Complin heroics in vain as Tigers well beaten

INJURY-HIT Sheffield went down to a 59-32 defeat on the Isle of Wight last night - leaving them a tough task to claim the aggregate bonus point when the sides meet again at Owlerton tomorrow.

Reg Wilson's side went into the meeting without skipper Andre Compton, James Cockle and James Birkinshaw - and former favourite Lee Complin, still a club asset, guested.

Complin scored well and was used as Sheffield's tactical rider in heat 12 when he scored double points from second spot - but the Islanders picked up first and third which restricted Tigers to a 4-4 and therefore blocked their bid to get the scores closer.

Earlier only two riders finished heat 10 when Paul Cooper shed a primary chain and the Isle of Wight rider Corey Gathercole was excluded. Chris Holder, regarded as one of the top riders in the Premier League, got the better of Complin to extend the home lead.

The Islanders finished the meeting strongly with some impressive 5-1 maximums to give the scoreline a more emphatic appearance despite the brave efforts of the Owlerton club.

They finished with three maximums in the last three heats and ended the meeting in style when Holder and skipper Jason Bunyan got the better of Complin and the impressive Ben Wilson, who had one of his better away meetings of the season.

The result means tomorrow's return takes on extra significance as Sheffield have a big task on their hands to claim all three points from the meeting to boost their play-offs hopes.

ISLE OF WIGHT: Jason Bunyan 12+1, Chris Holder 11+1, Chris Johnson 9+3, Krzysztof Stojanowski 9+1, Cory Gathercole 9, Glen Phillips 8+1, Karl Mason1.

SHEFFIELD: Lee Complin 11+1, Ben Wilson 8, Ricky Ashworth 3+1, Paul Cooper, 3, Joel Parsons 3, Ben Powell 3, Karlis 1.