SHEFFIELD will take a 20 point lead to Ipswich on Thursday (September 5, 7.30pm) in the Knockout Cup Final after a brilliant 55-35 first leg victory at Owlerton.
Jack Holder and Josh Pickering both went unbeaten from six rides as the Tru7 Group Tigers put themselves in a strong position ahead of the decider at Foxhall.
Just as they did seven nights previous against Belle Vue, Simon Stead’s side started superbly and raced into a 12 point lead with six 4-2s in the opening seven heats.
Jack Holder and Kyle Howarth were split from the gates in Heat One before Jason Edwards and Dan Gilkes managed a 4-2 in the re-run of the reserves race after Ipswich’s Rising Star Dan Thompson crashed out of the initial staging.
Pickering stormed to his first win of the night in Heat Three whilst Chris Holder eventually re-passed Witches’ guest Tom Brennan for third having originally been in second place until lifting on bend two.
Jack Holder was outgated by Thompson in Heat Four, but the Tigers’ No.1 steamed underneath the Ipswich youngster down the back straight to take the flag in the first shared race of the tie.
Pickering again hit the front early in Heat Five whilst Chris Holder was passed by guest Ipswich No.1 Jaimon Lidsey heading into lap two.
Jack Holder again made another opening lap back straight pass, this time to get by Adam Ellis whilst Howarth re-passed Jordan Jenkins for third.
Race of the night came along in Heat Seven. Chris Holder was away and gone from the tapes with Brennan comfortably in second. But a thrilling tussle for third was taking place behind. Danny King held the position for the visitors but was under immense pressure from Edwards who went wide on the final turn and passed the Ipswich captain on the line.
The Witches managed their first, and only, race win and advantage in Heat Eight when Keynan Rew and Dan Thompson gated on a 5-1 as they temporarily reduced the gap to eight.
But the Tigers instantly restored their 12 point lead when Pickering again blasted clear out front whilst Chris Holder forced his way by Ellis on Lap 2.
Four of the next five races were shared with Heat 12 another Tigers’ 5-1. Chris Holder made another quick getaway whilst Edwards rode superbly to fend off the challenge from King for second.
Heat 15 saw one final maximum from the Tigers as Jack Holder and Pickering eased to the front - the latter, finally, recording his first unbeaten night in the top-flight.
PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL, 1st leg SHEFFIELD 55: Jack Holder 18, Josh Pickering 17+1, Chris Holder 10+1, Jason Edwards 6+1, Kyle Howarth 3, Dan Gilkes 1, Tai Woffinden R/R. IPSWICH 35: Jaimon Lidsey 7, Keynan Rew 6+1, Tom Brennan 6, Adam Ellis 5+2, Dan Thompson 4+1, Danny King 4+1, Jordan Jenkins 3+1.
