Sheffield Tigers in 'perfect return' with win over Wolverhampton in front of fans

Fans enjoyed their first taste of Owlerton action since September 2019 with a tense battle against one of the form teams of the season so far.

Troy Batchelor who tops the Sheffield averages, shook off his race rusty tag with four impressive wins and Jack Holder continued his sizzling form.

Stead said: “It’s the perfect way to start at home, against really good opposition, because we’ve seen what Wolves have done to a couple of teams already this year.

“Credit to our lads, they put in a really good performance, and I’m pleased. It’s a good start.

“I’m particularly happy for Batch, who’s not started the season how he would have wanted. But I knew he was only one start and a first corner and a race win away from a performance and a score like that one, so that was proof of what he’s really capable of.

“I loved having the fans back. It was great to see familiar faces and new faces, and what I really enjoyed was the third and fourth corner being full of supporters. You really felt that atmosphere and felt the crowd behind you in the pits.

“To see a good crowd in, a good race meeting, and to see us come out on top, it couldn’t have been any better. It’s a perfect return.”

The Batchelor/Holder combination showed its strength with a 5-1 in Heat 13 to put the match virtually beyond Wolves, and skipper Kyle Howarth collected a 3-3 with James Wright, behind Douglas in the next to secure victory.

The visitors could still have salvaged a league point with an advantage in the last race but Batchelor was in no mood to allow that as he raced clear from the gate, even though the impressive Luke Becker passed Adam Ellis for third place.

SHEFFIELD 49: Troy Batchelor 12, Jack Holder 11+1, Adam Ellis 9, Kyle Howarth 6+1, James Wright 5+1, Justin Sedgmen 4+1, Josh Bates 2.

WOLVERHAMPTON 41: Nick Morris 10+1, Luke Becker 8+2, Sam Masters 6+1, Broc Nicol 6+1, Ryan Douglas 5+1, Rory Schlein 5, Tom Bacon 1+1.