Sheffield destroy Newport to go second.

Newport generally do a bit better than this at Owlerton but tonight they just were not given a chance. Sean Wilson and Ricky Ashworth set the trend in heat one with a maximum which was quickly followed by two more and twenty ahead after just six heats and the Tigers were home and hosed.

Former Sheffield rider Tony Atkin was the pick of the visitors but he had to look far and wide for any support as even Craig Watson found life too hot. Wilson and Ashworth never in danger of being beaten by an opponent and Andrew Moore could have joined them but for a last race retirement when chasing Atkin. After this win and the bonus, Sheffield up to second in the PL behind the Isle of Wight.

Wilson and Ashworth left Smart for dead in heat one. Ben Wilson and Chris Schramm went elbow to elbow along the back straight with Wilson edging to a lead by the end of the lap. James Birkinshaw chased down Schramm then rode around him towards the end of lap three.

Moore and Ross Brady comfortably home in heat three with Nelis Iversen giving a good show. A little rain fell before heat four, which was won by Watson from Andre Compton and Ben Wilson. Temporary respite for Newport as two more Sheffield 5-1s immediately followed.

It looked a bit better for the Wasps in heat seven when Atkin and Iversen hit the front. Compton though moved Iversen over through turns three and four then set about Atkin charging under him with a big inside move early on the last lap. But he drifted out wider and wider leaving Atkin no choice but baling out in to the second turn fencing. Compton out of the re-run which resulted in Newport's first heat advantage of the night.

Ashworth rode a good race to fend off tactical substitute Watson in heat eight refusing to be budged when Watson put in a stiff inside challenge on turn three. Moore finished a parish or so ahead in heat nine from Watson with Brady third. Wilson and Ashworth continued their double act in heat ten. Compton away and gone in heat eleven with Birkinshaw riding a brave first lap to thread himself between Wasps due and fence driving out of turn two then sticking out wide for the drive over the remainder to fend off the persistent Schramm.

Moore was chasing Atkin hard in heat twelve when forced out on lap two with a mechanical problem. Ben Wilson then pushed Iversen very hard but couldn't quite get through to second. Sean Wilson beat Watson without breaking serious sweat in heat thirteen and with Compton slicing under Schramm two more points were added to the Sheffield lead.

Birkinshaw will be off down to B&Q in the morning for a new kitchen sink after throwing the current one at Iversen in heat fourteen in a four lap battle for second place in what was a consolation 5-1 for Newport. Ashworth and Wilson completed respective paid maximums in heat fifteen.

Scorers:

Sheffield
Sean Wilson 14, Ricky Ashworth 12, Andrew Moore 9, Ross Brady 5, Andre Compton 6, James Birkinsahw 6, Ben Wilson 5

Newport
Frank Smart 2, Carl Wilkinson 0, Nelis Iversen 7, Tony Atkin 11, Craig Watson 10, Chris Schramm 3, Ben Warburton 0