SHEFFIELD snatched their first away win of the season with a simply stunning turnaround at Northampton on Thursday.

The odds looked stacked against the Tigers when they trailed by eight points after 11 races.

But four straight heat advantages after the final track grading break saw them complete the comeback as they ran out 48-42 winners.

With skipper Josh Pickering forced to miss the trip due to Polish league commitments, Sheffield knew they would need the remaining six to step up to the plate.

Vice-captain Chris Holder led the way as he stormed his way to five wins from six outings, combining with younger brother Jack for huge 5-1s in Heats 13 and 15 as he also hit double figures.

Anders Rowe chipped away to finish with eight points whilst Leon Flint was also solid in the middle order overall, starting and ending his night with a paid win.

The last of those saw him follow Jye Etheridge home in Heat 14 - the man brought in as a reserve switch who found an electric start out of nowhere from gate four to grab a vital result.

Rising Star Luke Killeen endured a tough first night back in the top flight since injury, but team manager Simon Stead was thrilled to taste victory on the road.

“I’m so pleased with the boys,” he said.

“It was a topsy-turvy meeting; we were always there-or-thereabouts and then we let it slip again in that mid-part which was disappointing.

“But we regrouped after Heat 11 in the interval, got our heads together and knew what we needed to do in the final few heats.

“They executed it perfectly so I can’t ask any more from them and hats off to the lads.

“A massive shoutout as well, the Sheffield supporters turned out in massive numbers and it was awesome to share that win with them at the end.”

Sheffield are back in action next Thursday (June 25, 7.30pm) when they host Leicester at Owlerton.

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R1
NORTHAMPTON 42: Nicolai Klindt 9+1, Kye Thomson 9+1, Jaimon Lidsey 7+1, Luke Harrison 6+2, Troy Batchelor 6, Jonas Jeppesen 3, Lewis Kerr 2.
SHEFFIELD 48: Chris Holder 16, Jack Holder 12+4, Anders Rowe 8+1, Leon Flint 7+2, Jye Etheridge 4, Luke Killeen 1, Josh Pickering R/R.

Photo credit: JEFF DAVIES

Watch the action from Heat 14 (courtesy of CLEAN CUT SPORTS)