SHEFFIELD will bid to reach a third successive top-flight Grand Final when they go head-to-head with rivals Belle Vue at Owlerton on Thursday (September 19, 7.30pm).

Following their 51-39 defeat in the first leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final in Manchester on Monday, the Tru7 Group Tigers will need to overturn a 12 point deficit to achieve that feat - something which has only ever been done once at this stage since the induction of the play-off system.

But the reigning champions have been growing in confidence on home shale in recent weeks, winning by at least 20 points on each of their last three Owlerton outings.

They also created history last October by successfully coming from 18 points down on aggregate against Ipswich in the Grand Final to lift the league title.

And ever-positive fans’ favourite Josh Pickering insists he and his team-mates are fired up and ready to take it to the Aces in front of the Owlerton faithful.

“We know we have a job to do, we know it’s 12 points but that can be turned around in three races and that’s how we have to approach it,” Pickering said.

“We will go into Thursday night with the winning mindset and mentality that we’ve had all season long and I’m very sure that with our home support there that we can excel.

“Of late around Sheffield, we’ve been turning everyone over and in our last few meetings, it’s been by some quite big margins.

“We turned this lot over by 22 points a few weeks ago so in our minds, 12 points is nothing.

“We’ll all rally together, we’re all being very positive and we’re all determined to get the job done.”

A bumper crowd is expected at Owlerton with turnstiles open at 6pm on Thursday and admission is £23 adults, £21 concessions (over 65s and students - both with evidence), £1 kids (up to and including age 17) whilst all under-5s are admitted free of charge.

Supporters are reminded that Season Tickets are NOT valid for the play-offs.

Supporters are also reminded that the Carvery Restaurant, Panorama Suite and Snack Bar will all be open as usual.

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Chris Harris, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.
BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Ben Cook, Dan Bewley, Antti Vuolas, Jake Mulford.