SHEFFIELD'S charge towards the Premier League play-offs gathered pace with an emphatic demolition of Stoke at Owlerton on Thursday.

Josh Auty's first meeting at No.1 was one to remember for the spectacular teenager as he scored a brilliant paid maximum, and three times got the better of the Potters' best rider Claus Vissing with some trademark overtaking moves.

But this was a strong all-round effort by the Window Centre Tigers, for whom all of their riders won at least one race - leaving Vissing as the Potters' only winner in Heat 4.

Tigers took complete control with two 5-1s and a 4-2 in the opening three heats, and both of Stoke's tactical moves resulted in second places with Auty foiling Vissing in Heat 6, and Josef Franc getting the better of Taylor Poole in Heat 12.

Tigers kept the pressure on right to the end with Auty and Ricky Ashworth heading Vissing home in Heat 13 whilst Richard Hall kept up his fine run of form with a third straight win in Heat 14.

And the last race was a thriller with Vissing making the start but both Auty and Hall made their way past the Dane in spectacular style to send the crowd home happy with yet another 5-1.

SHEFFIELD: Josh Auty 12+3, Richard Hall 12+1, Josef Franc 9+1, Hugh Skidmore 9, Ricky Ashworth 9, Michal Rajkowski 7+2, Simon Lambert 3.

STOKE: Claus Vissing 11, Lubos Tomicek 6+2, Taylor Poole 6, Ricky Wells 5+1, Lee Smart 4, Jan Graversen 1+1, Frank Facher 0.