Speedway: Sheffield Tigers 59, Newcastle Diamonds 33

May 2 2008 The Journal

NEWCASTLE Diamonds, at one of their least favourite tracks, held their own early on against the Sheffield Tigers, but they could only take two heat winners out of 15.

Josef Franc opened Newcastle’s account well with a win in the opening race, but his team partner, Ben Powell suffered engine failure on the opening lap when in second place in the eventual 3-3. With the score at 17-13 after heat five Jason King made a rocket of a gate to lead and win the sixth but again his partner, this time Stoddart trailed in at the back in another 3-3, to keep the deficit at four points.

The Tigers then turned the screw as they hit three 4-2s and two 5-1s past Newcastle over the next five races taking the score to 38-22, and being more than 10 down, it was tactical ride time for Newcastle.

Franc was the nominated rider for double points in Heat 11, and led initially very well until he made a disastrous error on the last lap to allow Wilson through, reducing his six points to four, pulling two back behind the Tigers.

SHEFFIELD TIGERS: Ashworth 11+2, Parsons 7+3, Compton 15, Smethills 4, Wilson 10, Martin 3, Cooper 9+1.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Franc 13 , Stancl (Rider Replacement), Henry 5, Powell 3+1, King 8+1, Robertson 4+1, Sean Stoddart 0.