TIGERS RUE BIG DECISIONS

SHEFFIELD manager Simon Stead was left frustrated by key decisions in the Grand Final which he believes cost his side the chance to win the Premiership title.

Stead’s Tigers topped the regular league standings before easing past Wolverhampton in the play-off semi-finals.

But they lost the first leg of the Final 51-39 at Belle Vue and were just unable to claw back that deficit at a packed Owlerton on Thursday, with both Adam Ellis and Tobiasz Musielak suffering disqualifications in much-debated on-track incidents.

Stead said: “I couldn’t have asked for anything more from the boys, they’ve given it absolutely everything.

“Unfortunately, the team have been robbed and the Sheffield supporters have been robbed of at least a grand finale in Heat 15 because it really could’ve gone down to that.

“I would’ve been quite happy seeing the lads battle it out for the win and I would’ve taken it on the chin at that point if we weren’t good enough.

“But I felt we were good enough and it’s just some poor decisions which have gone against us and cost us, which is a real shame.”

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES