Tigers win in Wales

TIGERS banished their away-day blues with a convincing victory in South Wales on Sunday lunchtime.With the aggregate bonus point also secured, the Owlerton outfit are now right on the heels of the Premier League leaders and able to look forward to the rest of the campaign with optimism.All three heat leaders were on good form at the Hayley Stadium - exactly the area of the team where Newport struggled, although the home side did get off to a good start when Danish newcomer Henrik Vedel beat Sean Wilson to win Heat 1.That began a run of four consecutive shared heats, but it was the events of Heat 7 which turned the match significantly in Sheffield's favour.Tigers went into the race with a two point lead thanks to a 4-2 in Heat 5, but a second race win for the impressive Ricky Ashworth was backed up by second spot for Richard Hall in a 5-1 - and Newport lost the services of star man Mads Korneliussen who aggravated an existing shoulder injury and took no further part in the meeting.That meant Tigers were always favourites to pull clear in the closing stages, despite the considerable efforts of veteran Neil Collins who again belied his years and deprived Ashworth of a maximum by winning Heat 12.But Wilson and Andre Compton virtually guaranteed an away win with a 5-1 in Heat 13, and Hall and Kyle Legault confirmed the result by teaming up for maximum points in the penultimate race as Newport used Lee Dicken for double points.Dicken had beaten both Sean and Ben Wilson in Heat 11 as the Wasps reserves had a busy afternoon, with the home side also having to cover for the absent Michael Coles with rider replacement.Tigers, however, had strength all the way through the order and promoter Neil Machin will be pleased that there were no slip-ups on a day when the team performed at a high standard throughout. NEWPORT: Neil Collins 11+1, Tony Atkin 8, Lee Dicken 7+1, Henrik Vedel 6+2, Mads Korneliussen 3, Karlis Ezergailis 3, r/r for Michael Coles. TIGERS: Andre Compton 12+1, Sean Wilson 11+1, Ricky Ashworth 10+1, Ben Wilson 6+2, Kyle Legault 6+2, Richard Hall 5+1, Paul Cooper 3+1.