Speedway: Sheffield Tigers' pair celebrating victory

The gritty Owlerton duo landed the prestigious Pairs at Somerset on Friday by beating Workington in the final.

It was the first silverware for the Tigers since winning the league title final against Ipswich last October.

Not only that, it’s the perfect boost before their crunch clash with high-flying Lakeside on Thursday night.

Howarth said: “It’s great to win the Pairs for the club. We need to take that form into the meeting against Lakeside.

“Me and Charles got the job done at Somerset and I hope it gives us all a boost as it gets to the business end of the season.”

The Tigers duo beat Workington’s Ty Proctor and Nicolai Klindt in the final to retain the title at Somerset on Friday night.

Howarth and Wright won their group with 22 points before beating pre-meeting favourites Lakeside in the semis.

Howarth said: “It’s a tough day, we knew it was going to be hard. We worked as a team and we were consistent all the way through the night.

“We just chipped away with no last places and putting points on the board. When it came to the big heats we stepped our game up.

“Charles and I sussed out where we were riding all night and where we wanted to be. When it came to the semis and final we got it done.

“We kept calm and didn’t make drastic changes during the meeting.

“We are just good mates, we enjoy riding our bikes and we come from the same town Stalybridge and live just two minutes from each other.

“Charles and I go on holiday together skiing and we’re just two mates who won the Pairs.”

Wright top scored with 12 points in the qualifying heats with Howarth on 10. In the final they packed in second and third behind Proctor to wrap it up by keeping Comets’ Klindt at the back.

Former Somerset ace Wright added: “The game plan was to just get in the semis and avoid last places. Then we had an idea that when it got to the semis to step it up.

“We got the crucial gate pick in the final which was down to Kyle and the flip of the coin. We just stuck together all day.

“Obviously we have a good bond. We finally team-rode today, we’ve been struggling in Heats 13 and 15 for Sheffield but we got the job done.”