In a meeting packed with incidents, momentum swings and on-track tensions, Leicester raced into an early lead before seeing Sheffield battle back from 12 points down to force a last heat decider.

The contest also saw Lions No.1 Ryan Douglas withdraw after a heavy crash, while a fiery Heat 9 clash between Kyle Howarth and Josh Pickering added to the intensity, with the pair involved in a heated exchange after the race. (Watch the race and aftermath in the video below)

Despite the pressure, Leicester held their nerve in the closing stages, with Dan Thompson’s second place in Heat 15 proving enough to seal both the win on the night and progression to the final.

Leicester made a flying start with successive 5-1s in the opening heats to establish control, but Sheffield gradually worked their way back into the meeting.

After falling behind by double figures, the Tigers mounted a strong comeback with a series of heat advantages, closing the gap to just four points heading into the final races and setting up a tense finish.

Leicester manager Stewart Dickson, speaking via the Leicester Speedway website, said:

“The objective was to get to the Final and we’ve done that.

“We had one or two problems, including Dougy coming off after he’d looked really good in his first race, and that did have a bit of an effect on us.

“But the team mucked in to cover for him… I thought we were the better team, although it was disappointing to be eight and then 12 points up and for them to still come back into it.

“But we’ve qualified for the Final against Ipswich and we owe them one for last season.”

Sheffield boss Simon Stead, speaking via the Sheffield Speedway website, added:

“Obviously as a group we’re disappointed to bow out, but the reaction from last Thursday was all you can ask.

“We knew it was going to be a difficult task but when the effort’s there you can’t ask for any more.

“We came up a little bit short… congratulations to Leicester and best wishes to them for the Final, but we now go again.”

Leicester now progress to the Premiership Knockout Cup Final where they will face Ipswich, while Sheffield take positives from a spirited performance despite their exit.

Leicester Lions 46 Sheffield Tigers 44

Feature Image courtesy of Mia Durkin – British Speedway

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The initiative is the latest move from the club to strengthen its connection with the local community, following earlier efforts this year including a partnership with Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The club is encouraging current supporters to nominate local groups such as sports teams, dance groups and scout organisations, with the aim of bringing new fans through the turnstiles and introducing them to the sport.

With strong attendances already in place, the focus is now on building for the future and creating long-term supporters by giving young people the chance to experience speedway first-hand.

The scheme is designed to make race nights more accessible while also growing the fanbase, with the hope that first-time visitors will return and become regular followers of the sport.

Anyone interested in applying for free tickets can do so by contacting the club directly via email at sheffieldtigersspeedway@gmail.com

Feature Image courtesy of Sheffield Speedway

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The fans’ favourite will lead the Tigers for a fourth straight season and lines up once again with Jack Holder, Chris Holder, Anders Rowe, Leon Flint and Jye Etheridge. Rising Star Luke Killeen is the only new addition at Owlerton Stadium this term.

Team manager Simon Stead was thrilled to keep his captain on board, speaking to the Sheffield Speedway website.

“Everybody knows my thoughts on Picko by now and we’re over the moon to keep him for another year,” Stead said.

“He’s all-action on track, an out-and-out heat-leader at this level and a brilliant captain to have.

“We’ll need him performing at a similar level again this season – if not improving – and there’s no reason why he can’t do that.”

Off track, preparations for the new Premiership campaign are gathering pace, with season ticket details expected to be announced soon. The club are also finalising a range of new commercial packages, due to be launched in the coming weeks.

Feature Image courtesy of Sheffield Speedway

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He lines up once again alongside Jack Holder, Chris Holder, Anders Rowe and Leon Flint from last year’s side, with Rising Star Luke Killeen the only fresh face announced so far.

That leaves the Tigers with just one remaining place to fill ahead of the new Premiership campaign, and team manager Simon Stead is eager to see what Etheridge can produce from the very start of the season.

Speaking to the Sheffield Speedway website, Stead explained that Etheridge faced a challenging situation last year after joining midway through the campaign while not fully fit.

Despite those setbacks, Stead said there were encouraging signs of Etheridge’s potential, particularly praising his attitude and approach.

“He’s always keen to try different set-ups to make things work, he’s not afraid to experiment with his racing lines, and he listens and gives everything a proper go,” Stead said via the Sheffield Speedway website.

Stead believes a full pre-season with the team will be a major advantage, adding that starting the campaign at reserve again should give Etheridge a strong base to build from in 2026.

Feature Image courtesy of Sheffield Speedway

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The former World Champion first linked up with the Tigers late in 2023 and played a major part in their Premiership title triumph that year. Since then, the Australian star has remained a cornerstone of the side across the last two campaigns.

For 2026, Holder returns to join younger brother Jack Holder, plus Anders Rowe, Leon Flint and new Rising Star Luke Killeen on the Tigers’ confirmed team sheet.

Speaking to the Sheffield Speedway website, team boss Simon Stead said:

“Everyone knows what Chris is about by now and he’s still a class act.

“This year, he’s coming back in on a 6.84 which is an absolute bargain for someone of his quality.

“When he’s on it, he’s on it and that was most evident when he scored that paid maximum in our last home meeting of the season against Ipswich.

“He’s had that little setback by not competing in the Aussie Championships because of the injuries he sustained just before they were due to get going – but he’ll be back and I think we’ll see another solid season from Chris.

“He’s brilliant to have around the pits, he gets on well with the rest of the lads and he’s a big team player.”

Feature Image courtesy of Sheffield Speedway

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The 28-year-old last appeared for the Tigers in 2021 and now becomes their final signing for next season after racing for rivals Ipswich last year and not appearing in the most recent top-flight campaign.

Promoter Damien Bates said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to offer Danyon a team place.

“He’s always a pleasure to deal with, he keeps everything straightforward and he’s always grateful for any opportunities.

“I think the year he had with Ipswich in 2023 was another big learning curve for him and after not getting in a Premiership team this year, he’s knuckled down in the Championship and his attitude is spot on.

“I think he’ll fit into the team we’ve got really well, I think he’ll learn even more from the other riders around him and it will be good to see him back at Sheffield.”

Words and Feature Image by British Speedway

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GP star Jack Holder, brother Chris, treble World Champion Tai Woffinden and Josh Pickering will all return to Owlerton in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership next year.

The Tigers have also moved to sign GB talent Anders Rowe, with their second reserve spot alongside Rising Star Leon Flint still to be confirmed.

 

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Promoter Damien Bates said: “We didn’t want to change too much because we weren’t a million miles away last season.

“Obviously Tai was injured but with him, Jack, Chris and Picko as a top four, if they can have an injury-free year and just do what they do, it only needs Anders, Leon and the seventh rider to score their average and we’ll win speedway meetings.

“Something changed very late on with the final rider but as a management team we’re working on things and we’ll inform supporters of that signing when the time is right.

“We’re more than happy with the team we’ve got so far, it’s got four proven heat-leaders and a couple of British youngsters who can hopefully continue to progress and we’re looking forward to having another solid year at Sheffield.”

Words by British Speedway – Feature Image by Sheffield Speedway

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Howarth, who staged his Testimonial meeting this year, won major silverware at both senior levels with the Tigers and made nearly 240 appearances, scoring over 1,900 points.

He led them to the top-flight league title in 2023 but will be heading elsewhere in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership next year.

Howarth said: “Since joining the club in 2016, they’ve always wanted to be successful so winning the Championship with them in 2017, that was such a good year and to win it away at Ipswich was such a moment.

“Winning two Cup titles, winning the Pairs title twice with them and then of course 2023 and that dramatic Final against Ipswich at home, to come back from 18 points, that will be one of the best moments for me.

“To win six trophies in eight years with them has been amazing and it’s been great times for me there.

“I just want to say a massive thank you to the promotion for everything they’ve done and sticking by me through some tough runs, to the fans who’ve supported me throughout and I just want to wish Sheffield Speedway all the best in the future.”

Words and Images by British Speedway

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The Witches also took the aggregate point following their victory at Owlerton earlier in the season as they recovered from conceding a 5-1 in the first race to take control of the meeting.

It was a solid team effort from the hosts with reserve Keynan Rew top-scoring on ten points whilst guest Scott Nicholls scored 9+1 and Adam Ellis (8+3) dropped only one point from four rides.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was a brilliant night, and I am delighted with the result.

“Massive credit to the track staff again, the track was under water this morning and we have had showers throughout the day, but they managed to get the meeting on with no bother on the track at all. The team were solid throughout and every one of them contributed with a paid win.

“The results are brilliant, and everything is going great on the track. You would think there will come a point where it might catch up with us with all the injury problems we have had, but we have got people coming back in and it feels a bit like we are through the worst of it.”

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “It was another disappointing result really.

“We’ve got to get more from elsewhere apart from Jack and Woffy and we need some more consistency, we need to fill the gaps.

“Ipswich deserved their win, we’re back to licking our wounds a little bit and hopefully we can get a response in our next meeting which is an important one against Belle Vue a week on Thursday.”

Scorecard

Feature Image courtesy of Jeff Higgott

The post Ipswich Witches extend Premiership lead with win over Sheffield Tigers – Results appeared first on Speedway Hub UK.

The visitors won 49-41 at the National Speedway Stadium on Easter Monday and will look to defend that advantage and end the Tigers’ run of reaching successive Cup Finals.

It will also be a first home meeting of the season for Sheffield, who have so far raced on the road three times in 2024.

Manager Simon Stead said: “These War of the Roses clashes are always something special. They throw up some real competitive action and it’s always a fixture that’s great to be a part of.

“With just eight points separating us ahead of the second leg, it’s one of those deficits that we know we’re more than capable of overturning at home.

“The boys are really itching to get some competitive laps under their belt around Owlerton once again, and with the incentive of a Cup semi-final place on the line in addition, I’m excited to see what the lads can do.”

Aces star Jaimon Lidsey said: “I don’t believe that Monday’s result was a fluke. Sheffield have a great team, there’s no denying that, but we also have a great team as well.

“Ben [Cook] and Connor [Mountain] have settled in very quickly and the vibe in the camp is really good, really positive, and I believe that showed on Monday.

“The confidence is up having beaten them, and that’s something we need to build on. We know they won’t want to lose at home, and we’ll need to work hard to protect our advantage.”

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.

BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Jaimon Lidsey, Ben Cook, Dan Bewley, Connor Mountain, Connor Bailey.

SCB Referee: Seth Perkin

Words by British Speedway – Image by Ian Charles

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