Leicester Lions v Sheffield Tigers

Report

LEICESTER are through to a second successive ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Grand Final after an epic semi went right down to the wire against Sheffield.

The Lions won 47-43 on the night at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park for the narrowest of aggregate margins, 90-89, to set up a title showdown with Ipswich early next month.

The aggregate lead changed hands five times on a remarkable night of racing with Leicester losing a 5-1 in Heat 10 when Luke Becker shed a chain on the last lap, but they still moved five points ahead overall over the next two races.

The Tigers fought back with a stunning ride by Jack Holder to pass Max Fricke in Heat 13, and successive 4-2s meant they were just one point behind going into the decider.

But after a re-start when Ryan Douglas was brought down heading into the first bend, home skipper Fricke conjured a sensational start from the outside to get his team over the line.

Fricke top-scored with 12+1 whilst Kyle Howarth had a great night against his former club with nine. Holder and hard-working reserve Anders Rowe both scored 10 for the Tigers.

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “We got there, and I’d say it was deserved when I look back at the Luke Becker incident, which was a four-point swing when the chain went, and he rode very well tonight.

“So I think we just about deserved it, but credit to Sheffield, they wouldn’t go away and that’s what a play-off semi-final brings, and obviously I’m very glad we’re in the Final.

“I did call it before Heat 14 that Maciej Janowski would pop out and win it, and Jack (Holder) had passed Max in Heat 13 which is something we don’t normally see here.

“But normally if we have Max in Heat 15 around here and we need three points, I take it as a banker because he’s that good around here.

“I know the cheers went up on the last lap when he was going down the back straight and I don’t think Jack was catching him for a second time, but I was certainly waiting for him to cross that finish line! Then when he did the place went daft and we’re all happy.”

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF, SEMI-FINAL, 2nd LEG
LEICESTER 47: Max Fricke 12+1, Kyle Howarth 9, Ryan Douglas 8, Luke Becker 6+1, Sam Masters 6, Drew Kemp 6, Joe Thompson 0.
SHEFFIELD 43: Jack Holder 10, Anders Rowe 10, Josh Pickering 8+1, Maciej Janowski 6+1, Jye Etheridge 5+1, Chris Holder 4, Leon Flint 0.
Leicester win 90-89 on aggregate

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON