SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers are just two matches away from winning the Premier League title after a stunning 60-35 demolition of the Isle of Wight at Owerton. Going into the meeting they were just seven-points down from the frst leg on he isand 48-hours earlier and they made no mistake on home shale. The 103-85 aggregate win means they have a level chance of lifting the league title when they face either King's Lynn or Rye House in a fortnight. Skipper Andre Compton was in his usual stunning form and he received good support from most of his side - including young Tai Woffinden who came in at reserve and put himself in the shop wndow again with a fine display. Chris Holder, who is destined for a career in the Elite League, was an impressive winner of the opening race for the visitors as he equalled Simon Stead's track record of 59.5 seconds. But the Pirtek-sponsored Sheffield side were in control throughout the night and were worthy winners. Pirtek Tigers co-promoter Neil Machin said: "I'm very proud of the lads, they all did a great job and I'm delighted to get through to the final." The home leg of the final will be on October 26. Next Thursday Tigers face Hull in the re-arranged Yorkshire Cup clash. TIGERS: Andre Compton 13+1, Kyle Legault 11+1, Tai Woffinden 9+2, Ricky Ashworth 9+1, Ben Wilson 8+2, Emilanio Sanchez 7+1, Paul Cooper 3+1. ISLE OF WIGHT: Chris Holder 13, Jason Bunyan 10+1, Krzystof Stojanowski 4, Jason Doyle 3, Andrew Bargh 2+1, Nick Simmons 2, Ray Morton 1. Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers are one match off reaching the first-ever Premier League Grand Final. They face Isle of Wight Islanders at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday night knowing a win by more than seven-points will give them a straight shootout over two legs with King's Lynn or Rye House for the championship. The first leg finished 50-43 in favour of the Islanders on Tuesday which leaves Sheffield slight favourites going into the biggest meeting of the season. Andre Compton and Emiliano Sanchez returned from injury and illness respectiveley on the island and have suffered no reaction so will both take their place tonight. Tai Woffinden is in at reserve for Sheffield and Andrew Bargh replaces Chris Johnson for the Islanders. The Islanders top five, meanwhile, are all capable of scoring points at Owlerton and this tie could go down to the last race if they perform to their true ability. "It's up to us to nake sure we're professional and make no mistake on the night," said Pirtek Tigers manager Reg Wilson. "We cannot afford any costly bike problems or anything like that. We did a good containing job at their place on Tuesday and it would be a shame to see that go to waste on our own track." TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Tai Woffinden. ISLE OF WIGHT: Chris Holder, Jason Bunyan, Ray Morton, Krzystof Stojanowski, Jason Doyle, Andrew Bargh, Nick Simmons. Read More...

SHEFFIELD Pirtek Tigers have kept their Premier League title hopes alive after a narrow 50-43 defeat at the Isle of Wight. The Owlerton side will start Thursday's home leg as clear favourites to make progress to the play-off final after keeping the enthusiastic Islanders at bay on their own circuit. Skipper Andre Compton returned from a shoulder innury and Emiliano Sanchez declared himself fit after recovering from a virus to boost the travelling squad. Tigers co-owner Neil Machin said: "It's really nicely poised for the return leg but I would say we hold a slight advantage after that result. "All the boys worked hard and I cannot fault any of them. We're looking good, but there is still a job to do when we face them at Owlerton and we need all our fans to get right behind us." ISLE OF WIGHT: Jason Doyle 14, Chris Holder 10+1, Ray Morton 9, Nick Simmons 7+2, Krzysztof Stojanowski 5+2, Jason Bunyan 5+1, Chris Johnson 0. TIGERS: Ben Wilson 10+2, Kyle Legault 9, Andre Compton 9, Emiliano Sanchez 8+2, Ricky Ashworth 3, Paul Cooper 3, Mark Thompson 1+1. Read More...

ANDRE Compton will ride through the pain barrier when Sheffield Pirtek Tigers go to the Isle of Wight int he first leg of their Premier League play-off semi-final (7.30pm). The Owlerton skipper has travelled with the team despite still suffering some discomfort from a shoulder injury. "The play-off is the only reason I am back on a bike," said Compton. "I know just how important these meetings are, we want to be through to the final and challenge for that league championship." Tigers have already won at Smallbrook once this season - but club owner Neil Machin is warning it will be tougher tonight. "They had some injury problems at the time," said Machin. "Now Ray Morton is back for them and he's flying, so this will be a very difficult meeting for us. "We have to go there with a positive attitude and try and keep the score as close as possible to bring back to our place for the second leg on Thursday." TIGERS: Ricky Ashworth, Ben Wilson, Emiliano Sanchez, Kyle Legault, Andre Compton, Paul Cooper, Mark Thompson. LIVE COVERAGE from Smallbrook on Pirtek Tigers ClubCall 09066 555 923 - calls 60p/min. Read More...

RICKY Ashworth and Ben Wilson secured the runners-up position for the Pirtek Tigers in Sunday's Premier League Pairs at Glasgow. Ashworth (8) and Wilson (13) qualified from Group A along with Newcastle (25), defeating King's Lynn on countback after both pairs had finished on 21 points. They were joined in the semi-finals by Group B qualifiers Somerset and Glasgow, and in the race against the Rebels Wilson managed to force Magnus Zetterstrom out to hold onto third place, Ashworth taking the win ahead of Emil Kramer. That put Sheffield into the Final, but Danny Bird made the start on this occasion - and although Ashworth took second place, Shane Parker held off Wilson for third to ensure victory for Glasgow. Newcastle beat Somerset in the consolation final for third place. Read More...

HOSTS Workington won the Premier Fours at Derwent Park on Saturday - with the Pirtek Tigers finishing on the rostrum in third place. Sheffield stormed through their group, dropping just four points in the eight races - and three of them came when skipper Andre Compton had mechanical failure in his first outing! Ricky Ashworth and Kyle Legault won both of their rides with Ben Wilson adding five points as Tigers went through along with King's Lynn - Rye House and Newcastle going home at that stage. But in the Final it was group B qualifiers Workington and Somerset who raced clear in the early stages, and it always looked like being a battle between them for the top prize. Tigers scored just four points from the first six races but then mounted a strong fightback to ease clear of King's Lynn and be just two points adrift of Somerset, for whom Magnus Zetterstrom rode through the whole meeting unbeaten. However, Workington clinched the Fours title in Heat 11 as after Rusty Harrison had tangled with Ashworth and been ruled out of the re-run, Alan Mogridge came in for his last-ever ride in speedway - and won it. Final Result: Workington 23, Somerset 21, Sheffield 16 (A.Compton 5, B.Wilson 4, K.Legault 4, R.Ashworth 3), King's Lynn 12. Read More...

SHEFFIELD skipper Andre Compton will return to lead his side in the Premier League Fours Championship at Workington on Saturday. Compton crashed out of the Premier League Riders’ Championship on his home track almost a fortnight ago and aggravated a shoulder injury. Tigers chief Neil Machin said: “Andre is desperate to ride for us in the business end of the season, it’s a measure of the man.” Read More...