TIGERS SNATCH OPENING WIN

SHEFFIELD stars Adam Ellis and Jack Holder combined for a match-winning Heat 15 in Monday’s League Cup clash at Belle Vue.

The Tigers had gone into the meeting without winter signings Craig Cook (Covid) and Tobiasz Musielak (injured in Poland), but former Aces man Richie Worrall proved a good guest.

The visitors saw their early eight-point lead cut back by battling Belle Vue, who went into the last race two points up.

But Holder (13+1) and Ellis (13) got the better of home duo Charles Wright (10) and Brady Kurtz (9+1) for a 46-44 victory. Max Fricke had taken a tactical substitute ride and top-scored for the hosts with 10+1.

Sheffield co-promoter Damien Bates said: “The day didn’t get off to the best of starts with the news about Craig and Toby missing out, but the boys have shown fantastic character.

“Thankfully it doesn’t look too bad for both boys and they’ll be back soon, but in the meantime credit to the lads who did the business at Belle Vue. It’s a great result to start the season.”

Wright said: “I think this result really came down to gate positions; gates one and three were quite the favourable gates early on and it did play a part in Sheffield gaining such a lead.

“But we did well to fight back the way we did. There is a real fighting spirit in this team and we just lost out in Heat 15 which was very disappointing. There’s no reason we can’t go to Owlerton and do the exact same thing to them.”

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES