Sheffield Tigers v King’s Lynn Stars

SHEFFIELD took a big step towards play-off qualification with a significant 48-42 home win over King’s Lynn.

It was a result which moved the Tigers 13 points ahead of the Norfolk side who are their closest challengers outside the top four, and had to settle for just one league point on the night despite making a flying start to go 12-6 up.

Jack Holder and captain Kyle Howarth hit double figures for the Owlerton side with 12 and 10 points respectively, the latter producing a storming effort to win Heat 14, whilst recent Stars signing Nicolai Klindt racked up 13 and Thomas Jorgensen added 10+3.

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “It was a very, very difficult meeting. They came and gave us a real tough match, so fair play to them for that.

“I was always reasonably confident that when the gate change swing came that we could get some points on the board and turn things round which we did, but it was tough.

“We would’ve liked to have sent them home with nothing, but looking at the scorecard throughout the meeting, them going home with one point is probably fair – but tonight was all about us getting three points, which we managed.”

Stars boss Alex Brady said: “It does feel like a missed opportunity. We made some silly decisions and didn’t stick it in the dirt often enough, and getting fresh air was key tonight.

“I felt there were a couple of decisions that didn’t go our way, notably Heat 13 with Richard Lawson.

“Nicolai was a class above and (Josh) Pickering and Jorgensen were excellent too, while Richie (Worrall) was good value for his points, but we were lacking a little bit down at reserve.”

SHEFFIELD 48: Jack Holder 12, Kyle Howarth 10, Adam Ellis 8+1, Tobiasz Musielak 7+2, Connor Mountain 7+1, Ryan Sedgmen 4, Craig Cook r/r.
KING’S LYNN 42: Nicolai Klindt 13, Thomas Jorgensen 10+3, Josh Pickering 7+2, Richie Worrall 6+1, Richard Lawson 3, Frederik Jakobsen 3, Jason Edwards 0.

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Photo credit: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN