SHEFFIELD'S five-match winning run was ended with a 54-38 defeat by Birmingham at Perry Barr on Wednesday night.

Early race wins for Dakota North and Josef Franc gave Sheffield plenty of confidence as they held the lead after three heats, but Ricky Ashworth was eased out by Richard Sweetman in Heat 4 as the Brummies scored a 5-1 to go ahead.

Sweetman was joined at the front by Klaus Jakobsen, whose second appearance for the Brummies was much more impressive than the first, and the Dane was a winner again in Heat 8 as he and Justin Sedgmen banked maximum points again despite North’s strong challenge.

Ashworth kept the Tigers in the frame by holding off Aaron Summers in Heat 9 but the next race always looked crucial, and despite the visitors appearing to have made good starts, Sedgmen and Jason Lyons both powered through to put the home side eight points up.

When the gap went up to ten, Franc was nominated for double points in Heat 12 but a fast start from Summers limited Tigers to only a 5-3 race advantage – and then a superb pass by Sweetman on Josh Auty in the next race ensured Birmingham’s win.

And a 5-1 from Steve Johnston and Kyle Newman after excellent work on the first bend of Heat 14 made sure of maximum points for the solid-scoring home team.

BIRMINGHAM: Jason Lyons 12+1, Steve Johnston 9+1, Richard Sweetman 8+1, Kyle Newman 7+1, Aaron Summers 6+1, Justin Sedgmen 6+1, Klaus Jakobsen 6.

SHEFFIELD: Josh Auty 11, Josef Franc 10, Ricky Ashworth 6, Dakota North 5, Hugh Skidmore 2+1, Simon Lambert 2+1, Richard Hall 2.