Sheffield Tigers seek cup redemption

The Tigers are in need of a miracle in the second leg of their Knockout Cup quarter-final tie after a 62-28 first -eg defeat at Brough Park on Sunday.

Bates knows they must prove their Newcastle nightmare was just a one-off with a strong showing in the second leg.

“A lot of people are saying its mission impossible and in many ways I understand that,” Bates said

“We were all very disappointed with what happened at Newcastle. We weren’t happy with the result, and this is our riders’ chance to set the record straight.

“If we can start well in the first four or five heats maybe we can give them something to think about, and that’s what we’ll be trying to do.

“We can’t afford any mistakes like bike problems or tapes offences - it needs to be a perfect performance if we are to have a chance.

“Newcastle have some top-quality riders who are always good to watch at Owlerton, so, whatever the outcome, I’m pretty sure it’ll be a good night of entertaining action.

“We have to make sure Sunday’s meeting at Newcastle was nothing more than a blip.

The Tigers will once again be without Jason Garrity and will operate rider replacement.

He is still ruled out with an arm injury but is planning his comeback in the showpiece Premier League Fours Weekend on Saturday.

Sheffield will take on Newcastle, Plymouth and Redcar in Group B of the competition at Peterborough as they look to book their place in Sunday’s final.

Garrity will be joined in the side by Simon Stead, Kyle Howarth and Dimitri Berge.

Sheffield: Simon Stead, Dimitri Berge, Josh Bates, Jason Garrity R/R, Kyle Howarth, Arthur Sissis, Nathan Greaves.

Newcastle: Ryan Fisher, Victor Palovaara, Matej Kus, Ludvig Lindgren, Robert Lambert, Lewis Rose, Danny Phillips.