SHEFFIELD suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as they went down 58-32 at rivals Belle Vue.
It was a night to forget for the Tru Plant Tigers who managed just two race wins and who finished last in 11 of the 15 races.
The hosts stated their intentions in the opening exchanges, establishing a ten-point lead with a hat-trick of heat advantages.
Rising Star Connor Mountain stopped the rot in the fourth, but with Adam Ellis out at the back, the South Yorkshire side were unable to close the gap.
Three further heat advantages followed and the Tigers found themselves 30-12 down with seven gone.
From there, the Aces’ confidence grew and they eased to a 26-point victory - and team boss Simon Stead gave an honest assessment following defeat in Manchester.
“We were beaten fair and square and we were simply beaten by a much, much better team tonight,” he said.
“Credit where it’s due, we caught Belle Vue on a very, very good night and they caught us on a poor night.
“There was no lack of effort from the boys - they were all working hard with one another in the pits, all trying their best, but Belle Vue were just too strong for us on this occasion.
“I would like to say a big thank you to all of the Sheffield supporters who made the trip over the Pennines; trust me, we all share your disappointment after that one and I make a promise now that we will come back fighting and stronger for that.
“We’ve had other disappointments along the way this season and each time we’ve shown good character to come back next time and get the right result - now we need to make sure we do that again and it’s important we bounce back.”
Sheffield’s next team action sees them host reigning Champions Peterborough at Owlerton on Thursday, July 14 (7.30), with Round Three of the Premiership Pairs taking place at King’s Lynn’s Adrian Flux Arena this Thursday (July 7, 7.30).
BELLE VUE 58: Brady Kurtz 11+1, Matej Zagar 11, Charles Wright 10+1, Max Fricke 8+2, Norick Blodorn 7+1, Jye Etheridge 7, Tom Brennan 4+1.
