Speedway: Nobody giving up on title at Glasgow Tigers, insists Alan Dick

Aug 8 2012 By Fraser Wilson

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GLASGOW TIGERS responded to boss Alan Dick's demands for a first away victory with an extraordinary fightback at Sheffield to keep their title hopes alive.

The Possil men threw themselves a Premier League lifeline after battling back from 36-21 down after nine heats to pinch the tie 48-47 and move up to seventh in the table.

But they had a 'lucky 13' to thank after an incredible slice of fortune in the 13th heat turned the tie on its head.

Sheffield's big two of Hugh Skidmore and Ricky Wells left the gates looking to close out victory with six points separating the sides. But neither made it to the finishing line as both suffered broken chains leaving James Grieves and Joe Screen to win at a canter and pull Glasgow to within a point.

Incredibly five Sheffield riders suffered the same misfortune throughout the meeting on an evening when the racing Gods were certainly looking down on Dick's side.

The co-promoter had laid it on the line to his riders going into the meeting, insisting any hope of retaining their championship would be lost if they didn't secure a first away win at Owlerton arena.

And after emerging with the points, Dick breathed a huge sigh of relief. He said: "We wanted a win, we got a win and now hopefully we can take confidence from that to push on into the top six.

"That's three wins on the bounce and nobody here is giving up on the title. The team is looking stronger than it has all season and the riders are desperate to make the play-offs - as we all are."

Sheffield counterpart David Hoggart groaned: "I'm absolutely shell-shocked. We were home and dry, winning by 15 points and then we just have the most horrendous luck.

"I've never known three different riders to shed five chains between them, and in such vital races. Sometimes you get one or two, but to have five? It's just unheard of."

Glasgow's home meeting with Berwick Bandits fell victim to the rain on Sunday but the Tigers return to Ashfield this Sunday when second-placed Somerset Rebels visit for a meeting which will see Glasgow newboy Charles Wright go up against his elder brother James.