SHEFFIELD went down to an agonising defeat at Perry Barr on Sunday having appeared to hold control over the meeting.


The Tigers led by nine points with four heats to go and the home side had been reduced to four riders due to injuries - but the Brummies' strong heat-leader trio pulled them through.

Birmingham's first injury problem came in Heat 7 when ex-Tiger James Cockle fell under Joel Parsons' challenge and was withdrawn with soft tissue damage to his neck.

In the very next race Jack Roberts - riding a borrowed bike from Jason Lyons - fell heavily on the second bend, and the Tigers took full advantage with a 5-1.

Roberts took no further part due to a burn, and disaster struck for the home side in Heat 10 when, fielding only one rider, Piszcz crashed on turn two to hand Mark Lemon and Parsons a 5-0.

Piszcz did his best to make amends by doubling-up third place as a tactical substitute in Heat 12, and that 5-2 race result was crucial to the outcome of the meeting, although Tigers still appeared to be in the box seat with a six point advantage.

Piszcz combined with Craig Watson for maximum points in Heat 13 to keep the Brummies in with a shout, and the Pole took another crucial win in Heat 14.

Birmingham won the toss for Heat 15 gates, taking one and three, and Lyons and Piszcz successfully sandwiched Lemon and forced Ben Wilson wide to complete an amazing turnaround.

BIRMINGHAM: Tomasz Piszcz 15+2, Jason Lyons 15, Craig Watson 13+1, Jay Herne 3, Jack Roberts 0, James Cockle 0, Kyle Legault r/r.

SHEFFIELD: Mark Lemon 11, Ben Wilson 9+1, Joel Parsons 7+4, Paul Cooper 7+1, Ben Powell 5+3, Kyle Hughes 5, Ricky Ashworth r/r.