TIGERS REACH CUP FINAL

SHEFFIELD set up a repeat of the 2023 Premiership KO Cup Final by defeating King’s Lynn 54-36 for an eight-point aggregate win.

The Tigers will again face holders Ipswich in the battle for the silverware after overturning a ten-point deficit from the first leg of their semi-final against the Stars.

The home heat-leaders all scored heavily, led by Chris Holder with 13+1 from five rides, whilst Jack Holder (11+1) and Kyle Howarth (7+4) combined for 5-1s in each of their three races together.

Rising Star Anders Rowe put in a superb display for the visitors, and his 11+1 score included a win over Tai Woffinden in Heat 4, whilst recent signing Jan Kvech impressed with eight, but the Tigers finally confirmed their progression in the penultimate race.

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “We struggled at King’s Lynn; they were much better than us on the night there and we knew what we needed to turn it around.

“Our home form is good though and if the lads carried on doing what they have been doing around Owlerton of late, I was always pretty confident we’d have enough to go through.

“The lads all rode hard for their points and collectively I thought we did really, really well.”

King’s Lynn manager Rob Lyon said: “I’d like to think things would have been different with our full one-to-seven, and it would be nice to compete on a level playing field if I’m honest.

“But guests sometimes work for you, sometimes they don’t, they worked for us on Monday (at Birmingham) and they haven’t tonight, and that’s just the way it goes.

“Anders was superb, he rode really well all night and I can’t fault him at all. He’s had probably his best meeting all season, and we were good in spells, but overall not quite enough.”

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Photo credit: CHARLOTTE FLANIGAN