Gritty Sheffield grab win at Exeter.

This one looked like "win or bust" as far as a continued title challenge for Sheffield went and the Tigers rose to the occasion magnificently, first holding and then losing a four point lead before prevailing with a very important away win. Every one of the top five won at least once but perhaps the accolades should go to Ross Brady who was unbeaten bar a last place in heat five when missing the start.

Sheffield got off to the perfect start in heat one with Sean Wilson and Brady heading off to a simple 5-1. Krister Marsh won heat two by a distance from James Birkinshaw and Ben Wilson then Lee Smethills was away and gone in heat three with Ricky Ashworth in second after fighting off a determined Seemond Stephens on turn two. Andrew Moore was a little off the pace as the Falcons got a couple back which was promptly wiped out by Andre Compton and Ben Wilson in heat four. Smethills smartly away to beat Sean Wilson in heat five.

Ashworth lead Simmonds in heat seven but was sold the classic sucker punch by the Exeter captain who showed inside, inside, inside for three laps then sweeping out wide and in to the lead out of turn two on the last lap for the 4-2 that put the Falcons ahead. Brady blasted out for an important victory in heat eight and a share of the points but Exeter wet four ahead through Stephens and Smethills after the next. Ashworth rode well to win heat ten from Scott Smith who was almost passed up the inside by the pressing Moore on lap three but firmly shut the door on his former team mate.

Then the big moment - Sean Wilson flew away in heat eleven and Brady kept it fast and tight out of turn two to drop in behind as the Tigers scored a big 5-1 at a crucial time for a two point lead. The Sheffield contingent on the terraces willed Moore to win heat twelve and he didn't let anyone down to sort out whatever was troubling him earlier to put it right win a very impressive - and fast - victory.
Exeter were gave Karl Mason his third ride in heat thirteen probably hoping Sean Wilson and Compton would get a 5-1 to allow the home side a tactical substitute in heat fourteen. But although Sean Wilson won in the fastest time of the season, Simmonds chased vainly as Andre remained third. Tigers up by four and two to go.

Smethills took his third win of the night in heat fourteen although Ashworth did is job with second place and the Tigers held a two point lead going in to the last heat. With Sean Wilson flying there would only be one winner - wouldn't there? It didn't look that way as the Exeter paid nosed ahead in to turn one. They held it about as long as it took Wilson to open the throttle, ride between them and then pulling away from the back straight.

Tigers win by two and head off to Trelawny tomorrow night for what will be a much tougher examination.