ACES HOLD THEIR NERVE

BELLE Vue booked their place in the Premiership Grand Final with a 16-point aggregate victory over Roses rivals Sheffield.

But the Aces, who had won the away leg by 10 points on Monday were made to fight all the way on their own track with the Tigers taking the lead on the night on no fewer than four occasions.

The hosts, however, finished the meeting strongly and confirmed their qualification with a 5-1 from Charles Wright and Jye Etheridge in Heat 14 on their way to a 48-42 victory on the night.

Dan Bewley was outstanding with five straight wins after a last place in Heat 1, and his 15 points were backed up by Richie Worrall on 10 and reserve Etheridge on 9+1. Jack Holder again led the way for the Tigers with 13.

Aces skipper Steve Worrall said: “If we hadn’t brought that 10-point lead from Sheffield, then this would have been a much more stressful meeting.

“The Tigers rode very well, and we just couldn’t seem to gain an advantage until the final few races, so it just proves how vital every point can be.

“If we roll back time to a couple of months ago, morale was down and we were getting beaten at home, and to look at the team now just proves how far we’ve come.

“There was a sense of confidence in the team that we could finish the job we came here to do, and the atmosphere with all the fans cheering was just amazing.”

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “The boys gave it everything, and we’re really disappointed. We were up for it, and we just fell a little bit short.

“I felt at any stage if we could have really put a marker down and got consecutive 5-1s, it would have just started to snowball a bit. As it was, we probably ran out of steam a bit after a long track grade after Heat 11.

“The damage was done on Monday really, though, and in hindsight would we have been better calling it and running it another day, in more ideal track conditions?

“But it is what it is, and we have to take it on the chin. The club has done really well I believe, with a great set of lads, and for our first year in the Premiership there’s plenty to build on.”

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: IAN CHARLES