2011 Sheffield Tigers season

The 2011 Premier League Season is the 15th consecutive season that the Sheffield Tigers has competed at the 2nd tier of British Speedway. Following from a successful 2010 Campaign, the Tigers hope to end their 8-year wait for the Premier League Title.

2011 Sheffield Tigers season
League2011 Premier League speedway
Premier League KOC2nd Round
Biggest win
  • Home:
     Tigers 59-31 Monarchs
  • Away:
     Tigers 53-40 Rebels
Biggest defeat
  • Home:
     Tigers 43-47 Rebels
  • Away:
     Tigers 35-55 Monarchs
Highest
averaged rider		 Josh Auty
2011 Sheffield Tigers season
Current team
Rider CMA
Josh Auty 8.09
Ricky Ashworth 8.00
Shane Parker 7.96
Emiliano Sanchez 6.47
Hugh Skidmore 5.89
Simon Lambert 4.00
Ashley Birks 3.20
Total 43.61

Close Season

After ending the 2010 campaign with the first team trophy (Premier League Pairs) since 2002, the Tigers will be hoping go one step further in 2011. For the 5th season running, The Tigers will be sponsored by local business Sheffield Window Centre for the following season. Following the AGM meeting over the weekend of the 20/21 November, the Tigers declared their intention to race over the 2011 however there will be a new look to Premier League Speedway. Local rivals Stoke Potters withdrew from the Premier League to race in the National League, while the Birmingham Brummies elected to move up to the Elite League. This allowed 2 new teams to enter, with the Leicester Lions successfully being granted entry after failing in 2010, and the Ipswich Witches deciding to swap league memberships with the Brummies to fill the allocated spots.[1] However, with the Elite League seemingly in turmoil with the withdrawals of the Coventry Bees and the Peterborough Panthers, the Elite League required 1 further team to be able to track a full season. The Kings Lynn Stars elected to join the speedway elite and therefore withdrew from the Premier League. This further allowed another entry to the Premier League, with the place being allocated to the Plymouth Devils.[2] This was later confirmed that no other teams will be granted entry to the Premier League, therefore completing the line-up for 2011.[3]

Team Building for 2011

Following the 2009 AGM, it was decided that a 42.50 points limit would be set for 3 years, with the 2011 season being the last. This was later confirmed at the current AGM. However, before the AGM took place the Tigers had already announced 2 riders who would be riding in the yellow and blue of the Tigers for 2011. On 22 October, Josh Auty was the first confirmed starter for his 3rd consecutive season for Sheffield.[4] Then on 3 November, Hugh Skidmore was the second confirmed starter for his 2nd full season with the Owlerton outfit.[5] Following Kings Lynn's election to the Elite League, Simon Lambert (Kings Lynn's Asset) became available and was snapped up by the tigers on 1 December as their 3rd signing for the 2011 season.[6] The same day, it was announced that club asset Emiliano Sanchez was recalled to the 2011 team.[7] Sanchez was loaned out to Redcar last year. Sanchez has not ridden for Sheffield since 2006. After weeks of talks with ex-captain Ricky Ashworth, it was announced on 6 December 2010 that Ricky would once again ride for Sheffield for his 10th successive year.[8] Due to his ten years with the Tigers, Ricky will now be due a Testimonial Meeting in 2011. The sixth signing was officially announced on 15 December to be current Sheffield Tigers Asset Shane Parker.[9] Although Shane has never ridden for the Tigers before, he became a Sheffield Asset when the Hull Vikings closed and Sheffield purchased all the current Hull Assets. After announcing Shane as the new number 1 for 2011, Shane announced that this would be his last season riding British Speedway before returning home to Australia. The Tigers septet was completed on 22 December with the signing of local rider Ashley Birks from Scunthorpe.[10] It isn't however confirmed whether it was a full transfer or a loan.

2011 Team Averages
Rider Current CMA Opening CMA May
CMA		 June
CMA		 July
CMA		 August
CMA		 September
CMA		 October
CMA		 Closing
CMA
Josh Auty 8.09 7.52 7.98 8.09
Ricky Ashworth 8.00 7.77 8.05 8.00
Shane Parker 7.96 7.95 7.82 7.96
Emiliano Sanchez 6.47 6.64 6.46 6.47
Hugh Skidmore 5.89 5.69 5.80 5.89
Simon Lambert 4.00 3.47 3.87 4.00
Ashley Birks 3.20 3.00 3.00 3.20

2011 Fixtures

Official Fixture List is yet to be produced. Therefore, no fixture list is yet available.
The opening fixture for the season was an inter-league challenge against local rivals Belle Vue Aces.[11] The meeting is the second meeting of the teams in as many years, as the Aces were the opening challenge meeting of the 2010 season.
It was also confirmed at the BSPA AGM that the Tigers would face the Edinburgh Monarchs in the 1st round of the 2011 Premier League KOC. No dates have yet been confirmed.

Premier League First Phase

Home Meetings
Sheffield Tigers51 - 41Berwick Bandits
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
1 Shane Parker2', 3, 0, 3, 1'9+2
2 Hugh Skidmore3, 1, 3, 2, 211
3 Ricky AshworthR, 3, 1, 26
4 Emiliano Sanchez1, 1, 3, 38
5 Josh Auty3, 3, 3, R9
6 Ashley Birks2', 0, 0, 13+1
7 Simon Lambert3, 1, 1, 05
1 Charlie Gjedde1, 2, 2, 27
2 Hynek StichauerR, 0, 2, 1'3+1
3 Kozza Smith3, 4^, 1, 3, 011
4 Josef Franc2', 1', 3, 2, 311+2
5 Lee Complin2, 2, 2, 1'7+1
6 Tamas Sike1, 0, 0, 12
7 Jade Mudgway0, 0, 0, 00
Sheffield Tigers56 - 35Newport Wasps
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
1 Shane Parker2', 2, 3, 2', 312+2
2 Hugh Skidmore3, 1', 3, 2'9+2
3 Ricky Ashworth1', 3, 3, 3, 111+1
4 Emiliano Sanchez2, 2', 2', 1'7+3
5 Josh AutyR, 3, R, 36
6 Ashley Birks3, F, Fx - Withdrawn3
7 Simon Lambert1, 3, 2', 0, 28+1
1 Leigh LanhamR, 1, 3, 1, 05
2 Robin Aspegren1, R, F, 2'3+1
3 Joe HainesR, 1', 0, 23+1
4 Kyle Legault3, 4^, 1, 3, 213
5 Kim Nilsson1', 3, F^, 04+1
6 Mark Jones2, 0, 1, 1'4+1
7 Todd Kurtz0, 2, 1, 03
Sheffield Tigers43 - 47Somerset Rebels
0 League Points Report 3 League Points
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
1 Shane Parker1, 3, 1', 3, 311+1
2 Hugh Skidmore0, 1, 3, 26
3 Ricky Ashworth3, 3, 3, R9
4 Emiliano Sanchez0, 0, 2', 24+1
5 Josh Auty3, 1, 3, F, 06
6 Simon Lambert3, 0, 0, 1, 04
7 Ashley Birks1, 0, 12
1 Travis McGowan2', 2, 2, 1', 1'8+3
2 Kyle HughesRider Replacement(5+2)
3 Christian Hefenbrock2, 3, R, 3, 3, 213
4 Sam Masters1', 2', 0, 14+2
5 Cory Gathercole2, 0, 1, 25
6 Dakota NorthFx, 1', 2, 2, 1', 2', 311+3
7 James Holders3, 2, 1', 06+1
Sheffield Tigers56 - 36Ipswich Witches
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
1 Shane Parker1', 3, 2, 17+1
2 Emiliano Sanchez2, 1, 2', 05+1
3 Josh Auty2', 0, 3, 38+1
4 Hugh Skidmore3, 1, 2', 2', 08+2
5 Ricky Ashworth3, 3, 3, 3, 315
6 Simon Lambert2', 1, 1, 37+1
7 Ashley Birks3, 0, 3, 06
1 Kevin Doolan3, 3, 4^, 2, 214
2 Taylor Poole0, 2', Fx, 02+1
3 Lasse Bjerre1, 0, 3, 2, 1'7+1
4 Morten Risager0, 2, 1, 14
5 Chris Schramm2, 2, 1^, 05
6 Jerran Hart0, 0, 00
7 Kyle Howarth (G)1, 1, 1, 1', 04+1
Sheffield Tigers52 - 44Glasgow Tigers
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
1 Shane Parker2', 3, 3, 3, 314+1
2 Emiliano Sanchez3, 1, 2, F6
3 Josh Auty0, 2', 2, 37+1
4 Hugh Skidmore3, 3, 1', 07+1
5 Ricky Ashworth3, 3, 2, 2', 015
6 Simon Lambert1, 2', 1', 15+2
7 Ashley Birks0, 1, 1', 13+1
1 Joe ScreenEF, 1, 3, 1, 1'6+1
2 Theo Pijper1, 0, 6^, 07
3 Christian Henry1', 1, 1', 36+2
4 James Grieves2, 0, 2, 6^10
5 Josh Grajczonek2, 2, 3, 0, 29
6 Nick Morris3, R, Fx, R3
7 Michal Rajkowski2', 0, 0, 2'4+2
Sheffield TigersvRedcar Bears
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvPlymouth Devils
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvNewcastle Diamonds
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvLeicester Lions
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvScunthorpe Scorpions
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvEdinburgh Monarchs
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvWorkington Comets
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield
Sheffield TigersvRye House Rockets
Owlerton Stadium, Sheffield

Away Meetings
Rye House Rockets46 - 44Sheffield Tigers
2 League Points Report 1 League Point
Hoddesdon Stadium, Hoddesdon
Workington Comets55 - 37Sheffield Tigers
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
Ipswich Witches53 - 38Sheffield Tigers
3 League Points Report 0 League Points
Plymouth Devils44 - 45Sheffield Tigers
0 League Points Report 3 League Points
St. Boniface Arena, Plymouth
Newcastle Diamonds49 - 44Sheffield Tigers
2 League Points Report 1 League Point
Brough Park Stadium, Newcastle
Newport Wasps48 - 44Sheffield Tigers
2 League Points Report 1 League Point
Somerset Rebels40 - 53Sheffield Tigers
0 League Points Report 4 League Points
Oak Tree Arena, Somerset
Redcar BearsvSheffield Tigers
South Tees Motorsport Park, Redcar
Berwick BanditsvSheffield Tigers
Scunthorpe ScorpionsvSheffield Tigers
Edinburgh MonarchsvSheffield Tigers
Leicester LionsvSheffield Tigers
Glasgow TigersP - PSheffield Tigers
Ashfield Stadium, Glasgow

Premier League Second Phase

The format and cut-off point for the split is made as each team reaches 10 home and 10 away matches. Group 1 will be teams placed 1st, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th, 12th and 14th - Group 2 is 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, 10th, 11th and 13th. Those additional 12 matches are then added onto the points gained from the 26 meetings in Round 1.

Premier League KOC

The Tigers were drawn against the Monarchs for the 1st round of the competition.

Round 1
Sheffield Tigers59 - 31Edinburgh Monarchs
Report
1 Ricky Ashworth3, 2', 2', 3, 313+2
2 Hugh Skidmore1, 3, 2, 39
3 Josh Auty3, 1, 3, 2'9+1
4 Emiliano Sanchez1, 0, 0, 34
5 Shane Parker3, 2', 3, 2', 2'12+3
6 Simon Lambert2, 3, 1, 3, 2'11+1
7 Ashley Birks1', 0, 01+1
1 Kevin WolbertEF, 3, 0, 14
2 Matthew Wethers2, 2', 3, 2, 13+1
3 Andrew Tully2, 1, 1, 15
4 Kalle Katajisto0, 0, 00
5 Craig Cook1', 1, 1', 03+2
6 Lee DickenEF, 0, 11
7 Kyle Howarth3, 2, 1, 2, 0, 0, 08
Edinburgh Monarchs55 - 35Sheffield Tigers
Report
1 Kevin Wolbert3, 3, 3, 3, 315
2 Matthew Wethers2', 2', 3, 18+2
3 Andrew Tully3, 1, 2', 39+1
4 Kalle Katajisto0, 3, 3, 17
5 Craig Cook3, 2, 3, 2', 111+1
6 Lee Dicken1', 0, F1+1
7 Kyle Howarth2, 2', Fx, F, 04+1
1 Ricky AshworthR, 2, 2, F4
2 Hugh Skidmore1, Fx, 1', 1', 03+2
3 Josh Auty1', 1, 0, 24+1
4 Emiliano SanchezFx, Fx - Withdrawn0
5 Shane Parker2, 3, 2, 3, 212
6 Simon Lambert3, 1, 2, 1, 1', 1, 2'11+2
7 Ashley BirksFx, 1, F1

Sheffield Tigers qualified for Round 2 by defeating the Edinburgh Monarchs 94-86 on aggregate.

Round 2
Sheffield TigersvWorkington Comets
Workington CometsvSheffield Tigers

Challenge Meetings

The first challenge of the season was an Inter-League meetings against local rivals Belle Vue Aces.

Sheffield Tigers37 - 53Belle Vue Aces
Josh Auty 11 Patrick Hougaard 12+2
Scunthorpe Scorpions43 - 47Sheffield Tigers
Tero Aarnio 12+1 Josh Auty 15+1
Sheffield Tigers59 - 35Scunthorpe Scorpions
Josh Auty 17+1 David Howe 11

League table
PosClubMHomeAwayFA+/-Pts
3W2WDL4W3WD1LL
1 Workington Comets 11 6 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 2 551 464 +87 29
2 Somerset Rebels 12 4 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 2 591 518 +73 29
3 Ipswich Witches 15 7 1 0 1 1 0 1 0 4 726 645 +81 29
4 Glasgow Tigers 9 5 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 1 451 373 +78 25
5 Sheffield Tigers 12 4 0 0 1 1 1 0 3 2 563 538 +25 22
6 Rye House Rockets 15 4 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 5 664 698 -34 20
7 Edinburgh Monarchs 9 4 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 445 381 +64 19
8 Scunthorpe Scorpions 15 3 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 7 637 743 -106 18
9 Berwick Bandits 13 3 2 0 1 0 0 1 1 5 590 604 -14 16
10 Redcar Bears 10 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 3 447 463 -16 14
11 Newcastle Diamonds 10 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 3 447 468 -21 12
12 Leicester Lions 11 2 0 1 3 0 1 0 1 3 483 524 -41 11
13 Newport Wasps 12 0 1 0 5 1 0 0 0 5 500 600 -100 6
14 Plymouth Devils 6 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 236 312 -76 3

Home: 3W = Home win by 7 points or more; 2W = Home win by between 1 and 6 points
Away: 4W = Away win by 7 points or more; 3W = Away win by between 1 and 6 points; 1L = Away loss by 6 points or less
M = Meetings; D = Draws; L = Losses; F = Race points for; A = Race points against; +/- = Race points difference; Pts = Total Points

Last updated: 31 May 2011

Source: BSPA

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References
  1. "British Speedway AGM - Key Points". BSPA. 21 November 2010. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  2. "Plymouth Make Premier Move". BSPA. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 29 November 2010.
  3. "British Speedway Statement". BSPA. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  4. "Auty Back in 2011". Sheffield Tigers. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  5. "Skidmore Signs on for 2011". Sheffield Tigers. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  6. "'Rambo' to ride again for Tigers". Sheffield Star. 1 December 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  7. "Sanchez Back". Speedway Star. 1 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
  8. "Ashworth Confirmed". Sheffield Tigers. 6 December 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  9. "Tigers Sign New Number One". Sheffield Tigers. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  10. "Birks Completes Tigers Septet". Sheffield Tigers. 22 December 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  11. "War of the Roses". Sheffield Tigers. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 1 December 2010.
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