TIGERS SET UP ACES FINAL

SHEFFIELD steamrollered their way to the Premiership Grand Final with a massive 61-29 semi-final win over Wolverhampton.

The Tigers headed back to Owlerton with a four-point lead from the first leg and put the tie effectively beyond their opponents in the opening four races, by which time they had added ten points to their advantage.

All seven home riders won at least one race with Jack Holder leading the way on 11+2, whilst Adam Ellis and recent signing Lewis Kerr both scored 9+2 – with Rising Star reserve Connor Mountain (8+1) unbeaten from his first three rides.

Wolves were limited to just three race wins, two from skipper Sam Masters (6) whilst Ryan Douglas scored 7+1 as Sheffield roared to an aggregate victory of 108-72 to set up a Grand Final against Roses rivals Belle Vue.

Tigers manager Simon Stead said: “I’m just ever so proud. The lads have been absolutely phenomenal – they’ve been great to work with all season but they have really stepped it up in recent weeks.

“When you look down the scorecard and look at what they’re all doing, they’re all doing their bit.

“They’re all hungry for it and they deserve their place in the Grand Final.”

Masters said: “That was pretty embarrassing with the scoreline over the two legs.

“Sheffield were, obviously, the better team and we’ve lost to a really good team.

“I’m not going to stand here and make any excuses, we lost to a good team and that’s that, we’re gutted.”

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Photo credit: PHIL McGLYNN