Leicester Lions v Sheffield Tigers

Report

LEICESTER slammed Sheffield 56-34 to consolidate their position in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off places – and knock the Tigers off top spot in the process.

Skipper Max Fricke scored a six ride 18-point maximum for the Lions who overcame the loss of Luke Becker with serious back injures in a crash in Poland on Sunday to run up a big home victory.

They had beaten the Tigers by 18 points in the KO Cup last week but went even better this time, with the margin seeing the visitors drop to second in the table behind Ipswich on points difference.

Sam Masters (12+3), Ryan Douglas (11) and Kyle Howarth (9+3) all took extra rides in Becker’s absence to back up the imperious Fricke, whilst Sheffield were limited to just four race wins – two from guest Tom Brennan and two from reserve Justin Sedgmen. Josh Pickering top scored for the Tigers with 8+1.

Fricke said: “It was a really great night for the whole team.

“All the boys are working hard and I think we’re heading in the right direction.

“We’re spewing that we’re missing Luke, but I think that this was a good display to kind of do it for him and hopefully we can carry this form on throughout the season.”

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “The reality is that Leicester have been the better team the last two Mondays and we need to hold our hands up.

“They suffered a home defeat against Birmingham, which was unexpected, at the end of last month and look how they’ve responded to it – I need to look to my boys to do the same now.

“I don’t want to put too much importance on this result because we’ve had a really good start to the season and in the league we’ve been standing pretty strong.”

LEICESTER 56: Max Fricke 18, Sam Masters 12+3, Ryan Douglas 11, Kyle Howarth 9+3, Drew Kemp 6+1, Joe Thompson 0, Luke Becker r/r.
SHEFFIELD 34: Josh Pickering 8+1, Tom Brennan 7, Chris Holder 6, Justin Sedgmen 6, Leon Flint 5+1, Anders Rowe 2+1, Lewis Kerr 0.

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON