Smith quits Sheffield.

Reigning Premier League champions and current pace-setters Sheffield have been left reeling by the decision of Scott Smith to take time out from speedway to consider his options.

Smith, a Sheffield rider for around eight years, has always been acknowledged as something of a home track expert but has struggled notably away from the big, fast Owlerton bowl and come in for rising criticism from the terraces.

The rider, affectionally known as "Scud", has played his part in Sheffield's run of success over the past four seasons in particular his vital heat win in the final of the Premier League Fours at Peterborough in 1999 and winning a flying elbow battle with Kevin Doolan at Berwick last season as both rides as good as secured Sheffield's position as Fours champions and Premier League title winners in the years concerned.

The club are believed to be considering a number of riders as replacement for Smith but will be no doubt keen to move quickly as under the current set of averages Smith had slipped to fifth position. This means until a new face is found, Sheffield's only option in the rider replacement facility.

In their first fixture without Smith, the Tigers won by 46-44 at Rye House yesterday and in doing so went to the top of the Premier League. Sean Wilson, Andre Compton and Andrew Moore did the damage dropping just two points between them to an opposition rider.

Wilson and Compton combined in heat thirteen for the maximum that put Sheffield ahead only to see Edward Kennett and David Mason repay the compliment in the penultimate heat fourteen to nose the Rockets back in front. Sheffield needed a repeat of heat thirteen to grab victory, which they got through the Wilson/Compton partnership.