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Teenage Tigers destroy Rockets
SHEFFIELD TIGERS 62 RYE HOUSE ROCKETS 33 RAMPANT Tigers strode into the top three of the Premier League with a thumping win over former champions Rye House in front of a bumper crowd at Owlerton - and sounded a warning to their title rivals in the process.
It was a night when the Sheffield teenagers took top billing as fast-rising Hugh Skidmore bagged his first maximum and Josh Auty topped the scorecharts with paid 14.
Aussie Skidmore set the agenda by storming to victory in Heat 1 along with skipper Ricky Ashworth.
When Auty rode a superb race in heat 4 to round both Rye House men and join Chris Mills for another full-house, it put Sheffield well on the way to a comprehensive victory.
Rye did briefly fight back, a 4-2 in in heat 5 and one-time Tigers target Linus Sundstrom won a tactical ride in heat 7 to narrow the gap to 27-18.
But Sheffield's response was devastating as Skidmore and Mills banged in another 5-1 in the next race as the hosts won six of the last eight races to coast to all three match points.
They could even afford to throw away several points with Paul Cooper and Joel Parsons both grinding to a halt, whilst Ashworth almost came a cropper in his last two rides - but managed to hang on for third place in both - and Mills bit the dust in the last race.
The lowest home scorer in a Sheffield points-fest was Parsons with 7, while Swedish starlet Sundstrom was the top Rocket with paid 14.
But it was a thorough display from Sheffield as they head into a tough August, although with Skidmore dropping to reserve because of the new monthly team averages, it will give them added firepower.
Said team manager Eric Boocock: "Rye House are one of the top sides in the league and for us to win so emphatically really establishes our credentials as championship contenders."
Tigers now head to Stoke on Saturday in search of more vital league points.
TIGERS: J. Auty 13+1, H. Skidmore 11+1, R. hall 9, C. Mills 8+2, P. Cooper 7+2, R. Ashworth 7+1, J. Parsons 7.
RYE HOUSE: L. Sundstrom 13+1, C. Neath 8, L. Bowen 5, R. Mear 4, T. Allen 2, A. Silver 1.
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Weather for Sheffield
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
