SHEFFIELD Tigers launch their Premier League campaign with an attractive fixture against Berwick Bandits at Owlerton on Thursday (7.45pm).

And Tigers owner Neil Machin has emphasised the importance of making a winning start after a disappointing and frustrating Premier Trophy programme.

He said: "This is where it all starts for us as far as I'm concerned. I'm gutted to be out of the Premier Trophy, but we need to put that behind us now the league is starting.

"We face a Berwick side who can get around our place and, of course, we go there on Saturday in the return. Two wins would be the dream start for us!"

Skipper Andre Compton will face younger brother Benji who has enjoyed a new lease of life since leaving Sheffield in the winter to join Berwick.

Michal Makovsky takes their number one slot and he's already shown his liking for Owlerton this season by winning heat one when guesting for Workington a fortnight ago.

They have a cosmopolitan line-up with riders experienced on the bigger tracks - that's why Tigers cannot afford to underestimate them.

TIGERS: Andre Compton, Ben Wilson, Ricky Ashworth, James Birkinshaw, Joel Parsons, James Cockle, Paul Cooper.
BERWICK: Michal Makovsky, Michael Coles, Jacek Rempala, Andreas Bergstrom, Stanislaw Burza, TBC, Benji Compton.