Sheffield Tigers v Oxford Spires

Report

CHAMPIONS Sheffield raced to a 49-41 win over Oxford in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership despite a stunning Spires debut from new signing Craig Cook.

The former British Champion racked up 16 points from six rides at reserve, including a Heat 15 victory over Jack Holder and Tai Woffinden.

But a 3-3 from that race was enough for the Tigers to secure the aggregate point as the home duo got the better of Rohan Tungate.

Woffinden led the way for the hosts with 12+1 whilst both Jack (11+2) and Chris (10) Holder were in double figures, and Tungate picked up ten for the visitors.

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “It did feel like we’d got it under control, but when they’ve got somebody like Craig going so well who they could essentially put in anywhere they wanted, that made it quite difficult to manage.

“So the fact that Craig has done what he’s done and we’ve still managed to come out on top and get the aggregate bonus point was everything that we needed.

“We knuckled down and with their strength in depth I thought everyone did their bit, and like I say it’s great that we’ve come out on top.”

SHEFFIELD 49: Tai Woffinden 12+1, Jack Holder 11+2, Chris Holder 10, Dan Gilkes 5+1, Kyle Howarth 5, Josh Pickering 4, Jason Edwards 2.
OXFORD 41: Craig Cook 16, Rohan Tungate 10, Erik Riss 7, Maciej Janowski 4, Chris Harris 3, Charles Wright 1+1, Ashton Boughen 0.
Sheffield won the aggregate point

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Photo credit: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN