SHEFFIELD Tigers pulled off a brilliant 49-44 win at Redcar to kick-start their Premier Trophy campaign.

It was a solid all-round display from the Sheffield Window Centre-backed side with winter signing Josef Franc particularly impressive with 12.

And talented young Australian Hugh Skidmore was good value for his 10+1 haul which included the maximum return from a tactical ride to get Sheffield back in the meeting after a poor start.

And when Franc teamed up with skipper Ricky Ashworth for a 5-1 in Heat 13 it was game very much on – Josh Auty and Paul Cooper then effectively won the meeting with a maximum in the next.

Franc fittingly had the last word with a fine win in the last and the travelling Tigers fans were sent home happy.

Said Franc: “It’s a nice feeling to win away from home and I enjoyed it out there. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come for this team.”

REDCAR: Ben Wilson 12+1, Emiliano Sanchez 10+1, Gary Havelock 7, Maks Gregoric 5+1, Stuart Swales 4+1, Tomas Suchanek 3+2, Jan Gravesen 3+1.

SHEFFIELD: Josef Franc 12, Hugh Skidmore 10+1, Paul Cooper 8+2, Ricky Ashworth 7+1, Richard Hall 7, Josh Auty 4+2, Arlo Bugeja 1+1