Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers Match Reports 2003

Thursday 16th October: PL KO Cup final
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 47 91 IOW 'Wightlink' Islanders 46 94
Sean Wilson (c) 2 2 0 ef 3     7   Danny Bird (c) 3 fx 0 2' 1'     6 2
Ross Brady rider replacement (5) (2) Glen Phillips 1 1 1 1       4  
Ricky Ashworth 2 3 1' 2 0     8 1 Paul Pickering (g) 3 3 3 3       12  
Andy Moore 1' 2' 2 2 2     9 2 Sebastien Tressarieu f 1 1 3       5  
Brent Werner (g) 1' 0 2' 1       4 2 Adam Shields 3 3 6 3 2     17  
James Birkinshaw 0 3 2 2' 3 1'   11 2 Stephane Tressarieu 1 0 0 1 0     2  
Richard Hall 2' 2 1' 3 ef     8 2 Gary Phelps ef 0 0         0  
1 61.5 2-4 2-4 Bird, Wilson, Phillips, Birkinshaw(r/r)
2 62.8 5-1 7-5 Birkinshaw, Hall, Stephane Tressarieu, Phelps(ef)
3 61.6 3-3 10-8 Pickering, Ashworth, Moore, Sebastien Tressariu(f)
4 61.8 3-3 13-11 Shields, Hall, Werner, Phelps
5 60.5 5-1 18-12 Ashworth, Moore, Phillips, Bird(fx)
6 61.1 3-3 21-15 Shields, Wilson, Hall, Stephane Tressarieu
7 62.0 2-4 23-19 Pickering, Birkinshaw, Sebastien Tressarieu, Werner
8 62.2 5-1 28-20 Hall, Birkinshaw(r/r), Philips, Stephane Tressarieu
9 60.9 3-6 31-26 Shields(joker), Moore, Ashworth, Phelps
10 61.5 2-4 33-30 Pickering, Moore(r/r), Sebastien Tressarieu, Wilson
11 62.6 5-1 38-31 Birkinshaw, Werner, Phillips, Bird
12 61.5 2-4 40-35 Pickering, Ashworth, Stephane Tressarieu, Hall(ef)
13 62.0 1-5 41-40 Shields, Bird, Werner, Wilson(r)
14 62.1 3-3 44-43 Sebastien Tressarieu, Moore, Birkinshaw, Stephane Tressarieu
15 61.8 3-3 47-46 Wilson, Shields, Bird, Ashworth

Richard Hall and James Birkinshaw rode their bollocks off and fully deserved to have a hand on the KO Cup but sadly it was not to be. Brent may have been a saviour to us on our recent travels but unless Owlerton is almost under water he hasn't a chance here. Couple that with Sean running consecutive lasts and being unable to pass Seb Tressarieu for the odd point and another piece of silverware has gone adrift. Ah well. All the more to fight for next year!!

Monday 13th October: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 62 90 Wolverhampton 'Central Mortgages' Cubs 28 85
Richard Hall 3 3 3 1 2'     12 1 Glyn Taylor 2 3 3 3 2 0   13  
David Speight 1 1 2' 2'       6 2 Andrew Jackson 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 3 2 2' 3       10 1 Rob Finlow rider replacement (6)  
Luke Priest 2' 1' 3 2'       8 3 Jeremy Pestell 0 0 1 0       1  
Ben Wilson (c) 3 2 2 3 3     13   Matthew Wethers 2 2 ef 1 2 0 1 8  
Paul Cooper 3 1' 0 3       7 1 Lawrence Needs ef 0 1 1'       2 1
Gary Flint 2' 1 3 0       6 1 Jack Hargreaves 1 0 1 1       3  
  Tom Matlak 1 0           1  
1 64.2 4-2 4-2 Hall, Taylor, Speight, Jackson
2 65.5 5-1 9-3 Cooper, Flint, Hargreaves, Needs(ef)
3 awd 5-1 14-4 Compton, Priest(+15), Matlak, Pestell(fx)
4 65.4 4-2 18-6 Wilson, Wethers, Flint, Hargreaves
5 65.4 3-3 21-9 Taylor, Compton, Priest, Jackson
6 63.7 4-2 25-11 Hall, Wethers, Speight, Needs
7   3-3 28-14 Taylor, Wilson, Cooper, Pestell
8   5-1 33-15 Flint, Speight, Hargreaves, Jackson
9 67.0 5-1 38-16 Priest, Compton, Needs, Wethers(ef)
10 65.2 5-1 43-17 Hall, Speight, Pestell, Matlak
11 65.4 2-4 45-21 Taylor, Wilson, Wethers, Cooper
12 66.9 3-3 48-24 Compton, Wethers, Needs, Flint
13 64.8 4-2 52-26 Wilson, Taylor, Hall, Wethers
14 67.8 5-1 57-27 Cooper, Priest, Hargreaves, Pestell
15 65.0 5-1 54-35 Wilson, Hall, Wethers, Taylor

Monday 13th October: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 64 95 Rye House 'Elmside' Raiders 26 84
Richard Hall 3 3 3 3 3     15   Barrie Evans rider replacement (6) (1)
David Speight 1 2' 1' 1       5 2 James Cockle (c) 0 0 3 2 2 1   8  
Benji Compton 1 1' 3 3       8 1 Joel Parsons 2 2 3 ns       7  
Luke Priest 3 2 2' 2'       9 2 Michael Mitchell 0 2 0 0 1' 0   3 1
Ben Wilson (c) 3 3 3 2' 2'     13 2 James Theobold 0 0 0 1 0     1  
Paul Cooper 2' x x 3       5 1 Barry Birchatt 1 1 1' 1 1     5 1
Gary Flint 3 2' 2 2'       9 2 Harland Cook 0 1 0 0 1     2  
1 63.8 4-2 4-2 Hall, Parsons, Speight, Cockle
2 67.9 5-1 9-3 Flint, Cooper, Birchatt, Cook
3 66.1 4-2 13-5 Priest, Parsons, Compton, Mitchell
4 64.5 5-1 18-6 Wilson, Flint, Cook, Theobald(f)
5 66.2 3-3 21-9 Parsons, Priest, Compton, Cockle
6 63.7 5-1 26-10 Hall, Speight, Birchatt, Theobald
7 65.5 3-3 29-13 Wilson, Mitchell, Birchatt, Cooper(x), Parsons(f,ns)
8 66.2 3-3 32-16 Cockle, Flint, Speight, Mitchell
9 66.6 5-1 37-17 Compton, Priest, Birchatt, Theobald
10 63.3 4-2 41-19 Hall, Cockle, Speight, Mitchell
11   3-3 44-22 Wilson, Cockle, Mitchell, Cooper(x)
12 67.0 5-1 49-23 Compton, Flint, Birchatt, Cook
13 63.1 5-1 54-24 Hall, Wilson, Theobald, Cook
14 66.8 5-1 59-25 Cooper, Priest, Birchatt, Mitchell
15 63.5 5-1 64-26 Hall, Wilson, Cockle, Theobald

Thursday 9th October: OZCHEM Top Gun Championship
Mark ThompsonBoston 3 0 3 3 3 12 4th
Paul CooperSheffield 0 3 ef 2 ef 5 11th
John OliverBuxton 1 3 1 1 1 7 10th
Ben Wilson Sheffield 2 2 3 3 2 12 2nd
Paul Lee Mildenhall 3 3 3 3 3 15 1ST
Danny Norton Peterborough 0 2 2 2 2 8 8th
Darren MallettBoston 1 1 0 2 1 5 12th
Richard Hall Sheffield 2 3 3 3 2 13 3rd
Lee DerbyshireBuxton 2 2 2 1 2 9 6th
Benji Compton Sheffield 3 1 1 2 1 8 7th
David Speight Sheffield 0 2 0 0 fx 2 15th
Michael Mitchell Sheffield 1 r 1 1 0 3 14th
Chris Collins Buxton 3 1 2 1 3 10 5th
Luke Priest Sheffield ef fx       0 17th
Jonathan Bethell Buxton 1 0 2 0 0 3 13th
James Wright Buxton 2 1 1 0 3 7 9th
Ben Warburton (res)Sheffield     0 0 1 1 16th
1 63.7 Thompson, Wilson, Oliver, Cooper
2 62.5 Lee, Hall, Mallett(ef), Norton
3 66.4 Compton, Derbyshire, Mitchell, Speight(f/rem)
4 62.5 Collins, Wright, Bethell, Priest
5 63.5 Lee, Derbyshire, Collins, Thompson,
6 65.0 Cooper, Norton, Compton, Priest
7 66.7 Oliver, Speight, Mallett, Bethell
8 64.0 Hall, Wilson, Wright, Mitchell
9 64.6 Thompson, Norton, Wright, Speight
10 64.2 Lee, Bethell, Mitchell, Cooper(ef)
11 63.9 Hall, Derbyshire, Oliver, Warburton
12 65.0 Wilson, Collins, Compton, Mallett
13 63.4 Thompson Mallett, Mitchell, Warburton
14 64.8 Hall, Cooper, Collins, Speight
15 65.4 Lee, Compton, Oliver, Wright
16 65.4 Wilson, Norton, Derbyshire, Bethell
17 63.3 Thompson, Hall, Compton, Bethell
18 66.7 Wright, Derbyshire, Mallett, Cooper(ef)
19 65.4 Collins, Norton, Oliver, Mitchell
20 64.8 Lee, Wilson, Warburton(f/rem), Speight(fx)
semi 64.9 Thompson, Wilson, Collins, Derbyshire
final 63.0 Lee, Wilson, Hall, Thompson

Thursday 2nd October: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 86 Edinburgh 'Fulfilment Factory' Monarchs 32 94
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3     15   Frede Schott (c) 2 1' 1' 1       5 2
Ross Brady rider replacement (5) (1) Theo Pijper 1' 2 1 2 3 0   9 1
Ricky Ashworth 0 ef 2' 3       5 1 Peter Carr 3 r 0 1       4  
Andy Moore 2 3 2 3 2 2'   14 1 Magnus Karlsson 1 1 1 0       3  
Paul Pickering (g) 3 2' 3 2'       10 2 Rory Schlein 2 2 3 1 0 1   9  
James Birkinshaw 0 3 3 2' 2' 1'   11 3 Wayne Carter 0 0 0         0  
Richard Hall 2' r 1 0 x2     3 1 Matthew Wethers 1 1' 0         2 1
1 63.4 3-3 3-3 Wilson, Schott, Pijper, Birkinshaw(r/r)
2 63.1 5-1 8-4 Birkinshaw, Hall, Wethers, Carter
3 64.2 2-4 10-6 Carr, Moore, Karlsson, Ashworth
4 63.7 3-3 13-11 Pickering, Schlein, Wethers, Hall(f/rem, r)
5 63.8 3-3 16-14 Moore, Pijper, Schott, Ashworth(ef)
6 63.3 4-2 20-16 Wilson, Schlein, Hall(r/r), Carter
7 63.0 5-1 25-17 Birkinshaw, Pickering, Karlsson, Carr(r)
8 61.7 2-4 27-21 Schlein(t/s), Moore(r/r), Pijper, Hall
9 62.1 5-1 32-22 Moore, Ashworth, Schlein, Carter
10 62.8 5-1 37-23 Wilson, Birkinshaw(r/r), Karlsson, Carr
11 63.4 3-3 40-26 Pickering, Pijper, Schott, Hall(2 mins)
12 61.1 5-1 45-27 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Carr, Wethers
13 62.6 5-1 50-28 Wilson, Pickering, Schott, Schlein
14 62.8 3-3 53-31 Pijper(t/s), Moore, Birkinshaw, Karlsson
15 62.6 5-1 58-32 Wilson, Moore, Schlein, Pijper(+15, r)

Rory Schlein returned to his Conference League 'home' track intent on showing us what progress he's made. His first outing saw him elbow Paul Pickering out of his way into the first turn, but Pickers is on fire at the moment and soon put the young Aussie in his place. Heat 8 saw Rory trap first, and when Andy Moore tried the wide line out of turn 4 he found the door closed firmly in his face. Andy didn't make the same mistake next time out, and the pointless Ricky Ashworth redeemed himself with a glorious outside swoop on the very last bend. Paul Pickering made no bones about stitching Rory up on the first turn of heat 13, and then set out after Frede Schott whom he passed on the back straight on lap 2. Heat 15 saw Andy and Rory scrapping once again, and after two laps when there just wasn't enough room between Rory's back wheel and the fence Andy switched to a different tack. His tight line on the 1st and 2nd turns didn't quite achieve the objective, but Andy certainly made the inside of the 3rd turn pay (eat your heart out Peter Carr!) and it was a thoroughly pissed-off young Aussie who dumped his bike by the pit gate before storming off the track!

Sunday 28th September: Premier League Riders Championship
Michal MakovskyBerwick 1 2 2 0 1 6 11th
Shane ParkerKings Lynn 3 0 0 3 2 8 7th
Garry SteadHull 2 0 2 3 2 9 5th
Jan Stæchmann Stoke 0 f 1 2 0 3 14th
Craig Watson Newport 2 3 2 2 2 11 4th
Sean Wilson Sheffield 3 2 3 3 1 12 1ST
Chris HarrisTrelawny ef 2 3 1 3 9 6th
Joonas Kylmakorpi Arena Essex 1 1 1 0 3 6 10th
James GrievesGlasgow 0 0 0 0 0 0 16th
Mark Lemon Somerset 2 1 0 r 0 3 15th
Kenneth Bjerre Newcastle 1 3 0 2 1 7 8th
Adam Shields Isle of Wight 3 3 3 2 3 14 2nd
Andrew Appleton Reading 1 1 2 1 0 5 12th
Carl Stonehewer Workington 3 3 3 3 3 15 3rd
Paul Fry Swindon f 1 1 1 2 5 13th
Frede Schott Edinburgh 2 2 1 1 1 7 9th
1 61.4 Parker, Stead, Makovsky, Stæchmann
2 62.5 Wilson, Watson, Kylmakorpi, Harris(ef)
3 62.1 Shields, Lemon, Bjerre, Grieves
4 62.5 Stonehewer, Schott, Appleton, Fry(f)
5 61.5 Watson, Makovsky, Appleton, Grieves
6 61.4 Stonehewer, Wilson, Lemon, Parker
7 61.5 Bjerre, Harris, Fry, Stead
8 62.1 Shields, Schott, Kylmakorpi, Stæchmann
9 62.0 Wilson, Makovsky, Schott, Bjerre
10 62.1 Shields, Watson, Fry, Parker
11 62.9 Stonehewer, Stead, Kylmakorpi, Grieves
12 63.2 Harris, Appleton, Stæchmann, Lemon
13   Stonehewer, Shields, Harris, Makovsky
14 62.2 Parker, Bjerre, Appleton, Kylmakorpi
15 62.3 Stead, Watson, Schott, Lemon
16 62.3 Wilson, Fry, Stæchmann, Grieves
17 62.2 Kylmakorpi, Fry, Makovsky, Lemon
18 62.0 Harris, Parker, Schott, Grieves
19 61.7 Shields, Stead, Wilson, Appleton
20 62.8 Stonehewer, Watson, Bjerre, Stæchmann
semi 61.6 Wilson, Watson, Stead, Harris(f)
final 60.7 Wilson, Shields, Stonehewer, Watson

Racing in the early stages of this meeting was poor as the riders struggled on a grippy track. Carl Stonehewer was the pick of the bunch and rode unbeaten to qualify directly to the final. Adam Shields dropped just one point to Carl, and was involved in some of the best races of the night, especially a thrilling last bend pass of Garry Stead in heat 19 even though second place would have made no difference to the result. Sean chose gate one in the semi-final and nailed on of his best starts to make it into the final. Carl off gate one, and Adam off gate two had both previously beaten Sean, and when they gated ahead in the final it looked to be all over, but Sean swept around Carl out of turn two and exploited the wide open gap on the inside of turn 3 to draw level with Adam. Rubbing shoulders down the home straight Sean powered tight into turn 1 before drifting out to the fast line out of turn 2 and after that was able to pull steadily clear to win in the fastest time of the night.

Being made favourite by the bookmakers, coupled with home track advantage must have put a lot of extra pressure on Sean but he certainly rose to the occasion and having passed his two main rivals in the final he must surely be hailed a very worthy champion.

p.s. Lovely to see James Grieves in good health!

Thursday 25th September: British League Cup
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43   Eastbourne 'Cinque Ports Holidays' Eagles 47  
Sean Wilson (c) 2 3 1 3 3 3 3 18   Mark Loram 3 3 3 2 2     13  
Ross Brady 1' 0 1 0       2 1 Mark Burrows 0 0 2' 2'       4 2
Ricky Ashworth fx 2 3 2 2' 0   9 1 Dean Barker (c)   2 1' 0       3 1
Andy Moore 3 1' 1' 0 1'     6 3 Joonas Kylmakorpi 2 1' 2 3       8 1
André Compton rider replacement (6)   Adam Shields 2 3 3 1' 1'     10 2
James Birkinshaw 2' 0 1 2       5 1 Matt Read r 1' 2' 3 1 fx   7 2
Ben Wilson 3 0 0         3   Joel Parsons 1 1' x2 0       2 1
Richard Hall ef             0    
1 61.2 3-3 3-3 Loram, S.Wilson, Brady, Burrows
2 64.8 5-1 8-4 B.Wilson, Birkinshaw, Parsons, Read(f/rem, ret)
3 62.6 3-3 11-7 Moore, Kylmakorpi, Parsons, Ashworth(fx), (Barker not arrived)
4 61.7 3-3 14-10 S.Wilson(r/r), Shields, Read, B.Wilson, Parsons(2 mins)
5 60.6 3-3 17-13 Loram, Ashworth, Moore, Burrows
6 60.7 1-5 18-18 Shields, Read, S.Wilson, Brady
7 60.5 3-3 21-21 Ashworth(r/r), Barker, Kylmakorpi, Birkinshaw
8 62.6 1-5 22-26 Read, Burrows, Brady, B.Wilson
9 60.3 3-3 25-29 Shields, Ashworth, Moore, Parsons (= track record!)
10 60.2 3-3 28-32 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Barker, Brady (new track record!!)
11 60.0 1-5 29-37 Loram, Burrows, Birkinshaw, Hall(r/r, ef) (NEW track record!!!)
12 60.9 5-1 34-38 S.Wilson(t/s), Ashworth, Read, Barker
13 60.4 3-3 37-41 S.Wilson, Loram, Shields, Moore(r/r)
14 awd 3-3 40-44 Kylmakorpi, Birkinshaw, Moore, Read(fx)
15 61.0 3-3 43-47 S.Wilson, Loram, Shields, Ashworth

Elite league Eastbourne 'weakened' their side to step down a division by introducing Wimbledon, Wolverhampton & Belle Vue's Mark Burrows, and the IOW's Owlerton specialist Adam Shields. The resulting squad achieved what Coventry and Belle Vue had previously failed to do and ended the Tigers 5 year, 125 match unbeaten home sequence.

To make it a real night for the record books Adam Shields first equalled the 4 year old track record of 60.3 secs in heat 9, then Sean Wilson made it 60.2 in heat 10, before Mark Loram scorched around in 60.0 in heat 11. What chance someone will go under 1 minute in the PLRC on Sunday?

Can someone explain to me why it was that Matt Read rode at No.4 the other week (13 Sept) with Joonas at reserve, but last night Matt was at reserve and Joonas at No.4? I know the Elite league sides make the rules up as they go along in this competition but surely thay can't juggle averages as well?

Friday 19th September: Premier League KO Cup
Arena Essex 55 96 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43 100
Joonas Kylmakorpi 2 2 3 2' 3     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 2 2 6 x 1   14  
Henning Bager 1' 1' 2 2'       6 3 Ross Brady f 0 3 0       3  
Kelvin Tatum 3 3 2 3       11   Ricky Ashworth 1 1' 1 2       5 1
Lee Herne 2' 1 1' 2       6 2 Andrew Moore 0 2 0 6       8  
Leigh Lanham 3 3 2 3 2'     13 1 Brent Werner (g) 2 3 3 2 0     10  
Jason King 2 0 1' 1 1'     5 2 James Birkinshaw 3 0 0 0       3  
Daniel King 1' 1 0         2 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0         0  
1 58.5 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Kylmakorpi, Bager, Brady(f)
2 61.1 3-3 6-6 Birkinshaw, J.King, D.King, B.Wilson
3 60.0 5-1 11-7 Tatum, Herne, Ashworth, Moore
4 60.0 4-2 15-9 Lanham, Werner, D.King, B.Wilson
5 60.3 4-2 19-11 Tatum, S.Wilson, Herne, Brady
6 59.0 3-3 22-14 Werner, Kylmakorpi, Bager, Birkinshaw(r)
7 59.4 3-3 25-17 Lanham, Moore, Ashworth, J.King
8 59.5 2-5 27-22 Brady, Bager, S.Wilson(G/d t/s), D.King
9 59.5 3-3 30-25 Werner, Tatum, Herne, Birkinshaw
10 59.6 5-1 35-26 Kylmakorpi, Bager, Ashworth, Moore
11 59.4 3-6 38-32 S.Wilson(joker), Lanham, J.King, Brady
12 60.6 4-2 42-34 Tatum, Ashworth, J.King, Birkinshaw
13 awd 5-2 47-36 Lanham, Kylmakorpi, Werner(joker), S.Wilson(x)
14 60.0 3-6 50-42 Moore(joker), Herne, J.King, B.Wilson
15 59.6 5-1 55-43 Kylmakorpi, Lanham, S.Wilson, Werner

Neil Machin paid tribute to the Tigers who all played their part in this semi-final victory against a well coordinated Hammers side who did their best to deny the Tigers the chance to defend the trophy they won last year. Andy Moore's crucial Golden victory in heat 14 sealed the win and Sean Wilson received the 'Rider of the night' trophy much to the displeasure of the home fans.

Thursday 18th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 101 Hull Vikings 32 79
Sean Wilson (c) 1 3 3 3 3 3   16   Paul Thorp 2 1 r 3 r     6  
Ross Brady 3 2' 1 1       7 1 Shaun Tacey 0 0 2' 2' 1     5 2
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 3 3 2'     12 3 Emil Kramer 1 3 3 2 2     11  
Andy Moore 3 3 2' 2' 3     13 2 Steve Bishop 0 0 0 2       2  
André Compton rider replacement (7) (2) Garry Stead (c) 1' 1 1 1       4 1
James Birkinshaw 3 2 0 1       6   Simon Cartwright 1 2 1' 0       4 1
Ben Wilson 2' 0 0 0       2 1 Barrie Evans 0 x2 0 0       0  
Richard Hall 1' 1           2 1  
1 62.1 4-2 4-2 Brady, Thorp, S.Wilson, Tacey
2 64.3 5-1 9-3 Birkinshaw, B.Wilson, Cartwright, Evans
3 60.4 5-1 14-4 Moore, Ashworth, Kramer, Bishop
4 61.1 3-3 17-7 S.Wilson(r/r), Cartwright, Stead, B.Wilson, Evans(2 mins)
5 61.1 5-1 22-8 Moore, Ashworth, Thorp, Tacey
6 61.2 5-1 27-9 S.Wilson, Brady, Stead, Evans
7 62.5 3-3 30-12 Kramer, Birkinshaw, Hall(r/r), Bishop
8 62.6 1-5 31-17 Kramer(t/s), Tacey, Brady, B.Wilson
9 61.3 5-1 36-18 Ashworth, Moore, Stead, Thorp(t/s, r)
10 62.0 4-2 40-20 S.Wilson, Kramer, Brady, Bishop
11 61.9 1-5 41-25 Thorp, Tacey, Hall, Birkinshaw
12 62.4 3-3 44-28 Ashworth, Kramer, Cartwright, B.Wilson
13 62.6 5-1 49-29 S.Wilson, Moore, Stead, Thorp(r)
14 62.9 4-2 53-31 Moore, Bishop, Birkinshaw, Evans
15 62.1 5-1 58-32 S.Wilson, Ashworth, Tacey, Cartwright

Emil Kramer was the pick of the bunch for the visitors. Garry Stead suffered an engine failure exiting the last bend in heat 4 and never looked on the pace after that. Steven Bishop was slow and scored his points when James Birkinshaw's bike expired on the last lap of heat 14. Shaun Tacey bounced back from two lasts and passed both Ben and Ross on the second lap of heat 8. Simon failed to impress, and the Conference League riders champion was way off the pace. Last but not least Paul Thorp, although if I wrote the way he rode I wouldn't be able to finish this sentence. He trapped (twice) in the lead in heat 11 to take a convincing victory, but in heats 9 and 13 when he didn't anticipate the start he just couldn't be bothered to do 4 laps.

Sean recovered from mechanical problems first time out to record 5 comfortable race wins, Ross held off Thorp to win heat 1 and Ricky claimed a fine paid maximum. James also suffered mechanically in his last ride, and after a flyer in heat 2 Ben looked to be tiring. Richard Hall will be a belter when he learns how to gate, but my rider of the night was Andy Moore who, on his way to a fine paid maximum, recorded the fastest time for some 4 years as he came within 0.1 secs of the track record in heat 3.

Friday 12th September: Premier League
Somerset Rebels 37 64 Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 53 116
Mark Lemon 2 2 r 1       5   Sean Wilson (c) 3 2' 3 3 2'     13 2
Matt Read 1' 1' 3 1 r     6 2 Ross Brady 0 3 2 1       6  
Mario Jirout r r 1' 1       2 1 Ricky Ashworth 2 3 3 2       10  
Graeme Gordon 3 1 2 2 2 1   11   Andrew Moore 1' 2' 2' 3       8 3
Glenn Cunningham 2 1 r 3 0     6   Brent Werner (g) 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1
Craig Branney 1 0 1'         2 1 James Birkinshaw 2 r 0 0       2  
Rob Finlow 3 1' 1         5 1 Ben Wilson 0 0 0 0       0  
1 57.09 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Lemon, Read, Brady
2 59.79 4-2 7-5 Finlow, Birkinshaw, Branney, B.Wilson
3 58.74 3-3 10-8 Gordon, Ashworth, Moore, Jirout(r)
4 57.57 3-3 13-11 Werner, Cunningham, Finlow, B.Wilson
5 58.16 1-5 14-16 Brady, S.Wilson, Gordon(f/rem), Jirout(ef)
6 58.09 3-3 17-19 Werner, Lemon, Read, Birkinshaw(r)
7 58.72 1-5 18-24 Ashworth, Moore, Cunningham, Branney
8 58.77 4-2 22-26 Read, Brady, Finlow, B.Wilson
9 58.37 3-3 25-29 Werner, Gordon, Jirout, Birkinshaw
10 58.10 1-5 26-34 Ashworth, Moore, Read, Lemon(r)
11 58.99 2-4 28-38 S.Wilson, Gordon, Brady, Cunningham(r)
12 58.53 4-2 32-40 Cunningham, Ashworth, Jirout, Birkinshaw
13 59.08 1-5 33-45 S.Wilson, Werner, Lemon, Cunningham
14 58.92 3-3 36-48 Moore, Gordon, Branney, B.Wilson
15 59.29 1-5 37-53 Werner, S.Wilson, Gordon, Read(r)

Thursday 11th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 55 88 Trelawny 'JAG' Tigers 34 91
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 ef 3 2 1   12   Matej Zagar 2 2 3 ef 3 3   13  
Ross Brady 1 3 2 2' x2     8 1 Steve Masters 0 ef ef         0  
Ricky Ashworth 3 3 3 1' 3 r   13 1 Pavel Ondrasik (c) 1 2 1 2 1     7  
Andy Moore 2' 1 2 0 3     8 1 Richard Wolff 0 0 0 0       0  
André Compton rider replacement (7) (1) Simon Stead (g) 2 fx 3 3 1 2'   11 1
James Birkinshaw 3 1 2 2'       8 1 Malcolm Holloway 0 2 0         2  
Richard Hall 2' 1 1' 1' 1     6 3 Tom Brown 1 0 fx         1  
1 61.9 4-2 4-2 Wilson, Zagar, Brady, Masters
2 62.8 5-1 9-3 Birkinshaw, Hall, Brown, Holloway
3 62.5 5-1 14-4 Ashworth, Moore, Ondrasik, Wolff
4 60.8 4-2 18-6 Wilson(r/r), Stead, Hall, Brown
5 61.5 4-2 22-8 Ashworth, Zagar, Moore, Masters
6 62.7 3-2 25-10 Brady, Holloway, Wilson(ef), Stead(fx)
7 61.8 4-2 29-12 Ashworth(r/r), Ondrasik, Birkinshaw, Wolff
8 61.3 3-3 32-15 Zagar(t/s), Brady, Hall, Masters(ef)
9 61.9 3-3 35-18 Stead, Moore, Ashworth, Holloway
10 62.2 5-1 40-19 Wilson, Brady, Ondrasik, Wolff
11 61.3 3-3 43-22 Stead(t/s), Birkinshaw, Hall, Zagar(ef), Brady(r/r, 2 mins)
12 awd 4-2 47-24 Ashworth, Ondrasik, Hall, Brown(fx)
13 61.5 2-4 49-28 Zagar, Wilson, Stead, Moore
14 62.7 5-1 54-29 Moore, Birkinshaw, Ondrasik(t/s), Wolff
15 61.6 1-5 55-34 Zagar, Stead, Wilson, Ashworth

Thursday 4th September: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 57   Arena Essex 'AF Stocktaking' Hammers 41  
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Kelvin Tatum (c) 1 2 4 2 2 1'   12 1
Ross Brady 3 2' 3 1 3 0   12 1 Henning Bager rider replacement (4)  
Ricky Ashworth 2 3 1 3 0     9   Leigh Lanham 3 6 2 2 2 2   17  
Andy Moore fx 1 ef 3 3     7   Lee Herne 1 r 1 0 ef     2  
André Compton rider replacement (6)   Joonas Kylmakorpi 1 1 4 1'       7 1
James Birkinshaw 3 2 1 2'       8 1 Jason King 2 0 ef 0 0 0 1' 3 1
Richard Hall 1 2' 1 0       4 1 Daniel King 0 f           0  
1 62.7 5-1 5-1 Brady, Wilson, Tatum, D.King(r/r)
2 64.2 4-2 9-3 Birkinshaw, J.King, Hall, D.King(f)
3 63.4 2-4 11-7 Lanham, Ashworth, Herne, Moore(fx)
4 63.5 5-1 16-8 Wilson(r/r), Hall, Kylmakorpi, J.King
5 62.3 4-2 20-10 Ashworth, Tatum, Moore, Herne(r/r)
6 62.9 5-1 25-11 Wilson, Brady, Kylmakorpi, J.King(ef)
7 63.3 2-7 27-18 Lanhan(joker), Birkinshaw, Herne, Moore(ef)
8 62.8 4-4 31-22 Brady, Tatum(r/r, joker), Hall, J.King
9 62.2 4-4 35-26 Moore, Kylmakorpi(joker), Ashworth, J.King
10 62.3 4-2 39-28 Wilson, Lanham, Brady, Herne
11 61.9 4-2 43-30 Brady(r/r), Tatum, Birkinshaw, J.King
12 62.0 3-3 46-33 Ashworth, Lanham, J.King, Hall
13 62.1 3-3 49-36 Wilson, Tatum, Kylmakorpi, Ashworth(r/r)
14 62.4 5-2 54-38 Moore, Birkinshaw, Lanham(Golden Double t/s), Herne(ef)
15 61.6 3-3 57-41 Wilson, Lanham, Tatum, Brady

With the League championship heading north of the border the Tigers knuckled down to the task of defending their K.O. Cup. The first leg was 'rained off' due to the absence of Joonas Kylmakorpi so the Tigers just had to concentrate on building up a healthy lead to take to Purfleet on the 19th.

They started in style with Sean shepherding Ross to a maximum in heat 1, and Richard Hall passed Daniel King to extend the lead in heat 2. Trailing at the back Daniel drifted very wide exiting the last bend and took an untidy tumble as he clipped the fence injuring his hand in the process. Heat 3 saw Ricky leading until Andy took a tumble back in 3rd place. Leigh Lanham led the restart and cleverly contained Ricky's last lap 3rd bend challenge by glueing him to the white line.

Sean won heat 4 but the biggest cheer went to rookie Richard Hall who grabbed a handfull of throttle to sweep past Grand Prix rider Joonas Kylmakorpi to follow his skipper home for another 5-1. Ricky outpaced Kelvin to win heat 5, and Joonas trailed Sean and Ross in heat 6.

Then the pissing about started. Leigh was nominated as a golden joker in heat 7, and can consider himself lucky that Andy Moore's machine packed in moments after Andy had swept into the lead exiting the 4th bend on lap 3. Rider replacement Kelvin was similarly nominated in heat 8 but trailed behind Ross, and then Joonas failed to make full use of his joker in heat 9 following Andy home, with Ricky never recovering from a piss poor start. Sean blasted around Leigh on the 3rd turn to win heat 10, and Ross won heat 11 from Kelvin with James Birkinshaw right on his heels. Ricky bounced back to claim heat 12, but again missed out in heat 13 while his skipper cruised to another win.

Leigh Lanham was made a golden double tactical susbstitute in heat 14, but although he passed his team mate by the 3rd bend he never even got on terms with young Andy and James who both looked like their tails were on fire. Ross got the nod for heat 15 but was squeezed out in a hectic first bend while Sean put the finishing touches to his paid maximum. Sixteen points ahead, and all those stupid jokers to play with when we travel down to Purfleet in 2 weeks time. Rider replacement for André only generated 6 points tonight (although equally Henning Bager should have been worth more than the 4 points his replacements scored) so it's fingers crossed that André will be properly recovered in time for the return leg.

Wednesday 3rd September: Premier League
Hull Vikings 47   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 43  
Paul Thorp 1' 2 3 3 3     12 1 Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 1 2     12  
Shaun Tacey 2 1' 3 2'       8 2 Ross Brady r 0 0         0  
Chris Manchester (g) 0 1' 2 2       5 1 Ricky Ashworth 3 3 1 3 0     10  
Simon Cartwright 1 2 2' 1' 2     8 2 Andrew Moore 2' 2' 0 3       7 2
Gary Stead 2 fx 2 2' 1     7 1 Scott Robson (g) 3 3 3 0       9  
Benji Compton 2 1 0         3   James Birkinshaw f 0 0         0  
Barrie Evans 1' 1' 1' 1'       4 4 Richard Hall 3 f 1 f 1 0   5  
1 67.2 3-3 3-3 Wilson, Tacey, Thorp, Brady(r)
2 70.1 3-3 6-6 Hall, Compton, Evans, Birkinshaw(f)
3 68.9 1-5 7-11 Ashworth, Moore, Cartwright, Manchester
4 68.5 3-3 10-14 Robson, Stead, Evans, Hall(f)
5 68.9 3-3 13-17 Wilson, Cartwright, Manchester, Brady
6 67.8 3-3 16-20 Robson, Thorp, Tacey, Birkinshaw
7 69.6 1-5 17-25 Ashworth, Moore, Compton, Stead(fx)
8 69.5 5-1 22-26 Tacey, Cartwright(t/s), Hall, Brady
9 67.7 3-3 25-29 Robson, Manchester, Cartwright, Birkinshaw
10 68.3 5-1 30-30 Thorp, Tacey, Ashworth, Moore
11 68.8 3-3 33-33 Wilson, Stead, Evans, Hall
12 68.6 2-4 35-37 Ashworth, Manchester, Hall, Compton
13 68.5 5-1 40-38 Thorp, Stead, Wilson, Robson
14 68.7 3-3 43-41 Moore, Cartwright, Evans, Hall
15 68.3 4-2 47-43 Thorp, Wilson, Stead, Ashworth

Monday 1st September: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 54   Oxford Silver Machine 35  
Richard Hall 3 3 2 3 3 3   17   Chris Mills 2 3 3 2 2 2   14  
Luke Priest 1 2' 2 1'       6 2 Darren Andrews 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 2' 1' 3 0 2 1   9 2 Chris Schramm 1 1 3 3 3     11  
David Speight 3 2 3 1 1     10   Carl Downs 0 0 0         0  
Ben Wilson (c) rider replacement (9) Joe Cook ef x2 r 0       0  
Paul Cooper 3 2' 1 fx       6 1 Chris Johnson 1 1 1' 0 0     3 1
Gary Flint 2' ef 1' 1'       4 3 Ben Barker 0 3 0 2 2'     7 1
Michael Mitchell 2             2    
1 63.9 4-2 4-2 Hall, Mills, Priest, Andrews
2 65.0 5-1 9-3 Cooper, Flint, Johnson, Barker
3 63.3 5-1 14-4 Speight, Compton, Schramm, Downs
4 66.1 2-3 16-7 Barker, Mitchell, Cook(ef), Flint(ef)
5 63.9 3-3 19-10 Mills, Speight, Compton, Andrews
6 64.0 5-1 24-11 Hall, Priest, Johnson, Barker
7 64.5 5-1 29-12 Compton(r/r), Cooper, Schramm, Downs
8 64.4 3-3 32-15 Mills(t/s), Priest, Flint, Cook(t/s, r)
9 65.6 3-3 35-18 Speight, Barker, Johnson, Compton
10 65.1 3-3 38-21 Schramm, Hall, Priest, Downs
11 63.8 4-2 42-23 Hall(r/r), Mills, Cooper, Andrews
12 66.0 3-3 45-26 Schramm, Compton, Flint, Johnson
13 64.7 4-2 49-28 Hall, Mills, Speight(r/r), Cook
14 awd 1-5 50-33 Schramm, Barker, Speight(f/rem), Cooper(fx),
15 64.5 4-2 54-35 Hall, Mills, Compton, Johnson

Monday 1st September: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 67 119 Carmarthen Dragons 22 59
Richard Hall 3 3 3 3 ef 3   15   Ben Powell 2 3 ef r 3 1   9  
Luke Priest 1 2' 3 2' 2'     10 3 Corey Blackman rider replacement (1)
Benji Compton 2' 2 2' ef       6 2 Gordon Meakins 0 0 1 0 1'     2 1
David Speight 3 1' 3 3 3     13 1 Dean Felton (c) 1 0 0 1 1     3  
Ben Wilson (c) rider replacement (10) (1) Michael Mitchell 0 1 1 1       3  
Paul Cooper 3 2' 3 2 2'     12 2 Darren Hatton f 0 0 1 2 0   3  
Gary Flint 2' 2' 2' 3 2'     11 4 Danny Hodgson ef 1 1 0       2  
1 63.9 4-2 4-2 Hall, Powell, Priest, Meakins(r/r)
2 awd 5-0 9-2 Cooper, Flint, Hatton(f), Hodgson(ef)
3 65.6 5-1 14-3 Speight, Compton, Felton, Meakins
4 63.4 5-1 19-4 Hall(r/r), Flint, Hodgson, Mitchell
5 65.2 3-3 22-7 Powell, Compton, Speight, Felton(r/r)
6 64.4 5-1 27-8 Hall, Priest, Mitchell, Hatton
7 65.2 5-1 32-9 Speight(r/r), Cooper, Meakins, Felton
8 64.7 5-1 37-10 Priest, Flint, Meakins, Powell(t/s, ef)
9 65.2 5-1 42-11 Speight, Compton, Mitchell, Hatton
10 63.5 5-1 47-12 Hall, Priest, Felton, Meakins
11 65.5 5-1 52-13 Cooper, Priest, Hatton, Powell(r)
12 66.7 3-3 55-16 Flint, Hatton, Meakins, Compton(ef)
13 4.7 2-4 57-20 Powell, Cooper, Mitchell, Hall(ef)
14 66.3 5-1 62-21 Speight, Flint, Felton, Hodgson
15 64.5 5-1 67-22 Hall, Cooper, Powell, Hatton

Thursday 21st August: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 58 100 Reading 'Euphony' Racers 32 79
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Andrew Appleton 2 1 2 r 0 0   5  
Ross Brady 0 1 3 1       5   Paul Clews 1' 0 0 2 1 2   6 1
Ricky Ashworth 2' 2' 2' 3 1     10 3 Richard Hall 1 1' 0 0       2 1
Andy Moore 3 3 3 2' 3     14 1 Jonas Davidsson rider replacement (6)  
André Compton rider replacement (5)   Gary Stead (g) 3 2 1 2 1 2   11  
James Birkinshaw 2 3 2' 2'       9 2 Danny Norton 0 0 0         0  
Benji Compton 1' 1 0 0       2 1 Adam Allott (g) 3 2' 1' 1 1'     8 3
Luke Priest 0 0           0    
1 62.5 3-3 3-3 S.Wilson, Appleton, Clews, Brady
2 63.3 3-3 6-6 Allott, Birkinshaw, Compton, Norton
3 61.6 5-1 11-7 Moore, Ashworth, Hall, Clews(r/r)
4 63.0 1-5 12-12 Stead, Allott, Compton, Priest(r/r)
5 62.8 5-1 17-13 Moore, Ashworth, Appleton, Clews
6 62.6 4-2 21-15 S.Wilson, Stead, Brady, Norton
7 63.9 3-3 24-18 Birkinshaw, Appleton(t/s), Hall, Priest(r/r)
8 62.6 3-3 27-21 Brady, Clews, Allott, Compton
9 61.8 5-1 32-22 Moore, Ashworth, Stead, Norton
10 62.3 4-2 36-24 S.Wilson, Stead(t/s), Brady, Hall
11 63.5 5-1 41-25 S.Wilson(r/r), Birkinshaw, Clews, Appleton(r)
12 62.8 5-1 46-26 Ashworth, Birkinshaw, Allott, Hall
13 62.8 5-1 51-27 S.Wilson, Moore(r/r), Stead, Appleton
14 63.7 3-3 54-30 Moore, Clews(t/s), Allott, Compton
15 62.8 4-2 58-32 S.Wilson, Stead, Ashworth, Appleton

The Racers, already weakened by injuries to Phil Morris and Chris Schramm, were without both of their new signings. Jonas has a Danish meeting but Janusz Kolodziej's absence was never explained. With Richard Hall deputizing for the Racers as a heat leader terrace talk was of how close to 70 points we would get. Thankfully the opportunity was taken to give Luke Priest a couple of rides at No.8 and it demonstrated that he's not quite ready to step up just yet.

Ross Brady meekly let both Racers past on the first lap of heat 1, but was only beaten by the determined Gary Stead after that. James was good value for his points and swept past Andrew Appleton to win heat 7 while Ricky (despite another tumble) only lost his maximum to Gary Stead in heat 15. Andy Moore was flying and he and Sean never looked like being caught.

Guests Gary Stead and Adam Allott top scored for the visitors, but to be honest that doesn't mean much!

Thursday 14th August: Premier League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Tigers 51 97 Exeter SVR Falcons 39 83
Sean Wilson (c) 3 3 3 3 3 3   18   Seemond Stephens ef 0 2         2  
Ross Brady 2' 2' 2 2' 0     8 3 Scott Smith 1 2 3 3 3 2   14  
Ricky Ashworth 2' 3 fx 2 3 1   11 1 Lee Smethills 1 3 1 1       6  
Andy Moore 3 1 2 2 2     10   Krister Marsh 0 1 ef         1  
André Compton rider replacement (7)   Mark Simmonds (c) 2 1 3 1 1' 0   8 1
James Birkinshaw 2 0 0 0       2   Roger Lobb 3 0 1 0 2     6  
Benji Compton 0 1 0 1       2   Richard Hall 1 ef 1         2  
1 61.6 5-1 5-1 Wilson, Brady, Smith, Stephens(ef)
2 64.9 2-4 7-5 Lobb, Birkinshaw, Hall, Compton
3 63.4 5-1 12-6 Moore, Ashworth, Smethills, Marsh
4 63.3 4-2 16-8 Wilson(r/r), Simmonds, Compton, Hall
5 62.5 4-2 20-10 Ashworth, Smith, Moore, Stephens
6 61.5 5-1 25-11 Wilson, Brady, Simmonds, Lobb
7 62.5 2-4 27-15 Smethills, Moore(r/r), Marsh, Birkinshaw
8 62.6 2-4 29-19 Smith, Brady, Lobb, Compton
9 62.6 2-4 31-23 Simmonds, Moore, Smethills(t/s), Ashworth(fx)
10 62.1 5-1 36-24 Wilson, Brady, Smethills, Lobb
11 62.8 2-4 38-28 Smith, Ashworth(r/r), Simmonds(t/s), Birkinshaw
12 63.9 4-2 42-30 Ashworth, Lobb, Compton, Marsh(ef)
13 62.5 3-3 45-33 Wilson, Stephens, Simmonds, Brady(r/r)
14 63.7 2-4 47-37 Smith(t/s), Moore, Hall, Birkinshaw
15 63.2 4-2 51-39 Wilson, Smith, Ashworth, Simmonds

Predictably Scud was the pick of the visitors, but he even managed to alienate his 1st bend fan club when he dumped Ross into the fence in heat 8. Ross led the rerun briefly but when Scud got alongside him into turn 3 on the second lap he wisely chose not to contest the point.

The skipper was in superb form and never looked like being caught and received solid back-up from his colleagues. James looked down on power, and the battle of the Prowlers never really materialised but I suppose that Richard came out on top despite his engine problems.

Tuesday 12th August: Conference League
Wolverhampton Wolf Cubs 57   Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 28  
Graham Jones 3 3 3 3 3     15   Richard Hall ef 2 1 3 2 1 0 9  
Jeremy Pestell fx f fx 1       1   Garry Flint 2 0 fx r 0     2  
Rob Finlow fx 2' 2' ns       4 2 Benji Compton fx 1' r fx 2'     3 2
Matt Wethers 3 3 2 1       10   Luke Priest 0 3 1' 3 3     10 1
Steve Braidford 3 3 3 2' 2'     13 2 Ben Wilson rider replacement (4)  
Lawrence Needs 2' 0 1 2' 0     5 2 David Speight x 1' 1         2 1
Scott Blackwell 3 1 2 3       9   Ben Warburton f 0 0         0  

A big win for the Wolf Cubs as the Prowlers struggled on the tight Monmore Green circuit. Every one of the Prowlers fell at least once but it wasn't only our lads who found conditions difficult as no fewer than five of the Wolf Cubs also came adrift.

Monday 11th August: Conference League
Sheffield 'Pirtek' Prowlers 45 71 Mildenhall Fen Tigers 45 108
Richard Hall 3 3 f 3 3 3   15   Wayne Broadhurst (c) 2 3 2 2' 1'     10 2
Michael Mitchell fx             0   Ben Howe rider replacement (7) (1)
Benji Compton 2 0 1 3 3 1   10   James Brundle 3 1 2' 2 2 ef   10 1
Luke Priest 1' 2 1 0 2     6 1 Lee Hodgson 0 3 1' 3 3     10 1
Ben Wilson (c) rider replacement 4   Nick Simmons 1' 2 3 2 2 2   12 1
David Speight 3 fx 3 1 1'     8 1 Matthew Wright 0 0 0 1'       1 1
Paul Cooper 2' 1 2 1 0 ef   6 1 Karl Langley 1 1 0 0       2  
Garry Flint 0             0    
1 awd 3-3 3-3 Hall, Broadhurst, Simmons(r/r), Mitchell(fx)
2 65.6 5-1 8-4 Speight, Cooper, Langley, Wright
3 65.9 3-3 11-7 Brundle, Compton, Priest, Hodgson
4 64.5 4-2 15-9 Hall(r/r), Simmons, Cooper, Wright
5 66.4 2-4 17-13 Broadhurst, Priest, Brundle, Compton
6 awd 2-4 19-17 Simmons, Cooper, Langley, Hall(fx)
7