Saturday 11th July , Premier League
Berwick 44 Sheffield 46 S.Lamb 3 2 3 2 1 11 C.Stonehewer 2 3 3 3 2' 13+1 C.Taylor rider replacement T.Palmer 0 1 2 3 R.Madsen 1 0 2' 3 6+1 A.Compton 2 2 1 2 7 S.Robson 1 3 2 3 2 0 11 R.Aas 0 0 0 3 3 M.Dixon 3 3 1 0 7 S.Smith 1' 3 1 2' 1 3 11+2 W.Waite 0 1 x 0 1' 2+1 D.Keats 3 0 f 3 D.McAllan 1 x 0 1 S.Knott 2' 2 1' 0 1' 0 6+3 D.Meldrum 1' 3 2' 6+2
In a brilliant match with close racing, passing and re-passing, falls, exclusions and a new track record, even the Bandits supporters went home happy despite losing. Scott Smith bounced back from a very nasty tumble earlier in the match to grab a last heat 5-1 with Stoney to steal the match points, while Stoney set the new track record in heat 5. Derrol won the reserves heat, but took another bad tumble in heat 9 and could not continue. Rene did nothing until making the start and fending off Scott Robson in heat 14 to set up the last heat decider.
Friday 10th July , Premier League
Edinburgh 47 Sheffield 43 P.Carr 2 3 1 2 8 C.Stonehewer 3 3 2' 3 3 3 17+1 M.Andersson ef 2' 3 0 5+1 T.Palmer 1 0 2 1 4 K.Little 3 2 2' 3 2 12+1 A.Compton 2 2 3 2 0 9 R.Larsen x 1' 3 3 7+1 R.Aas 1' 1' 2 4+2 K.McKinna 3 3 2 1' 1' 10+2 S.Smith 1' 1 x 0 2+1 B.Scott 2 0 1 0 f 3 P.Taylor 0 f 0 0 S.Jones 1' f 1 2+1 S.Knott 3 2 0 1 1' 7+1
Heavy rain yet again plagued Sheffield's trip north of the boarder, although no-one told Carl Stonehewer that the track was slippery as he romped to an untroubled maximum. Scott Smith again failed to justify his heat leader status, and Paul Taylor, deputizing for Derrol Keats, failed to open his account.
Peter Carr was obviously troubled by his recent leg injury and Kenny McKinna also struggled but two good wins by Robert Larsen were vital for the Monarchs in the final analysis.
Thursday 9th July , 4TT
Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 21 Stoke Potters 15 A.Compton 0 ef 0 1 1 N.Collins 1 2 1 0 4 S.Smith 2 2 x 0 4 P.Pickering 0 0 3 3 6 R.Aas 3 0 1 2 6 J.Kosonen 2 0 0 2 C.Stonehewer 3 1 3 3 10 S.McDonald 0 1 0 1 T.Palmer M.Burrows 1 1 2 Hull Vikings 35 Peterborough Panthers 25 P.Thorp 3 3 3 3 12 J.Andersen 2 1 0 2 5 L.Dicken 1 3 2 2 8 N.Sadler 0 2 2 1 5 A.Grahame 1 3 2 2 8 B.Woodifield 1 1 2 x 4 P.Bentley 2 3 1 1 7 G.Cunningham 3 2 3 3 11 P.Lee D.HowePaul Thorp trapped to four impressive wins, but all the Vikings were on the ball and deserved the emphatic victory. Glenn Cunningham was my rider of the night with passes in all his races although the remaining Panthers gave him scant support. Mark Burrows was the entertainer from the Potters although fast starting Paul Pickering held on for two late race wins after moving from 1st to last in little more than 1 lap in his first race.
Stoney apart, who beat Chris Morton's 10 year-old track record in heat 1, the Tigers seemed to struggle with the grippy track and Andre in particular looked uncomfortable on the outside line he usually uses to great effect.
Thursday 2nd July , Premier League
Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 50 Berwick Bandits 40 C.Stonehewer 1 3 3 3 3 13 S.Lamb 2 3 2 1' 3 2 13+1 A.Compton 3 2' 3 2' 1 11+2 D.Meldrum 0 1 1 0 0 2 T.Palmer 0 2 3 0 5 P.Scully 3 2 1 2 1 0 9 S.Knott 2 0 ef 0 2 C.Taylor rider replacement (3+1) S.Smith 3 3 3 0 9 S.Robson 1' 1 2 tx 4+1 D.Keats ef 0 1 1 D.McAllan 1' 0 1' 2+2 R.Aas 3 0 1 3 2 9 R.Madsen 2 2 1' 2 0 1' 2 10+2
Only 3 race wins for the Bandits with Scott Lamb claiming 2, and Peter Scully the other. Scott Robson has a dislike of Sheffield after he sustained a bad injury in a Northern Riders meeting some years ago and he just went through the motions. Rene Madsen ran out of rides as Grenville Dicken made some strange tactical changes, but didn't manage a single win, while David's Meldrum and McAllan just made up the numbers.
Stoney nearly missed heat 1 with bike problems, emerging on Tommy's bike with seconds to spare. Tommy's poor form was explained when Carl trailed home in 3rd barely able to hold off David Meldrum. Carl made up for that with four superb wins including the fastest of the night in heat 13. Andre's superb Owlerton form continues with a confident and accomplished display with most of his points being earned from behind. The only points he dropped were in heat 15 when he just couldn't find a way around wide riding Scott Lamb. Andre becomes a heat leader now the green sheets come into force. Tommy is so inconsistent, and the fans were frustrated by his tactics in heat 5 when twice he passed David Meldrum on the outside of turn 2 only to allow David to go around him out of turn 4! After passing Scott Robson, Tommy inherited the win in heat 9 when Knotty blew his engine on the last lap. Steve was slow all night until he sprang to life in heat 9, but only for 3 laps! The green sheets see Steve down at reserve so hopefully he will sort out his equipment and regain some confidence. Scud rode 3 blistering races before running out of track off gate 4 in heat 13. Derrol was on borrowed equipment after blowing his engine in heat 2, and looked better on Tommy's bike than Carl's! Rene was flying when he made the starts, but so slow when he didn't. Hopefully he will not bottle it now the green sheets promote him to heat leader!
Friday 26th June, Premier League Cup
Berwick 46 (84) Sheffield 44 (96) S.Lamb 2 3 3 2 1 11 C.Stonehewer 3 3 2 3 3 2' 16+1 D.Meldrum 1' 3 0 0 0 4+1 A.Compton 0 0 1 1' 2+1 P.Scully 2' 2 3 2' r 9+2 T.Palmer 1 0 1 2 C.Taylor rider replacement S.Knott 0 2 1' 3+1 S.Robson 2 3 3 0 8 S.Smith 0 2 1 1 4 D.McAllan x 1 0 0 1 D.Keats 1 1' 0 0 2+1 R.Madsen 2 1' 1' 2 2' 3 2 13+3 R.Aas 3 3 3 2 1 3 15
A thunderstorm two hours before the start, and continuing rain throughout the meeting made for a very heavy track, and both teams should be congratulated for riding in such poor conditions. With only Stoney and Rene getting stuck in the Bandits pulled out a 10 point lead after heat 12. Carl then dominated the last three heats to preserve the aggregate win for the Tigers. With Glasgow drawing at Edinburgh it looks though as if the Tigers Cup run is over...
Thursday 25th June , Honda Cup
Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 53 (101) Newcastle 'Debmat' Diamonds 37 (78) C.Stonehewer 3 3 3 3 0 12 B.Werner 1 2 0 0 3 A.Compton 2' 2' 3 1 8+2 M.Hogg 0 0 0 0 T.Palmer 2 3 0 2 7 N.Pedersen 3 3 2 3 3 14 S.Knott 0 1 2 1' 4+1 S.Swales 1 ef 0 x 1 S.Smith 3 2 3 2' 1 11+1 J.Olsen 1 1 3 2 1 2' 10+1 D.Keats 1' 1' 1 2 5+2 J.Birkinshaw 3 0 1 1 3 8 R.Aas 2 2' 2' 0 6+2 J.Swales 0 0 1 1
Four machines for each team, 650cc Honda fourstroke engines burning unleaded fuel, and everyone was in with the same chance as everyone else. The bikes are heavier than Jawa's and GM's and are fitted with rev limiters to prevent them being over-reved, the reason so many Jawa and GM's blow up! With the machines so closely matched and the top speed within any reasonable riders capacity passing was at a premium. Outside moves were possible but it might take up to 2 laps to actually pull it off.
First pass came in heat 3 when Stuart Swales got alongside Steve Knott on the back straight and stole the inside line into the 3rd bend.
Heat 4 saw Scud wind it on around the outside and eventually made it past Rene out of the 4th turn on lap 3.
Heat 5 saw Brent Werner eventually successful in slipping inside Steve Knott out of turn 2 on the last lap.
Heat 8 and Andre also wound it all on around the outside and squeezed around Rene out of turn 2 on lap 3.
Heat 9 saw all 4 in line abreast into turn one. Tommy Palmer was the one who had to give way, after which he had too much ground to make up.
Heat 10 saw Nicki Pedersen slip inside Stuart Swales in turn 3 on lap 2. Andre Compton nearly rounded Stuart on lap 3 but couldn't make the outside line stick. Not to be outdone he changed tactics and passed him on the inside on the next lap.
Heat 13 saw Jesper Olsen right on Carl's tail for 3 laps waiting for Carl to move off the line and all the time Scud was trying valiantly around the outside. Turn one on the last lap saw Jesper try the wide line only for Scud to gleefully pass him on the inside.
Heat 14 and Steve Knott looked comfortable for the win until Stuart Swales took Derrol's leg from under him on the first corner. Derrol leads the re-run as James slips inside Steve Knott into turn 3 on the first lap. Chasing hard he repeats the move to pass Derrol on the last lap for a deserved last to first win.
Second Half final won by fast starting Nicki Pedersen from a hard chasing Andre Compton.
Shades of the past then with riders having to wind it up around the outside for a couple of laps before making a pass and defending the inside as number one priority. The only thing that really needs changing to make these bikes work is the track. Make the surface REALLY deep so that the track limits the optimum speed to one slower than the bikes are capable of and you will find some riders are better at coping with conditions than others.
Thursday 18th June , Premier League
Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 46 Reading 'Racers' 44 C.Stonehewer 3 3 2 ef 3 11 D.Mullett 2 3 3 2' 11+1 A.Compton 1 1 3 1' 6+1 K.Marsh 0 0 ef 1 0 1 T.Palmer 1' 1' 1 3+2 P.Kokko 3 3 3 3 3 2 17 S.Knott 2 2 0 1' 5+1 P.Morris rider replacement (3) S.Smith 2 2 2 1 7 L.Richardson 3 2 2' 3 3 1' 14+2 R.Aas 3 1' 2' 1' 2 2 0 11+3 J.Elkins 2 ef ns ef 2 P.Boast 1 1' 1' 3+2 I.Clark ns ef ns 0 ef 0
Reading heat leaders dominated proceedings by claiming 10 heat wins, but with no back up they could only manage 2 heat advantages. Track conditions were ideal for speed reflected by the three fastest times of the season, Carl winning heat one just 0.3 outside Chris Morton's 10 year old track record. Unfortunately this did not reflect in the quality of the racing with only Carl making passes. An Andre/Rene 5-1 in heat 8 saw the Tigers go 10 points ahead but this was cut back straight away by Lee and Petri (t/s).
Disaster for the Tigers when Carl pulled up leading heat 13 and suddenly Sheffield held a slender 2 point margin with only Carl able to trouble the Reading heat leaders. Lee in as r/r romped home in heat 14 and the nail biting finale was set. Carl who had just pulled out of his previous heat, and Rene who was top scorer but without beating any Reading heat leader all night faced the unbeaten Petri Kokko and impressive Lee Richardson. Petri once again flew from the start and defended the outside line as Carl tried to squeeze around the 4th bend. Switching to the inside Carl dived hard up the inside and swooped out to the fence looking for drive. Had Petri just a little more Owlerton experience he might have switched inside himself and made a race of it, but thankfully for Sheffield it was all over and the match points were safe.
The Reading reserves had terrible problems and Krister Marsh never looked like troubling the home boys. Their heat leaders were sharp from the gate and very fast, and with a little backup would have repeated last years win. Carl apart, the Sheffield boys could only mop up the few crumbs left, but to their credit they did just that. Scud seemed down on power and Tommy and Steve were both terrible. Rene did everything required of a reserve and Andre stormed away to win the all important heat 8. Peter Boast returned as replacement for Derrol and repeated Derrol's best score of the year without turning any heads. Some of the Sheffield lads might have found Robbie Kessler's presence on track for after the meeting testing a cause for some concern!
Monday 15th June 1998, Premier League
Exeter Falcons 61 Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 29 F.Smart 3 3 3 3 3 15 C.Stonehewer 2 3 2 3 0 0 10 G.Gordon 1 2' 3 r 6+1 A.Compton 0 0 1' 1 2+1 P.Jeffery 3 2 3 3 2' 13+1 T.Palmer 0 2 1 2 0 5 M.Simmonds 2' 1' 2' 3 8+3 S.Knott 1 1' 1' 1 1' 1 6+3 M.Coles 3 3 2 2' 10+1 S.Smith 1 1 0 1 2 5 R.Lobb 3 0 0 t 3 D.Keats r f 0 P.Oughton 2' 2' 0 2' 0 5+3 R.Aas 1 0 0 1
The SVR Falcons were all fired up for what is normally one of their toughest home fixtures of the season, but the Tigers turned out to be pussy cats. Frank Smart led the way with a stylish maximum and Paul Oughton took the eye with a lovely last bend pass of Scott Smith in heat 4.
Carl was the only Sheffield race winner while Scud found the grippy track too much for his broken wrist. Derrol tangled with Scud at the start of heat 6 and was stretchered off to hospital with more bruising to his cracked ribs and Rene had an poor night. More was expected of Tommy on one of his previous home tracks and Steve battled hard for little reward.
Thursday 11th June , Cup
Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 58 Stoke 'Signal Radio' Potters 32 C.Stonehewer 2' 3 1' 3 3 12+2 N.Collins 1 3 3 2 2 2 13 A.Compton 3 2' 2 2 1 10+1 M.Burrows rider replacement (4) T.Palmer 1' 2 1' 2' 6+3 D.Steen (g) 3 2 3 3 fx 0 11 S.Knott 2 fx 2 2' 6+1 P.Pickering 0 1 1' 0 1 3+1 S.Smith 3 3 3 1 10 R.Juul 2 1 0 1 0 4 D.Keats 2' f 1 3+1 D.Felton 1 0 0 ef 1 R.Aas 3 1 1' 3 3 11+1 K.Bagshaw 0 0 0 0 0
The track was in excellent condition until the first cloudburst which spoiled what could have been some interesting racing between the Tigers and Neil Collins and David Steen. David Peet inspected the track following heat 6 which was conducted in pouring rain, but following a slight delay for regrading the rain stopped and racing continued. A little more rain fell after heat 11 but the track coped well with the extra moisture and the Tigers and the Potters top 2 just got stuck in. Only 3 fallers all night, Derrol and Steve both sliding off attempting passes on turn 3 and David Steen trying too hard on turn 2 while easily leading in heat 12.
Potters used rider replacement for injured Mark Burrows and Glasgow's David Steen guested for the injured Martin Dixon. Brian Turner was intended to guest for Mark Blackwell and was in attendance but for some reason Stoke used Sheffield junior Karl Bagshaw instead.
Neil Collins was starting as slowly as ever but knew better lines than most of the home team. David Steen seems to enjoy his visits to Owlerton and was an excellent choice of guest. Paul Pickering was a disgrace only finishing ahead of novice Karl Bagshaw. Richard Juul seemed to be put off by the conditions after a good first ride and Dean Felton also only beat Karl Bagshaw.
Derrol rode with cracked ribs following Sundays crash at Newcastle and Scott Smith returned to the saddle a week earlier than advised following his terrible smash at Peterborough.
Stoney settled for the minor placings after a poor start in heat 10 and pushed Andre to within 0.9 of Chris Morton's 10 year old track record in the first heat. Andre understandably elected to ride sensibly as the track got wetter but that time in heat 1 must be yet another massive confidence booster. Tommy scored his points very cheaply while Steve never looked like winning a race. Scud (on a GM) looked sound making good starts and romping to 3 wins before defering to Neil Collins in heat 13. Derrol still doesn't have his home track sorted and Rene did a brilliant job from reserve once again.
The bonus point from the return match at Berwick will see Sheffield in the semi's. Scott Robson should make that more interesting !!
Sunday 7th June 1998, Premier League Cup
Newcastle Diamonds 45 Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 45 P.Bentley 2 3 3 2' 1 11+1 C.Stonehewer 3 2' 2 3 2 2 14+1 M.Hogg 0 x 0 A.Compton 1 1' 2 2' 2' 0 8+3 N.Pedersen 3 3 3 3 3 15 T.Palmer 1 2 2 2 f 7 S.Swales 2' f 1 3 6+1 S.Knott 0 1' 1' 0 1' 3+2 J.Olsen 1 3 1 3 1 9 S.Smith rider replacement (6+1) J.Birkinshaw 1' ef 1 0 0 2+1 D.Keats 0 1' 1+1 J.Swales 2 0 0 0 2 R.Aas 3 3 3 0 1 2 12
On a track pumped clear of water by hard working track staff Sheffield dominated the early proceedings with some very sharp gating. A 5-1 by Carl and Andre over Jesper Olsen in heat 11 put the Tigers 8 points up, but this was countered by a Pedersen & Bentley(ts) maximum in the very next race. Jesper and Carl then fought a brilliant 4 lap battle which just went the Newcastle skipper's way and Stuart Swales claimed his first win in heat 14 to leave the Tigers 2 in the lead. With Pedersen storming to a time just outside his own lap record ahead of Stoney it was left to Jesper to power around Andre on the third lap to force the draw.
Newcastle preserved their home record but with them requiring both the win and the bonus point to progress in the cup it was cold comfort for the Diamonds. The Tigers are however now well in the driving seat for a semi-final place.
Monday 8th June, Premier League
First off its absolutely amazing that this fixture went on - let alone was completed but it was a commendable decision by management and riders to give it a go. I heard that ALL of Sheffield's side wanted to ride and only Phil Morris in the Reading camp was enthusiastic. Persistent light rain had persisted all afternoon and continued into the meeting but it was never heavy and I suppose the riders could see enough to ride.
Sheffield were bolstered (on paper anyway) by the inclusion of Frank Smart with everyone expecting a tough match. Reading despite their apparent lack of enthusiasm off track certainly showed commendable spirit on track and the match was pretty good in the circumstances. For once many of the reruns went Reading's way after a rider had fallen. (There were six fallers on Reading's side and three on Sheffield's).
(Report by & thanks to Nick Dyer)
Reading 'Racers' 54 D Mullett 3 3 3 2' 1 12+1 J. Elkins 1 2' fx 2' 5+2 P. Kokko 3 1 1 3 8 P. Morris 2' fr 3 f 5+1 L. Richardson 3 3 3 3 3 15 K. Marsh 3 fr 3 1 2 9 I Clarke 0 fx fx 0 Sheffield 'Star' Tigers 35 C Stonehewer 2 3 2 f 1 2 10 A Compton 0 2' 1' ex 3+2 T Palmer 1 1' 0 2+1 S. Knott 0 2 1 3 F. Smart 2 xt 2 0 1 5 D Garrod 1' fr fr 1+1 R Aas 2 1' 1 2 2 3 0 11+1
Carl suffered problems with his last available engine and was forced to borrow bikes for his rides explaining his poor return. Frank Smart also returned a poor Smallmead display (virtually a Reading rider) but Tommy Palmer was a liabilty considering he is supposed to be a heat leader.
Lee Richardson was in supreme form for the Racers as he romped to an accomplished 5 ride maximum totally impervious to the conditions.
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