RICHARD Hall was again in unbeatable form as Sheffield bagged three more Premier League points to continue their charge up the table.

After notching his first maximum last week, Hall scored a five-ride paid maximum against a side widely tipped as title challengers.

But despite Birmingham's lofty position, they were brought crashing down by a powerhouse performance from the Tigers – which underlined the Owlerton side's own potential.

Two 5-1s in the first three heats set the agenda and after a third maximum in heat 7, Tigers were coasting it at 29-13.

But two tactical ride wins inside four heats hauled the Brummies back in it. Firstly, Aussie Richard Sweetman cruised to a six-point win in heat 8 and he then teamed up with Tomas Piszcz to fend off a tenacious challenge from Josh Auty and Paul Cooper in the 11th to notch an 8-1.

That left Sheffield 41-31 up with four races to go, but when Joel Parsons and Chris Mills shot from the start in heat 12 it ended the visitors' hopes.

Sheffield had one further 5-1, as Hall and Cooper teamed up to win the penultimate race, Hall sealing his maximum in heat 15.

Tigers boss Eric Boocock was delighted with his side's all-round strength and he'll be hoping for more of the same tonight when an unchanged Sheffield side travel to Somerset for the first of two away matches in three days, also heading to Newcastle on Sunday.

SHEFFIELD: R. Hall 14+1, H. Skidmore 8+1, P. Cooper 8+1, J. Parsons 8, R. Ashworth 7, C. Mills 6+2, J. Auty 4+1.

BRUMMIES: R. Sweetman 14+1, T. Piszcz 13+1, J. Lyons 9+1, R. Ksiezak 4, L. Priest 1, L. Lindgren 0, M. Hauzinger 0.

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