SHEFFIELD Tigers brought the curtain down on their 2009 season with an entertaining 45-45 draw against a Leicester Lions Select side at Owlerton on Thursday.

Leicester's star turn was Russian Sergey Darkin, who carded three classy wins - including the race of the night when he fought off a terrific challenge from home captain Ricky Ashworth as the lead changed four times.

Tigers' teenager Josh Auty did his hopes of a recall next season a power of good with a superb performance (11-points), although he could do nothing to prevent Leicester from claiming a last-heat 5-1 to square the scores in an thrill-a-minute match.

TIGERS: J. Auty 11, B. Wilson 10+1, R. Ashworth 8,J. Parsons 5+2, C. Mills 4+1, S. Smith 4, T. Poole 1.

LEICESTER: S. Darkin 12, L. Complin 11+3, A. Compton 7, D. Howe 5+1, K. Jakobsen 5, S.Lambert 4, L. Priest 1