Sheffield Tigers v King’s Lynn Stars

SHEFFIELD’S 43-35 win over King’s Lynn at Owlerton leaves them five points clear of the Stars in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership standings with both sides having four matches remaining.

The Tigers consolidated their position in the play-off zone as they recovered from an early six-point deficit, but the Stars held on for the aggregate point which could be important in their battle to overhaul Ipswich for fourth place.

The meeting was abandoned after Heat 13 as heavy rain moved into South Yorkshire, with Tigers skipper Josh Pickering having pulled off the ride of the night to pass Stars No.1 Max Fricke on the last bend of a re-started Heat 11.

The initial staging had left the visitors furious when Ben Cook was disqualified after a clash with home reserve Jye Etheridge.

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “It’s a shame we had to call it when we did because we’d just found our rhythm, we were on a bit of a roll and I fancied us to turn it around and get the aggregate point.

“Unfortunately, the rain got the better of us and we missed out by just two points in the end – but it was the right call.

“But still, it’s another home win on the board and I think that’s a very good result against a solid King’s Lynn team.”

King’s Lynn boss Rob Lyon said: “I thought we rode well tonight, and we were well in it up until the ridiculous decision in Heat 11, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.

“A point is better than nothing. We came here to get at least that, and obviously that decision was the turning point. It was an incredible decision.”

SHEFFIELD 43: Jason Doyle 9, Josh Pickering 9, Chris Holder 8, Anders Rowe 6+2, Leon Flint 5+1, Luke Killeen 5, Jye Etheridge 1.
KING’S LYNN 35: Max Fricke 10, Ben Cook 6+1, Jody Scott 6, Cooper Rushen 4, Jan Kvech 4, Jordan Jenkins 3, Chris Harris 2+1.
Abandoned after Heat 13 – rain – Result Stands
King’s Lynn win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN