Speedway: Grieves on top as Glasgow Tigers maul Sheffield

Sep 3 2012 By Fraser Wilson

GLASGOW won the battle of the Tigers against Sheffield on Sunday - but their hopes of reaching the Premier League play offs look to be dead.

Despite a 54-39 victory, with James Grieves top scoring with 12 points, Glasgow remain eighth in the table and require a minor miracle in their final four league meetings to have any chance of defending their title.

The meeting was dubbed 'Sellout Sunday' as bosses slashed prices in a bid to attract a bumper end of season crowd and boost the cash-strapped Glasgow club's coffers.

But the plea appeared to have fallen on deaf ears as only a slight jump in attendance was apparent for what was, in effect, a meaningless meeting.

Glasgow were at full strength while Sheffield used rider replacement for former Glasgow star Emiliano Sanchez.

Czech Republic star Josef Franc flew from the tapes in heat 1 although Campton chased hard, he couldn't pass the Sheffield No1, meaning the opening heat was shared.

Glasgow took the lead in heat three when Josh Grajczonek and Henning Bager raced to a 5-1.

Ricky Wells kept Sheffield in the match with three excellent heat wins in heats 4, 6 and 7 leaving the scores tied at 21-21 after seven heats.

However, Glasgow bared their teeth and regained the lead with a 5-1 in the rerun of heat 8 from Mason Campton and Charles Wright after Chris Schramm had been excluded in the first running.

Josh Grajczonek won heat nine inflicting Ricky Wells first defeat of the meeting and another 5-1 from Joe Screen and Mason Campton in heat 10 extended Tigers lead to ten points.

Sheffield used Franc as a tactical ride in heat 11 and he and partner Hugh Skidmore sped from the tapes but James Grieves managed to pass Skidmore on lap two to limit the damage to 7-2.

Grajczonek completed his paid maximum as he and Wright race to a 5-1 in heat 12 followed by another Glasgow 5-1 from Grieves and Screen in heat 13 to seal the match points.

Henning Bager won heat 14 but required medical attention after injuring himself during the race.

Home favourite Grieves then won the final heat to round off an excellent home performance for the Tigers with every rider except Filip Sitera recording at least one paid win.

Sheffield were well served by Ricky Wells who was one the most impressive visitors to Ashfield this season and the fast starting Franc.

Captain Joe Screen said: "There was a bit of a worry early on but nothing out of the ordinary.

"With the side we have at the moment we know we are good enough to come back and beat teams at home.

"We were comfortable in the end and the majority of the side scored well.

"The team is going well at the moment and it's just unfortunate the team changes came a bit late to get into the play offs."

Glasgow 54

Joe Screen 8+2 Mason Campton 8+2 Josh Grajczonek 11+1 Henning Bager 7+1 James Grieves 12 Charles Wright 8+1 Filip Sitera 0

Sheffield 39

Josef Franc 11 Hugh Skidmore 1 Emiliano Sanchez R/R Richard Hall 4 Ricky Wells 14 Chris Schramm 6+1 Adam McKinna (g) 3