Sheffield Tigers v Oxford Spires

Report

SHEFFIELD closed the gap at the top of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with maximum points from a 50-40 win over Oxford.

It was a third victory in the space of a week for the Tigers, who were taken down to the wire for the aggregate point before clinching it in Heat 15.

They required a 3-3 from that race and went slightly better as Chris Holder won the race whilst brother Jack passed Chris Harris for third place.

Chris kept up his strong Owlerton form with 14+2 whilst Jack scored 11+1 and Josh Pickering collected 12 as the home side covered Tai Woffinden’s injury absence with rider replacement.

Maciej Janowski scored 12+1 for the Spires and Harris added 10, but they are now only one point ahead of Leicester in the race for the top four.

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “Running rider replacement always puts a little bit of extra pressure on the team, but the lads responded well and they did a great job between them to score nine points covering Tai’s rides.

“All of the boys had at least one paid win so I was really pleased on that front.

“It’s been a really good week for us taking maximum points from three meetings in seven days, so let’s just keep plugging away and keep doing what we’re doing.”

Oxford manager Peter Schroeck said: “We were a bit unlucky to lose the aggregate point. Rohan (Tungate) has been fantastic this season, but mechanically he had issues today.

“Maciej was on it, despite it only being the second time he’s been to this track. He’s really got dialled in on the British tracks as this season has progressed and this meeting was further proof of that.

“The boys all battled today, down to the two lads at reserve who were so close to extra points at times. We gelled really well as a team and worked together. It was would have been nice to pick up a point but it wasn’t meant to be.”

SHEFFIELD 50: Chris Holder 14+2, Josh Pickering 12, Jack Holder 11+1, Kyle Howarth 5+1, Dan Gilkes 5+1, Jason Edwards 3, Tai Woffinden r/r.
OXFORD 40: Maciej Janowski 12+1, Chris Harris 10, Charles Wright 6+2, Erik Riss 6+1, Ashton Boughen 2+1, Rohan Tungate 2, Luke Killeen 2.
Sheffield win the aggregate point

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN