SHEFFIELD return home from Norfolk pointless after a 58-34 Premier League defeat at King’s Lynn.

The Tigers never looked like taking anything from the meeting against the reigning League Champions and a lack of heat winners cost them dearly.

Josef Franc took the chequered flag twice in his 9+1 tally, but that was the only time a visiting rider tasted victory all evening.

The Tigers got off to the worst possible start conceding 5-1s in the opening three races and by the time seven races had been completed they trailed 31-11.

Cooper was then nominated for double-points as a tactical ride in heat 8 and although he couldn’t beat Linus Eklof to the chequered flag, the 5-3 he earned with team-mate Auty did momentarily reduce the arrears.

The visiting supporters did have something else to cheer when winter recruits Franc and Arlo Bugeja raced to a 4-2 in heat 9, but a home five-pointer in heat 10 made the score 41-21 with five races to go.

Ashworth went for double-points in heat 11, but it proved to be a complete disaster as he trailed in last and the ensuing Stars 4-2 just about ended any hopes the Tigers had of taking anything from the match.

In the final four races the Norfolk side further increased their advantage, although Franc and Richard Hall did salvage some pride with a 4-2 in heat 15.

KING’S LYNN 58: Kevin Doolan 17, Linus Eklof 12+3, Kozza Smith 11, Chris Schramm 7, Darren Mallett 6+2, Casper Wortmann 5, Joe Haines R/R
SHEFFIELD 34: Josef Franc 9+1, Paul Cooper 9, Ricky Ashworth 5, Richard Hall 5, Josh Auty 4+2, Hugh Skidmore 1, Arlo Bugeja 1