Belle Vue Aces v Sheffield Tigers

BELLE Vue lead the Premiership Grand Final by 12 points after an eventful first leg in Manchester on Monday.

Robert Lambert scored another stunning 15-point maximum for the Aces in their 51-39 win over Sheffield, who defended strongly on the night to remain in the hunt ahead of Thursday’s return at Owlerton.

The home side’s advantage came at the cost of two riders being withdrawn, as reserve Jye Etheridge crashed out in Heat 4 and then Charles Wright suffered concussion when he came to grief in Heat 9.

Lambert and skipper Brady Kurtz (10+3) combined for 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 for the home side, with Tigers skipper Kyle Howarth and reserve Justin Sedgmen replying in Heat 14 in a race where the Aces could only track one rider.

Tobiasz Musielak top-scored for the visitors with 8+1 although his night ended with a heavy crash in Heat 15 when he was looking to split Kurtz and Lambert.

Kurtz said: “We can certainly be happy with this result. If you’d have told us ahead of time we’d be taking a 12-point lead into Thursday we’d have gladly taken that

“We had to do it the hard way though. Being one rider down makes the job a little tougher, never mind two and of course we wish Jye and Charles all the best for a speedy recovery.

“Those last few heat advantages were absolutely crucial for us, and I think this margin has really boosted our confidence going into the Owlerton leg

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “It’s half-time, all to play for. It’s not a disaster by any stretch.

“I think we’ve been dealt a rough hand in a couple of heats, but it’s 12 points. I think it sets up the Final at Sheffield on Thursday really nicely.”

PREMIERSHIP GRAND FINAL, 1st leg
BELLE VUE 51: Robert Lambert 15, Brady Kurtz 10+3, Matej Zagar 10, Tom Brennan 7+1, Norick Blodorn 6, Charles Wright 3+1, Jye Etheridge 0.
SHEFFIELD 39: Tobiasz Musielak 8+1, Adam Ellis 8, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Justin Sedgmen 7+1, Kyle Howarth 4, Connor Mountain 3+1, Jack Holder 2.

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES