SHEFFIELD rose to the occasion to claim all three league points on offer against Leicester as they ran out 53-37 winners at Owlerton.
The Tigers defied the odds to beat their opponents, who have proved to be something of a bogey side in recent meetings, despite being without injured No.1 Jack Holder.
They opened with two 4-2s in the opening four races before back-to-back 5–1s saw them open up a 12 point lead on the night - as well as moving ahead on aggregate.
The visitors clawed their way back into contention though and the gap was reduced to just four points as the Lions claimed three advantages in the next five.
But just as they did in their two previous home outings, the Tigers came out after the interval in determined mood and executed another strong finish.
First, Chris Holder and Jye Etheridge combined for a 5-1 in Heat 12 before Josh Pickering and Anders Rowe scored a 4-2 in Heat 13.
Tigers thought they’d wrapped up all the points with a race to spare, but visiting Rising Star Joe Thompson had other ideas to take second as he came charging underneath Etheridge in the latter stages of Heat 14, making contact with the Tigers’ reserve’s front wheel, to set up a last heat decider for the aggregate point.
The visitors required a 5-1 to force a Super Heat and it was thought an anti-climatic finish had been provided when Ryan Douglas’ machine came to a halt on the opening lap.
But with Chris Holder away and gone, captain Josh Pickering then once again turned on the style as he reeled in Lions skipper Sam Masters for a fourth and final 5-1 of the night.
Team manager Simon Stead said: “That was for Jack that one!
“I was really proud of the team spirit, the determination that we showed because that was always going to be tough, no doubt about it.
“But we got our heads down, we focussed and we dug deep.
“I think we covered Jack as best we could, it’s not ideal but it’s virtually impossible to replace what Jack does here on a weekly basis.
“But everyone showed moments and I’m really proud of that result.”
Heat-leaders Chris Holder and Josh Pickering stepped up to the plate tremendously as they both scored 13 points apiece - and they were supported superbly by second strings Anders Rowe and Leon Flint who both secured three race wins apiece on their way to double figures each.
Jye Etheridge demonstrated more of his battling qualities in the Steel City whilst Rising Star Luke Killeen found things tough on a night where former Sheffield skipper Kyle Howarth, dubbed a potential trump card for the visitors, also had a night to forget as he failed to score before crashing out after flipping his bike off the start line.
The result moves the Tigers up to second in the standings as they now face a fortnight break before hosting King’s Lynn on Thursday, July 9 (7.30pm).
SHEFFIELD 53: Chris Holder 13+2, Josh Pickering 13+1, Leon Flint 11+1, Anders Rowe 10, Jye Etheridge 5+1, Luke Killeen 1+1, Jack Holder R/R. LEICESTER 37: Ryan Douglas 11, Joe Thompson 10, Sam Masters 8+1, Nick Morris 6+1, Drew Kemp 2+1, Kyle Howarth 0, Dan Thompson R/R. Sheffield win the aggregate point 94-86.
