SHEFFIELD Tigers picked up their fifth successive Premier League win to bolster their play-off hopes with a 47-43 result at Stoke on Saturday.

It was a solid all-round effort from the Sheffield Window Centre-backed side with Ricky Ashworth in stunning form on 13+1 and skipper Josef Franc notched 13.

But they had to wait until Heat 8 to take the lead for the first time in the meeting after Stoke started brightly.

Ricky Ashworth and Josh Auty extended the Tigers lead to six points with a comfortable 5-1 heat win in heat 13 to edge them closer to victory.

But Stoke hit back with a 4-2 in heat 14 as Lee Smart took victory from Richard Hall who took a vital second place ahead of Lubos Tomicek to leave the Tigers needing just a second place in the final heat which was duly gained as Franc and Ashworth team rode behind heat winner Facher.

Said Franc: "It's a nice feeling to win away from home and it certainly improves our league position. We're in a confident
mood."

STOKE: Frank Facher 10+1, Lubos Tomicek 10, Lee Smart 7+2, Taylor Poole 6+1, Ricky Wells 6+1, Jan Graversen 4+2, Claus Vissing R/R.

SHEFFIELD: Ricky Ashworth 13+1, Josef Franc 13, Josh Auty 8+1, Hugh Skidmore 6, Richard Hall 5+2, Tomas Suchanek 1, Simon Lambert 1.