ashworth f 0 1 fx       1  
Jamie Robertson f f           0   Ben Wilson 2 1' 0 2'       5 2
1   3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Bjerre, Juul, Birkinshaw
2   3-2 6-5 Lawson, B.Wilson, Robertson(f), Ashworth(f)
3   5-1 11-6 Little, Mell, Smith, Moore(f)
4   3-3 14-9 Pedersen, Compton, B.Wilson, Robertson(f)
5   3-3 17-12 S.Wilson, Little, Mell, Birkinshaw
6   5-1 22-13 Bjerre, Juul, Compton, Ashworth
7   4-2 26-15 Pedersen, Moore, Lawson, Smith
8   2-4 28-19 S.Wilson(t/s), Juul, Moore(t/s), Lawson
9   2-4 30-23 Compton, Little, Ashworth, Mell
10   2-4 32-27 Compton(t/s), Juul, Moore, Bjerre
11   4-2 36-29 Pedersen, S.Wilson, Lawson, Birkinshaw
12   5-1 41-30 Lawson, Little, Smith, Ashworth(fx)
13   3-3 44-33 S.Wilson, Pedersen, Bjerre, B.Wilson, Compton(2mins)
14   1-5 45-38 Moore, B.Wilson, Mell, Lawson
15   3-3 48-41 Pedersen, Compton, Moore, Juul

Scott and James failed to finish ahead of anyone. Ben only achieved that in heat 14 and with Ricky taking a couple of tumbles there just wasn't enough back-up for the heat leaders. Andy wasn't quite as prolific as he was for Glasgow at Brough Park last month and André was excluded from heat 13 for failing to change his helmet colour inside the time allowance. At least Sean was on-form, and the bonus should be a formality on Thursday...

Saturday 17th May: British League Cup
Coventry 'Victor Chandler' Bees 48 91 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 42 89
Billy Hamill 3 3 3 3 2'     14 1 Sean Wilson (c) 2 1 3 3 0     9  
Jason Bunyan 1 x 2 1       4   James Birkinshaw 0 0 1         1  
Ryan Fisher 1' 3 2 x       6 1 Scott Smith 0 1' 0         1 1
Stuart Robson 2 2' 1' 1       6 2 Andy Moore 3 2 2 3 3 0   13  
Billy Janniro 3 3 2 2' 3     13 1 André Compton 2 2 3 1 2' 1   11 1
Scott James 2 0 0         2   Ricky Ashworth 3 1' 0 2'       6 2
Richard Hall 0 1 1' 1 0     3 1 Ben Wilson 1 0 0         1  
1 60.7 4-2 4-2 Hamill, S.Wilson, Bunyan, Birkinshaw
2 63.6 2-4 6-6 Ashworth, James, B.Wilson, Hall
3 61.6 3-3 9-9 Moore, Robson, Fisher, Smith
4 60.7 4-2 13-11 Janniro, Compton, Hall, B.Wilson
5 61.3 5-1 18-12 Fisher, Robson, S.Wilson, Birkinshaw
6 61.1 3-3 21-15 Hamill, Compton, Ashworth, Bunyan(fx)
7 61.6 3-3 24-18 Janniro, Moore, Smith, James
8 61.9 3-3 27-21 S.Wilson(t/s), Bunyan, Hall, B.Wilson
9 60.6 3-3 30-24 Compton, Fisher, Robson, Ashworth
10 60.5 4-2 34-26 Hamill, Moore, Bunyan, Smith
11 60.7 2-4 36-30 S.Wilson, Janniro, Birkinshaw, James
12 63.1 1-5 37-35 Moore, Ashworth, Hall, Fisher(fx)
13 61.5 5-1 42-36 Hamill, Janniro, Compton, S.Wilson
14 61.3 1-5 43-41 Moore, Compton(t/s), Robson, Hall
15 61.6 5-1 48-42 Janniro, Hamill, Compton, Moore

Soggy shale was removed and sawdust put down before the match started but the racing didn't suffer too much. Two late wins by Andy Moore kept the Tigers in contention but the home pairing sped to a maximum in heat 15 to claim both the win and the bonus.

Thursday 15th May: Knockout Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 56   Hull Vikings 43  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 0 3 3       9   Garry Stead (c) 2 1 6 2 2' 3   16 1
James Birkinshaw 0 1 3 1       5   Lee Dicken 1' fx           1 1
Scott Smith 2' 3 2' 3 2     12 2 Shaun Tacey 1 0 0 2       3  
Andy Moore 3 2' 3 3 1'     12 2 Neil Collins 0 1 4 2 0     7  
André Compton 2 3 1' 1       7 1 Paul Thorp 3 6 r r       9  
Ricky Ashworth 3 2' 2 0       7 1 Simon Cartwright 2 2' 2 1 r 0   7 1
Ben Wilson 1 1' 1 1       4 1 Barrie Evans 0 0 0         0  
1 62.5 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Stead, Dicken, Birkinshaw
2 64.1 4-2 7-5 Ashworth, Cartwright, B.Wilson, Evans
3 62.1 5-1 12-6 Moore, Smith, Tacey, Collins [photo]
4 62.1 3-3 15-9 Thorp, Compton, B.Wilson, Evans
5 61.5 5-1 20-10 Smith, Moore, Stead, Dicken
6 62.3 1-8 21-18 Thorp(GJ), Cartwright, Birkinshaw, S.Wilson
7 61.9 5-1 26-19 Compton, Ashworth, Collins, Tacey
8 62.7 4-2 30-21 Birkinshaw, Cartwright, B.Wilson, Evans
9 61.5 5-1 35-22 Moore, Smith, Cartwright, Thorp(r)
10 61.7 4-4 39-26 S.Wilson, Collins(GJ), Birkinshaw, Tacey
11 61.8 3-6 42-32 Stead(GJ), Ashworth, Compton, Cartwright
12 63.1 4-2 46-34 Smith, Tacey, B.Wilson, Cartwright
13 62.3 4-2 50-36 S.Wilson, Stead, Compton, Thorp(r)
14 62.6 3-4 53-40 Moore, Collins, Stead(GD), Ashworth
15 62.6 3-3 56-43 Stead, Smith, Moore, Collins(+15)

Plonker Thorp was full of it before the meeting and reckon's I'm cocky (along with the Sheffield team and all the Sheffield fans) but at least I'm not a pathetic quitter who spits the dummy when he can't get his own way. Garry Stead got stuck in and gave us some racing, as did Neil Colllins. Simon Cartwright trapped on, and beat Sean in heat six but didn't amount to anything after that.

Ben did alright for paid 5, James best moment was a determined pass of Simon in heat 8, and Ricky started in good style despite not being able to weigh up the track. André suffered towards the end but was still good value, while Sean displayed his fitness when unable to make up any ground after a poor start in heat 6. Scud and Andy both went into the nominated heat unbeaten and were the Tigers saviours tonight which is particularly good news for Andy as his home form has been somewhat suspect to date.

Lee Dicken pulled a wheelie on the 2nd turn of heat 5 and careered across the track and into the fence. How the others missed him I will never know but inital reports suggested his injuries were thankfully not too serious.

Friday 9th May: Premier League
Edinburgh Monarchs 62   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 28  
Frede Schøtt 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 1 2 1 1   9  
Theo Pijper 1 2' 2' 2'       7 1 James Birkinshaw 0 1' 0         1 1
Peter Carr 1 0 2' 3       6 1 Scott Smith fx fx 0 0       0 0
Rory Schlein 3 3 3 2       11   Andy Moore 2 x2 1 1 3 0   7  
Magnus Karlsson 1' 1' 3 3 2'     10 3 André Compton 3 1 f 0       4  
Barry Campbell 2 2 1 1'       6 1 Ricky Ashworth 3 3 ef ef       6  
Wayne Carter 1' 2 3 2'       8 2 Ben Wilson x 0 r 1       1  
1 57.4 4-2 4-2 Schøtt, S.Wilson, Pijper, Birkinshaw
2 60.1 3-3 7-5 Ashworth, Campbell, Carter, B.Wilson(f)
3 58.4 4-2 11-7 Schlein, Moore, Carr, Smith(fx)
4 58.9 3-3 14-10 Compton, Carter, Karlsson, B.Wilson
5 57.9 3-3 17-13 Schlein, S.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Carr
6 58.6 5-1 22-14 Schøtt, Pijper, Compton, B.Wilson(r)
7 60.8 3-3 25-17 Ashworth, Campbell, Karlsson, Moore(2 mins), Smith(fx)
8 61.6 5-1 30-18 Carter, Pijper, S.Wilson(t/s), Ashworth(ef)
9 60.2 5-1 35-19 Schlein, Carr, B.Wilson, Compton(f)
10 60.1 5-1 40-20 Schøtt, Pijper, Moore, Smith
11 58.6 4-2 44-22 Karlsson, S.Wilson, Campbell, Birkinshaw
12 60.1 5-1 49-23 Carr, Carter, Moore(t/s), Smith
13 58.1 5-1 54-24 Karlsson, Schøtt, S.Wilson, Compton
14 58.3 3-3 57-27 Moore, Schlein, Campbell, Ashworth(ef)
15 58.3 5-1 62-28 Schøtt, Karlsson, S.Wilson, Moore

Rain before and during the meeting and a spate of mechanical problems left the Tigers with one gigantic task in the home leg if they are to claim the bonus point. Rory Schlein starred for the Monarchs dropping his only point to Andy Moore in heat 14.

Thursday 8th May: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 47   Coventry 'Victor Chandler' Bees 43  
Sean Wilson (c) x2 1' 3 1 0     5 1 Billy Hamill (c) 3 3 3 2 3 1'   15 1
James Birkinshaw 1' 2 3 1       7 1 Jason Bunyan 0 1 2 1'       4 1
Scott Smith 1' 2 1 3       7 1 Ryan Fisher 3 2 fx         5  
Andy Moore 2 0 0 1'       3 1 Stuart Robson 0 fx 2 3       5 2
André Compton 2 3 3 0 3     11   Billy Janniro 3 3 2' 2' 2     12 2
Ricky Ashworth 2 3 1 0 2     8   Scott James 1 0 0         1  
Ben Wilson 2' 1' 1 2'       6 3 Richard Hall ef 0 0 1 0     1  
1 62.1 3-3 3-3 Hamill, Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Bunyan, S.Wilson(x 2mins)
2 64.0 5-1 8-4 Ashworth, B.Wilson, James, Hall(ef)
3 62.0 3-3 11-7 Fisher, Moore, Smith, Robson
4 62.5 3-3 14-10 Janniro, Compton, B.Wilson, Hall
5 61.8 2-4 16-14 Hammill, Smith, Bunyan, Moore
6 61.8 3-3 19-17 Janniro, Birkinshaw, S.Wilson, James
7 60.8 4-2 23-19 Compton, Fisher, Ashworth, Robson(fx)
8 63.3 4-2 27-21 Birkinshaw, Bunyan, B.Wilson, Hall
9 62.1 1-5 28-26 Hamill(t/s), Janniro, Smith, Moore
10 61.9 4-2 32-28 S.Wilson, Robson, Birkinshaw, Fisher
11 61.4 3-3 35-31 Compton, Hamill, Bunyan, Ashworth
12 64.8 5-1 40-32 Smith, B.Wilson, Hall, James
13 62.5 1-5 41-37 Hamill, Janniro, S.Wilson, Compton
14 63.6 3-3 44-40 Robson, Ashworth, Moore, Hall
15 62.4 3-3 47-43 Compton, Janniro, Hamill, S.Wilson

The home record survives but it was a close call with the deciding factor being Ryan Fishers hand injury which ruled him out of heat 12. The Bee's top 5 all attacked the track and it took exceptional rides from André to beat any of the Yanks.

Ben's paid 9 was a trifle flattering as he only beat the Bee's reserves, while Ricky worked hard for his points and led Billy Hamill for over 2 laps in heat 1. He never looked quite as comfortable after he fell avoiding the stricken Stuart Robson in heat 7.

Andy Moore made one good start, but was passed easily by Jason Bunyan in heat 5. Scud couldn't live with the Yanks but generally managed to outpace the Bee's second strings, and James looked on the pace on his return to the saddle.

Sean was never at the races following a heat 1 exclusion under the 2 minute time allowance and I can only assume he had mechanical problems. André on the other hand was in magnificent form beating all three Yanks (Billy Hamill twice!) and only suffering one blip after a poor start in heat 13. He also recorded the fastest time of the season getting within a fraction of his own track record.

Sunday 4th May: Conference League
Carmarthen Dragons 37   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 52  
Dean Felton x 3 2 1 3 1 0 10   Richard Hall 2 r 2 3 2' 2'   11 2
David Gough 3 2 1' 2 r     8 1 Benji Compton r 1' 3 3 1     8 2
Craig Taylor rider replacement (8)   David Speight rider replacement (7) (1)
Danny Hodgson 1' 0 1' 1 0     3 2 Luke Priest 3 1 3 2 2     11  
Matthew Cross 1' 2 2 2 0 3 1 11 1 Ben Wilson 3 3 3 2' 3 3   17 1
Darren Hatton 3 r r         3   Jamie Rodgers 1' 0 0 0       1 1
Gordon Meakins 0 2 0         2   Michael Mitchell 2 0 1 1'       4 1

The Prowlers applied the pressure in the second half of this meeting to run out convincing winners with Ben Wilson recording a fine paid maximum and Luke Priest bagging two impressive heat wins on his way to an 11 point haul.

Thursday 1st May: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 45 87 Peterborough Pumas 45 93
Richard Hall 2 2 3 2' 0     9 1 Jason King 3 3 2 2 1 1'   12 1
Benji Compton 1' 1' 1 1       4 2 Adam Pryer rider replacement (3) (1)
David Speight ef 1' 0         1 1 Chris Schramm (c) 3 2 2 2' 2     11 1
Luke Priest 2 2 2 2       8   James Horton 1 0 0 f       1  
Ben Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3     15   Shane McCabe 2 3 1 1' x2     7 1
Jamie Rodgers 2 1 3 0 1 1'   8 1 Danny Norton 3 0 3 3 3     12  
Michael Mitchell ef 0 0         0   Ricky Dennis 1 1' 0 0       2 1
  Rob Painter 0 0           0  
1 64.3 3-3 3-3 King, Hall, Compton, Painter(r/r)
2 65.1 2-4 5-7 Norton, Rodgers, Dennis, Mitchell(ef)
3 65.6 2-4 7-11 Schramm, Priest, Horton, Speight(ef)
4 64.1 3-3 10-14 Wilson, McCabe, Dennis, Mitchell
5 65.6 3-3 13-17 King, Priest, Speight, Painter(r/r)
6 65.0 3-3 16-20 McCabe, Hall, Compton, Norton
7 64.7 4-2 20-22 Wilson, Schramm, Rodgers, Horton
8 65.8 4-2 24-24 Rodgers, King(r/r), Compton, Dennis
9 65.8 2-4 26-28 Norton, Priest, McCabe, Speight
10 66.4 4-2 30-30 Hall, Schramm, Compton, Horton
11 65.6 3-3 33-33 Wilson, King, McCabe(r/r), Rodgers
12 66.6 1-5 34-38 Norton, Schramm, Rodgers, Mitchell
13 65.5 5-1 39-39 Wilson, Hall, King, Dennis, McCabe(2mins)
14 67.1 3-3 42-42 Norton, Priest, Rodgers, Horton(f)
15 65.8 3-3 45-45 Wilson, Schramm, King, Hall

After last weeks quagmire we faced the other side of the coin tonight as the track was a tad on the dry side and lacking grip. Last years champions certainly took the fight to our kids and with a little more luck could have stolen a win, but they had to suffice with a draw and the bonus on the night.

Michael Mitchell never recovered from engine problems first time out, Jamie Rodgers looked good until mechanical problems hampered him too and David Speight will want to forget about tonight. Benji Compton was better value than his score suggests, while Luke Priest was probably flattered by his score. Richard Hall starred in the race of the night when he grafted his way from last to first in heat 10, but lost the thread when Chris Schramm shut the door on him in the decider and never got close enough for a second bite. Ben Wilson however displayed that he is a star at this level with a well deserved maximum.

Saturday 26th April: Premier League
Berwick Bandits 37   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 53  
Claus Kristensen 1 0 1 0 3     5   Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 1     13  
Peter Franc rider replacement (7)   James Birkinshaw rider replacement (5) (3)
Paul Bentley 1 1 3 3 2 3   13   Scott Smith 2' 2' 2 1 0     7 2
Adrian Rymel 0 0 3 2' 0     5 1 Andy Moore 3 2 3 0 1     9  
Mikal Makovsky 2 1 ef 2 2 2'   9 1 André Compton 3 2' 0 1       6 1
Rob Grant 0 0 1         1   Ricky Ashworth 2' 3 3 1' 1 3   13 2
Carlos Villar 2 1' ef 1' 0     4 2 Ben Wilson 1 0 2 0 2     5  
1 68.0 1-5 1-5 S.Wilson, Ashworth(r/r), Kristensen, Grant(r/r)
2 68.3 2-4 3-9 Ashworth, Villar, B.Wilson, Grant
3 67.3 1-5 4-14 Moore, Smith, Bentley, Rymel
4 66.7 3-3 7-17 Compton, Makovsky, Villar, B.Wilson
5 69.0 1-5 8-22 S.Wilson, Moore(r/r), Bentley, Rymel
6 68.5 1-5 9-27 Ashworth, Compton, Makovsy(t/s), Kristensen
7 68.9 1-5 10-32 Moore, Smith, Grant, Makovsky(ef)
8 67.4 3-3 13-35 Rymel(t/s), B.Wilson, Ashworth(res,r/r), Villar(ef)
9 68.2 5-1 18-36 Bentley, Rymel, Ashworth, Compton
10 67.8 4-2 22-38 Bentley(t/s), Smith, Kristensen, Moore
11 68.3 3-3 25-41 S.Wilson, Makovsky, Villar(res), B.Wilson(r/r)
12 68.8 2-4 27-45 Ashworth, Bentley, Smith, Villar
13 69.0 2-4 29-49 S.Wilson, Makovsky, Compton, Kristensen
14 68.4 3-3 32-52 Kristensen(t/s), B.Wilson, Moore, Rymel
15 68.0 5-1 37-53 Bentley, Makovsky, S.Wilson, Smith

The Tigers were 22 points ahead after 7 races thanks to some determined gating which invariably saw them leading into the first turn. The despirited Bandits did manage to claw their way back into the match and a heat 15 maximum win brought the deficit back under 20.

Heat details will follow soon...

Tuesday 22nd April: Conference League
Swindon 'Pro-Fit' Sprockets 50   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 39  
Ritchie Hawkins 3 3 3 3 3     15   Richard Hall 2 1 1' r 0     4 1
Darren Smith f 1 r r       1   Luke Priest 1' 0 2' 2       5 2
Malcolm Holloway (c) 3 3 1' 3 1     11 1 David Speight 1 1' 1' 2       5 2
Simon Dyminski 2' 2' 2 3       9 2 Benji Compton fx 2 2 fx       4  
Tommy Allen 3 3 3 r       9   Ben Wilson (c) 2 2 3 2 2     11  
Jack Gledhill fx fx 0 2'       2 1 Michael Mitchell 1 0 0 1       2  
Lee Smart 2 0 1 0       3   Jamie Rodgers 3 1' 3 1' ns     8 2
1 68.36 3-3 3-3 Hawkins, Hall, Priest, Smith(f)
2 73.86 2-4 5-7 Rodgers, Smart, Mitchell, Gledhill(fx)
3 72.34 5-1 10-8 Holloway, Dyminski, Speight, Compton(fx)
4 71.87 3-3 13-11 Allen, Wilson, Rodgers, Smart
5 71.49 5-1 18-12 Holloway, Dyminsky, Hall, Priest
6 69.17 4-2 22-14 Hawkins, Wilson, Smith, Mitchell
7 72.37 3-3 25-17 Allen, Compton, Speight, Gledhill(fx)
8 74.68 1-5 26-22 Rodgers, Priest, Smart, Smith(r)
9 69.77 3-3 29-25 Wilson, Dyminski, Holloway, Mitchell
10 68.62 3-3 32-28 Hawkins, Compton, Speight, Smith(r)
11 71.64 3-3 35-31 Allen, Priest, Hall, Gledhill
12 72.27 3-3 38-34 Holloway, Speight, Rodgers, Smart
13 68.05 3-2 41-36 Hawkins, Wilson, Allen(r), Hall(r)
14 72.55 5-1 46-37 Dyminski, Gledhill, Mitchell, Rodgers(f/ns), Compton(fx)
15 68.83 4-2 50-39 Hawkins, Wilson, Holloway, Hall

Michael Mitchell led heat 2 until falling on the final lap, and Benji was excluded for taking Malcolm Holloway off in heat 3. Tommy Allen dived past Ben to win heat 4, and Ritchie Hawkins rounded Ben off the 4th bend to win heat 6. The Sprockets maintained a 5 point lead until heat 14 when Jamie passed Simon Dyminski to take the lead. Benji attempted to do the same but got it horribly wrong and collected not only Simon, but his team mate as well, and to make things worse Jamie wasn't able to take his place in the rerun. A potential 1-5 became a 5-1 and the match points were dried and dusted.

Saturday 19th April: British League Cup
Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters 44 84 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 46 96
Paul Pickering (c) 3 x 1 1       5   Sean Wilson (c) 2 1 1' 0       4 1
Jon Armstrong 1 1 ef x2       2   James Birkinshaw rider replacement (5)  
Robbie Kessler 3 3 3 3 3     15   Scott Smith 1 1' 2' 1'       5 3
Alan Mogridge 2' 2' 1 fx       5 2 Andy Moore 0 2 3 3 2' 1   11 1
Jan Stæchmann 2 3 3 3 2'     13 1 André Compton 3 2' 2 2 0     9 1
Nick Simmons 2 f 0 1 x2 1   4   Ricky Ashworth 0 3 3 0 2 2 3 13  
Joe Cook f/ns                 Ben Wilson 1 1 0 2'       4 1
1   4-2 4-2 Pickering, S.Wilson, Armstrong, Ashworth(r/r)
2   2-4 6-6 Ashworth, Simmons, B.Wilson, Cook(f/ns)
3   5-1 11-7 Kessler, Mogridge, Smith, Moore
4   2-4 13-11 Compton, Stæchmann, B.Wilson, Simmons(f)
5   5-1 18-12 Kessler, Mogridge, S.Wilson, B.Wilson(r/r)
6   1-5 19-17 Ashworth, Compton, Armstrong, Pickering(x)
7   3-3 22-20 Stæchmann, Moore, Smith, Simmons
8   1-5 23-25 Moore(r/r), B.Wilson, Simmons, Armstrong(ef)
9   4-2 27-27 Kessler, Compton, Mogridge, Ashworth
10   1-5 28-32 Moore, Smith, Pickering, Armstrong(2mins)
11   3-3 31-35 Stæchmann, Ashworth, S.Wilson, Simmons(2mins)
12   3-3 34-38 Kessler, Ashworth, Smith, Cook(ns)
13   4-2 38-40 Stæchmann, Compton, Pickering, S.Wilson
14   1-5 39-45 Ashworth, Moore, Simmons, Mogridge(fx)
15   5-1 44-46 Kessler, Stæchmann, Moore, Compton

The powerful Potters contrived to gift this match to the Tigers who only managed 6 heat winners to the home sides 9. The Potters can point to a catalogue of injuries, machine problems and fallers which resulted in the Tigers wrapping up the match and bonus point by heat 14.

Joe Cook fell on the outside of the first turn in heat 2 and sustained a broken ankle. Nick Simmons slid off in heat 4, and the home skipper earned himself an exclusion from heat 6 when he rode the wrong way back to the start to remonstrate with the referee about the start gate. Jon Armstrong's bike expired when in a comfortable 2nd position in heat 8, Alan Mogridge nearly fell trying to pass André in heat 9, and Jon still didn't have his bike fixed in time for heat 10. Nick failed to be ready in time for heat 11, and wasn't available to replace Joe in heat 12 either. The final nail was when Alan Modridge demolished the fence to earn an exclusion in heat 14 and Robbie and Jan's maximum in the last race was too little, too late.

Sean's fitness is coming under question following another under par performance and it was left to the Tiger's second strings to dominate the minor placings. Our heat leaders managed just one heat win between them (André in heat 4) and accounted for only 18 of the teams 46 point total.

Best wishes for full and speedy recoveries go to both James Birkinshaw and Joe Cook.

Friday 18th April: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 50   Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters 40  
Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 3 3 3     13   Paul Pickering (c) 3 ef 3 x 0     6  
Andy Moore 1' 1' 3 2' 1     8 3 Jon Armstrong 0 2 0 0       2  
Scott Smith 1 3 2 3       9   Robbie Kessler 3 3 0 2       8  
James Birkinshaw r 1 1' f       2 1 Alan Mogridge 2' 1 1 1'       5 2
André Compton 2 0 1' 1       4 1 Jan Stæchmann 3 3 3 2 2 2   15  
Ricky Ashworth 3 2 2 1 3     11   Nick Simmons ef 0 0         0  
Ben Wilson 2' 0 1         3 1 Joe Cook 1 1 2 0       4  
1 63.3 3-3 3-3 Pickering, S.Wilson, Moore, Armstrong
2 64.1 5-1 8-4 Ashworth, B.Wilson, Cook, Simmons(ef)
3 63.5 1-5 9-9 Kessler, Mogridge, Smith, Birkinshaw(r)
4 63.7 2-4 11-13 Stæchmann, Compton, Cook, B.Wilson
5 62.9 4-2 15-15 Smith, Armstrong, Birkinshaw, Pickering(ef)
6 63.4 3-3 18-18 Sæchmann, Wilson, Moore, Simmons
7 63.4 2-4 20-22 Kessler, Ashworth, Mogridge, Compton
8 63.8 4-2 24-24 Moore, Cook, B.Wilson, Armstrong
9 63.1 3-3 27-27 Stæchmann, Smith, Birkinshaw, Simmons
10 63.0 5-1 32-28 S.Wilson, Moore, Mogridge, Kessler
11 63.4 3-3 35-31 Pickering, Ashworth, Compton, Armstrong
12 63.3 4-2 39-33 Smith, Kessler, Armstrong, Cook
13 63.1 4-2 43-35 S.Wilson, Stæchmann, Compton, Pickering(tps & 2mins)
14   3-3 46-38 Ashworth, Stæchmann, Mogridge, Birkinshaw(f)
15 62.8 4-2 50-40 S.Wilson, Stæchmann, Moore, Pickering

A more detailed analysis later, but the Tigers reversed the initial trend to run-out comfortable winners. They only provided 3 of the first 9 heat winners while all the Potters heat leaders were at that stage unbeaten. Sean responded with three convincing wins and with Scud beating Robbie in heat 12 it was André's turn to struggle tonight. One day they will all hit form together and that will be worth witnessing.

Heat 14 saw James Birkinshaw trying valiantly to scrounge a place off Moggo, but getting all out of shape on turn 1 on the last lap (possibly clipping Moggo's tyre?) which caused him to power full-tilt into the fence on the apex of turns 1 & 2 in one of the most horrific crashes I have seen. Early reports of cuts to both the inside and outside of his mouth seem to be the worst of his injuries and he can consider himself to be a very lucky bunny.

Monday 14th April: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 57   Newport GMB Mavericks 33  
Richard Hall 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Ben Warburton 2 f 1 0       3  
Luke Priest 1 2' 3 2'       8 2 David Minall 0 0 0         0  
David Speight 1 2' 3 2'       8 2 Matt Cambridge rider replacement (3)  
Benji Compton 3 3 ef 0       6   Karl Mason 2 0 1 1 1 3 2 10  
Ben Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3       12   Danny Warwick 1 1 2 2 1 1'   8 1
Michael Mitchell 2' 1 0 2       5 1 Nick Mallett 0 0 1' 0       1 1
Jamie Rodgers 3 2' 2' 3 0     10 2 Jamie Westacott 1 0 2 1' 0 1   5 1
1 64.7 4-2 4-2 Hall, Warburton, Priest, Minall
2 64.8 5-1 9-3 Rodgers, Mitchell, Westacott, Mallett
3 65.6 4-2 13-5 Compton, Mason, Speight, Warburton(r/r,f)
4 65.3 5-1 18-6 Wilson, Rodgers, Warwick, Westacott
5 66.4 5-1 23-7 Compton, Speight, Warburton, Minall
6 64.2 5-1 28-8 Hall, Priest, Warwick, Mallett
7 64.0 4-2 32-10 Wilson, Westacott(r/r), Mitchell, Mason
8 65.8 5-1 37-11 Priest, Rodgers, Mason(t/s), Minall
9 66.7 3-3 40-14 Speight, Warwick, Mallett, Compton(ef)
10 64.4 5-1 45-15 Hall, Priest, Mason, Warburton(t/s)
11 64.6 3-3 48-18 Wilson, Warwick(t/s), Westacott, Mitchell
12 66.1 5-1 53-19 Rodgers, Speight, Mason(r/r), Westacott
13 64.7 5-1 58-20 Wilson, Hall, Warwick, Mallett
14 67.0 2-4 60-24 Mason, Mitchell, Westacott, Compton
15 64.5 3-3 63-27 Hall, Mason, Warwick, Rodgers(f/rem)

The Mavericks were already short of Scott Pegler, but when the programmed 1 & 3 of Danny Hughes and Matt Cambridge also failed to show then it was always going to be a rout. Jamie missed out on his first maximum (only his 3rd match!) when he fell chasing Karl Mason in heat 15. Watch out for this youngster...

Sunday 13th April: Conference League
Peterborough 'H&M' Pumas 48   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 42  
Jason King 3 1' 3 0       7 1 Richard Hall 2 r 2 1 3 0   8  
Adam Pryer rider replacement     Benji Compton 1' 2 3 1'       7 2
Shane McCabe 3 3 x2 3       9   David Speight 0 0 1'         1 1
Chris Hunter 1 1 2 1' 1'     6 2 Luke Priest 2 1 1' 0       4 1
Daniel King r 3 3 2 2     10   Ben Wilson 3 3 3 2 3 3   17  
Danny Norton 3 2' r 2 1'     8 2 Jamie Rodgers r r 0 2       2  
James Horton 2' 2 r 2 f     6 1 Michael Mitchell 1 1 1         3  
Rob Painter 0 2 0         2    

The scoreline flatters the Prowlers who benefitted as the Pumas suffered a series of mechanical misfortunes. Ben Wilson picked up two lucky wins but then rode superbly and dropped his only point to Jason King after starting from a 15m handicap for tape touching.

Saturday 12th April: Premier League
Workington Comets 45   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 44  
Carl Stonehewer (c) 3 2' 2 1' 3 3   14 2 Sean Wilson (c) 1 1 0 0       2  
Kauko Niemenen 2' 0 0 2       4 1 James Birkinshaw 0 0 2 3       5  
Simon Stead 2 3 3 3 3 1   15   Scott Smith 3 3 0 2       8  
Aidan Collins 0 2' 1'         3 2 Andy Moore 1 2' 3 3 2     11 1
Kevin Little (g) 1 0 1'         2 1 André Compton 3 3 1 2 0     9  
Blair Scott 0 1 2 1 2     6   Ricky Ashworth 3 0 0 1'       4 1
Chris Collins 1 0 0         1   Ben Wilson 2' 2' 1' 0       5 3
1 66.4 5-1 5-1 Stonehewer, Niemenen, S.Wilson, Birkinshaw
2 68.2 1-5 6-6 Ashworth, B.Wilson, C.Collins, Scott
3 67.4 2-4 8-10 Smith, Stead, Moore, A.Collins
4 68.3 1-5 9-15 Compton, B.Wilson, Little, C.Collins
5 66.4 5-1 14-16 Stead, Stonehewer(t/s), S.Wilson, Birkinshaw
6   2-3 16-19 Compton, Stonehewer, Niemenen(f), Ashworth(ef)
7 68.0 1-5 17-24 Smith, Moore, Scott, Little
8 66.9 3-3 20-27 Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Niemenen
9 67.1 5-1 25-28 Stead, A.Collins, Compton, Ashworth
10 69.9 3-3 28-31 Moore, Niemenen, Stonehewer, Smith
11 67.9 3-3 31-34 Birkinshaw, Scott, Little, S.Wilson
12 67.5 3-3 34-37 Stead, Smith, Ashworth, C.Collins
13 67.2 4-2 38-39 Stonehewer, Compton, Scott, S.Wilson
14 67.0 3-3 41-42 Moore, Scott, A.Collins, B.Wilson
15 66.8 4-2 46-44 Stonehewer, Moore, Stead, Compton

One day the Tigers will all get it together on the same night. Congratulations to those who got stuck in including James, Scud and especially Andy...

Thursday 10th April: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 57 101 Kings Lynn 'Lillevilla' Stars 33 79
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 fx 1       7   Tomas Topinka 2 2 1 2 2     9  
Andy Moore 1 1 2 3       7   Steffen Mell r 0 1'         1 1
Scott Smith 2 3 2 3 1     11   Davey Watt 3 2 2 2 2     11  
James Birkinshaw 1' 1 1' 2'       5 3 Darren Mallett 0 0 1' 1       2 1
André Compton 3 3 3 3 3     15   Shane Parker 1 2 3 3 0 0   9  
Ricky Ashworth 3 1 0 3       7   James Brundle 1 0 0 0       1  
Ben Wilson 2' 2' 0 1       5 2 Trevor Harding 0 r 0         0  
1 63.6 4-2 4-2 S.Wilson, Topinka, Moore, Mell
2 65.8 5-1 9-3 Ashworth, B.Wilson, Brundle, Harding
3 64.8 3-3 12-6 Watt, Smith, Birkinshaw, Mallett
4 67.0 5-1 17-7 Compton, B.Wilson, Parker, Harding
5 66.0 4-2 21-9 Smith, Topinka, Birkinshaw, Mell
6 65.5 4-2 25-11 S.Wilson, Parker, Moore, Brundle
7 64.9 4-2 29-13 Compton, Watt, Ashworth, Mallett
8 64.9 2-4 31-17 Parker(t/s), Moore, Topinka(t/s), B.Wilson
9 65.7 3-3 34-20 Parker, Smith, Birkinshaw, Brundle
10 63.9 3-3 37-23 Moore, Watt, Mallett, S.Wilson(fx)
11 63.5 3-3 40-26 Compton, Topinka, Mell, Ashworth
12 65.0 4-2 44-28 Smith, Watt, B.Wilson, Brundle
13 63.4 4-2 48-30 Compton, Topinka, S.Wilson, Parker
14 65.8 5-1 53-31 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Mallett, Harding
15 63.7 4-2 57-33 Compton, Watt, Smith, Parker

The 'big' team news was that André has signed on to become a fully fledged Tiger, and he celebrated in fine style with an emphatic maximum.

Sean started his first match since October, and an operation on his shoulder with a blistering start which left Tomas Topinka in his wake. Ben Wilson powered around Trevor Harding on the first turn, and James Brundle on the second to follow Ricky home for a maximum in heat 2. He looked a completely different rider to the one Trevor beat in the Steel City Championship a few weeks ago, but there was even better to come. Heat 4 and André dived past Shane Parker on the first turn and blasted past young Ben out of turn 2. A lap later he realized that Ben was still a comfortable 2nd with Shane Parker stuck behind Trevor Harding back in 4th place. At this point André slowed to shepherd Ben home. Shane eventually found a way inside Trevor exiting turn 4 on the 3rd lap and set off after the Tigers. He caught Ben just as they were exiting the last turn but Ben placed himself perfectly to deny Shane the pass. A lovely ride from the rapidly developing youngster. Tomas Topinka and Scott Smith seemed to be welded together for the first lap of heat 5 riding on each others shoulders, but Scud made the decisive move on the outside of turn 1 on the second lap and was never troubled after that. At the back Steffen Mell held a slight advantage for a couple of laps until he gave James room to get through inside on the 3rd turn.

The impressive Davey Watt flew from the tapes in heat 7 but André cleverly switched back to the inside line exiting the 4th turn to relegate him. The Stars resorted to a double tac-sub in heat 8, pitching Shane and Tomas against Andy Moore and Ricky. Although Andy missed the start he was all over them like a rash, passing Tomas out of turn 2 on the second lap and pushing Shane all the way to the line. Davey Watt got another flyer in heat 10 but as Sean and Andy jostled for a way around him down the back straight they got in each others way with Sean taking a dramatic tumble and a compulsory exclusion. Andy made amends in the rerun taking the lead out of turn 2 and never looked like being caught.

Ben Wilson passed James Brundle in heat 12, and Tomas trapped to lead heat 13 briefly until André blasted past out of turn 2. Sean had to be content to follow Tomas home with Shane tailed off at the back. Davey Watt wasn't given a tac-sub ride in heat 14 so Darren and Trevor watched from a distance as James and Ricky extended the lead to 22 points. Scud got the well deserved nomination along with unbeaten André, and it was Scud who was first to show with a scorching start. A slight wobble on the 2nd turn allowed Andreé and Davey Watt through, but he recovered quickly enough to keep Shane at the back.

The racing wasn't quite as entertaining as last week but pretty good just the same. The Tigers heat-leaders accounted for 33 points, while the Star's top three hit 29. The Stars second-strings and reserves mustered 4 (paid 6) while the Tigers lesser-lights weighed in with an impressive 24 (paid 29) and our No.1 and No.7 were our joint lowest scorers!.

Wednesday 9th April: Conference League
Wimbledon 'GMB' Dons 55   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 35  
Wayne Barrett 2 2' 3 3 2' 2   14 2 Richard Hall 3 2 3 2 0 3   13  
Peter Collyer 1' 1 2' 2 1     7 2 Luke Priest f 0 1'         1 1
Gavin Hedge 3 3 2' 2 3 0   13 1 David Speight 0 0 0         0  
Jason Prynne rider replacement     Benji Compton 1 2 2 2       7  
Daniel Giffard 3 3 3 3 3     15   Ben Wilson 1' 1 f 3 1 1   7 1
Chris Hunt 2 1 0 1       4   Michael Mitchell r f 1         1  
Andre Cross 1' 0 1' f       2 2 Jamie Rodgers 3 2 0 1 0     6  

The fast starting Dons found the Prowlers race rusty and struggling on the tight Plough Lane circuit.

Saturday 5th April: Premier League
Kings Lynn Stars 46   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 44  
Tomas Topinka 3 3 3 1 1     11   Craig Watson (g) 2 2 2 2 2     10  
Steffen Mell 0 0 0         0   James Birkinshaw 1' 1' 2 1'       5 3
Davey Watt 2 3 1 3       9   Scott Smith 1 2 2 2       7  
Shane McCabe 0 0 0         0   Andy Moore 3 ef 1' 3       7 1
Shane Parker 3 3 3 3 3     15   André Compton (c) 2 x2 2' 0 0     4 1
James Brundle 1 1 fx f       2   Ricky Ashworth 2 2 1' 3 1' 1   10 2
Trevor Harding 3 1 3 0 0 2   9   Ben Wilson 0 0 1'         1 1
1 60.1 3-3 3-3 Topinka, Watson, Birkinshaw, Mell
2 61.1 4-2 7-5 Harding, Ashworth, Brundle, Wilson
3 61.7 2-4 9-9 Moore, Watt, Smith, McCabe
4 60.4 4-2 13-11 Parker, Compton, Harding, Wilson
5 60.5 3-3 16-14 Watt, Watson, Birkinshaw, McCabe
6 62.4 3-3 19-17 Topinka, Ashworth, Wilson, Mell, Compton(2mins)
7 61.8 4-2 23-19 Parker, Smith, Brundle, Moore(ef)
8 62.2 3-3 26-22 Harding, Birkinshaw, Ashworth, Mell
9 62.7 1-5 27-27 Ashworth, Compton, Watt, McCabe
10 61.1 3-3 30-30 Topinka, Smith, Moore, Harding
11 61.2 3-3 33-33 Parker, Watson, Birkinshaw, Brundle(fx)
12 62.0 3-3 36-36 Watt, Smith, Ashworth, Harding
13 61.4 4-2 40-38 Parker, Watson, Topinka, Compton
14 61.9 2-4 42-42 Moore, Harding, Ashworth, Brundle(f)
15 62.4 4-2 46-44 Parker, Watson, Topinka, Compton

The second-strings were the difference between the two sides, with James and Andy scoring 12 (paid 16) between them while Shane and Steffen failed to open their accounts. If any of the Tigers heat-leaders had managed a race win then the Tigers could have taken their first away points, but Tomas Topinka and Shane Parker were too much for them to handle.

Andy impressed with two race wins, and Ricky finished as top scorer after a couple of hairy rides to get the track sussed. The bonus point should be a doddle in the return leg on Thursday, but will Tomas and Shane be as dominant around Owlerton?

Thursday 3rd April: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 50   Belle Vue Aces 42  
Simon Stead (g) 3 2 3 3 2     13   Steve Johnston 2 1 3 2 0     8  
Andy Moore 0 1' 1 r       2 1 Jesper Olsen 1' r 2' 1'       4 3
Scott Smith 3 3 3 2 1'     12 1 Ales Dryml 2 2 1' 3 0     8 1
James Birkinshaw ef 2' 1 0       3 1 Carl Stonehewer 1' 1' 2 3 3     10 2
André Compton (c) 3 3 3 2'       11 1 Jason Lyons (c) ef 3 2 1 4'     10 1
Ricky Ashworth 3 0 x 1       4   James Wright 1 0 0         1  
Ben Wilson 2' 2' 0 1'       5 3 Danny Hughes 0 1 0         1  
1 62.5 3-3 3-3 Stead, Johnston, Olsen, Moore
2 65.8 5-1 8-4 Ashworth, Wilson, Wright, Hughes
3 63.4 3-3 11-7 Smith, Dryml, Stonehewer, Birkinshaw(ef)
4 62.4 5-1 16-8 Compton, Wilson, Hughes, Lyons(ef)
5 63.0 5-1 21-9 Smith, Birkinshaw, Johnston, Olsen(r)
6 62.5 3-3 24-12 Lyons, Stead, Moore, Wright
7 62.6 3-3 27-15 Compton, Dryml, Stonehewer, Ashworth
8 63.6 1-5 28-20 Johnston(t/s), Olsen, Moore, Wilson
9 63.0 4-2 32-22 Smith, Lyons, Birkinshaw, Wright
10 62.6 3-3 35-25 Stead, Stonehewer, Dryml, Moore
11 62.5 3-3 38-28 Compton, Johnston, Olsen, Ashworth(x)
12 62.7 3-3 41-31 Dryml, Smith, Wilson, Hughes
13 61.9 5-1 46-32 Stead, Compton, Lyons, Johnston
14 63.1 1-7 47-39 Stonehewer, Lyons, Ashworth, Birkinshaw
15 63.1 3-3 50-42 Stonehewer, Stead, Smith, Dryml

Oh how tasty the egg and chips were tonight!

Steady started the ball rolling in heat 1 as he moved under Jesper existing turn 2 on the first lap, and blasted around Johno on the same turn one lap later to claim an emphatic win. Young Ben rode a good steady line to keep James Wright on his back wheel in heat 2, and after a brilliant start Scud was the convicing winner of heat 3. André powered around Jason exiting turn 2 in heat 4 and was at least half a straight ahead when Jason's bike expired at the end of lap 3. Scud trapped and was gone in heat 5 leaving James to do it the hard way, which was inside Jesper on the 3rd turn on lap 1, and then reeling in Johno before blasting around him on the 2nd turn of lap 3.

Jason trapped and rode high and wide to deny Steady in heat 6, and while André trapped in heat 7, Stoney had to work at it before going around Ricky on the 3rd turn of lap2. Tac-sub Johno and Jesper were too much for slow starting Andy in heat 8, but even when Jason trapped in heat 9 it was so sweet to see Scud dive past him on the 3rd turn, and given another lap James would have had him too. The Workington team mates Steady and Stoney treated us to a four lap epic scrap in heat 10 which was only resolved by a supreme outside blast off the very last bend.

Heat 11 saw Ricky try just a little too hard to move Jesper over on the 3rd turn, but in the rerun André made a brilliant inside pass over Johno on the first turn of lap 4. Ales trapped to win heat 12, shit-hot when he gated, shit when he didn't. Johno must have relished the sight of the two second division riders passing him down the back straight in heat 13, and even GP'er Jason had no reply. Heat 14 saw Ricky lead for a lap, and James rounded Stoney out of turn 4 ahead of Golden Double Jason. Stoney moved James wide on the 1st turn to regain 2nd, but Jason took until the last turn of lap 3 to pass James. James attempted to dive back under Jason on the 3rd turn of the last lap, but Jason's momentum around the outside carried him past Ricky just as they reached the line. Steady and Stoney battled for the lead throughout heat 15 before Steady gifted it to his skipper on the last turn, while Scud recovered from his worst start of the night to move under Ales out of turn 2.

To summarise, the Tigers rode their guts out and certainly surprised me. Steady was brilliant (thankyou), André unbeaten (wow) and Scud was fantastic against the big boys. James must have enjoyed passing Johno, and Ricky had his moments, while Andy will have to work on his bikes and his gating. Ben was steady for another paid 8 score and will find himself demoting Andy if he carries on like this.

I'd love to know what the Belle Vue fans thought of all this? I'd prefer hot egg and chips to cold steak any day!

Saturday 29th March: Challenge
Stoke 'Easy Rider' Potters 52 97 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 38 83
Paul Pickering 2 3 3 1' 2'     11 2 Phil Morris 3 0 2 0 1     6  
Adam Allott 1' 0 0 0       1 1 Andy Moore ef 1 3 1' 2 0   7 1
Robbie Kessler 3 2' 1' 3       9 2 Scott Smith 2 2 2 1       7  
Alan Mogridge fx 3 2 3       8   James Birkinshaw 1' fx 1'         2 2
Jan Stæchmann 2' 3 3 2 3     13 1 André Compton 0 1' 0 3       4 1
Nick Simmons x 1 0 0       1   Ricky Ashworth 2 2 3 f       7  
Joe Cook 3 3 1 2'       9 1 Ben Wilson 1' 1 2' 1'       5 3
1   3-3 3-3 Morris, Pickering, Allott, Moore(ef)
2   3-3 6-6 Cook, Ashworth, Wilson, Simmons(x)
3   3-3 9-9 Kessler, Smith, Birkinshaw, Mogridge(fx)
4   5-1 14-10 Cook, Stæchmann, Wilson, Compton
5   5-1 19-11 Mogridge, Kessler, Moore, Morris
6   3-3 22-14 Pickering, Ashworth, Compton, Allott
7   4-2 26-16 Stæchmann, Smith, Simmons, Birkinshaw(fx)
8   1-5 27-21 Moore, Wilson, Cook, Allott
9   3-3 30-24 Ashworth, Mogridge, Kessler, Compton
10   3-3 33-27 Pickering, Smith, Birkinshaw, Allott
11   3-3 36-30 Stæchmann, Morris, Moore, Simmons
12   5-1 41-31 Kessler, Cook, Smith, Ashworth
13   3-3 44-34 Compton, Stæchmann, Pickering, Morris
14   3-3 47-37 Mogridge, Moore, Wilson, Simmons
15   5-1 52-38 Stæchmann, Pickering, Morris, Moore

After a heat 1 win Phil Morris failed to impress, while André was just the opposite having no end of problems before getting it all together in heat 13. Scud never set the track alight and dumped poor James into the fence yet again. Andy ground to a halt in heat 1 but recovered to do enough to head the scorechart, and Ricky was good value with some sharp starting. Sheffield fans wanting something positive to take from this meeting will be looking at the encouraging form of young Ben Wilson who ran out joint top scorer!

Well done to the Potters. I guess it won't be the last bit of silverware that end up down Loomer Road.

Thursday 27th March: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 55   Hull Vikings 35  
Peter Carr (g) 3 1 3 2' 3     12 1 Shaun Tacey 2 1 1 3 1 1   9  
Andy Moore 1 3 2 1       7   Lee Dicken 0 0 1 1       2  
Scott Smith x 3 3 ef       6   Paul Thorp 1 2 0 3       6  
James Birkinshaw 2 2' 2' 3       9 2 Neil Collins 3 1' 2 2 0     8 1
André Compton 3 3 2 3 2'     13 1 Garry Stead 2 2 3 ef       7  
Ricky Ashworth 3 0 0 1       4   Simon Cartwright 2 0 0 0       2  
Ben Wilson 1 1 0 2       4   Barrie Evans 0 0 1         1  
1 63.6 4-2 4-2 Carr, Tacey, Moore, Dicken
2 65.8 4-2 8-4 Ashworth, Cartwright, Wilson, Evans
3 66.0 2-4 10-8 Collins, Birkinshaw, Thorp(+15), Smith(x)
4 65.3 4-2 14-10 Compton, Stead, Wilson, Evans
5 65.8 5-1 19-11 Smith, Birkinshaw, Tacey, Dicken
6 65.4 4-2 23-13 Moore, Stead, Carr, Cartwright
7 65.0 3-3 26-16 Compton, Thorp, Collins, Ashworth
8 65.3 2-4 28-20 Stead(t/s), Moore, Dicken, Wilson
9 65.1 5-1 33-21 Smith, Birkinshaw, Tacey(t/s), Cartwright
10 64.0 4-2 37-23 Carr, Collins, Moore, Thorp
11 64.5 2-4 39-27 Tacey, Compton, Dicken, Ashworth
12 66.3 2-4 41-31 Thorp, Wilson, Evans, Smith(ef)
13 64.7 5-1 46-32 Compton, Carr, Tacey, Stead(ef)
14 65.9 4-2 50-34 Birkinshaw, Collins, Ashworth, Cartwright
15 65.0 5-1 55-35 Carr, Compton, Tacey, Collins

A suprisingly comfortable win against the Vikings who failed to live up to expectations. Paul Thorp was his usual Owlerton self including the obligatory tape infringement and a lack of interest if he didn't gate. Garry Stead suffered with machine problems and the remaining Vikings scorelines pretty well reflected their worth.

Andy Moore believes in giving value for money and gambled everything on a fence scraping last turn to demote Garry Stead in heat 6, and relegated Thorpy to last place in heat 10. Scud was harshly excluded when James lost power in heat 3, picked up a place when James ran into trouble in heat 5, fully deserved to win heat 9, and packed in while steets ahead in heat 12. James picked himself up from under the fence in heat 3 and passed and left Scud trailing in heat 5 until losing a chain on the very last turn. Paid 11 will do very nicely from a second string thank you very much. André was in sparking form aside from heat 11 when he let Shaun Tacey get the drop on him. Ricky was flying until his bike dramatically slowed while challenging Thorpy in heat 7, and although young Ben gated ahead of Thorpy in heat 12, and re-passed him briefly on the 3rd turn he had to follow him home, but on the whole a very encouraging display by the youngster. A big Sheffield thankyou to old favourite PC for guesting tonight and reminding us what we are missing. You're always welcome in S6.

All in all a much bigger advantage than was expected. Perhaps the sceptics may be proved wrong again but it all depends on every team member pulling his weight at all times. Stoke away at the weekend and Belle Vue home next week will help put things in perspective.

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Thursday 20th March: Steel City Championship
Adam Allott 1 3 3 3 2   12 5th
James Brundle 0 2 2 3 2   9  
Lee Hodgson 3 0 1 2 3   9 6th
Richard Hall 2 3 3 1 0   9  
Ben Wilson 3 1 3 3 3   13 3rd
Michael Mitchell 0 fx         0  
James Wright 2 1 1 ef 1   5  
Mark Thompson 1 1 0 0 0   2  
Trevor Harding 2 2 3 3 3   13 2nd
Jamie Rodgers 1 1 2 1 1   6  
Chris Collins 3 3 2 2 2   12 1ST
David Speight 0 2 1 2 2   7  
Lee Derbyshire fx 0 0 1 1   2  
Luke Priest 1 3 2 1 1   8