Speedway report: Sheffield Tigers 45 Ipswich Witches 45

Ht 2 Joe Jacobs Leads Arthur Sissis and Nathan Greaves

After a month on the sidelines with an arm injury, the exciting ace put in a breathtaking display in an action-packed encounter.

But his last-heat heroics were eventually needed to prevent them from suffering another defeat after he was left as the sole Sheffield representative in a tense heat 15 decider.

Garrity had blasted clear in the penultimate race to leave the scores level – and when he flew from the start in the final race alongside Simon Stead they appeared set for last-gasp glory.

Yet skipper Stead lifted violently exiting turn two on the opening lap and collected the front wheel of former Tigers man Nico Covatti.

With Stead excluded from the rerun, it was all down to Garrity who held his nerve to see off British Champion Danny King under heavy pressure and cap off a faultless individual performance.

He was the star throughout on a night of fierce action, going wheel to wheel with King in heat five to record his second of five wins.

Garrity also gave them breathing space as Frenchman Dimitri Berge sprung to life to partner him for a 5-1 in heat nine.

Yet the visitors hit back in heat 11 to set up a tense finale, with Garrity’s heroics not enough to prevent their winless run extending to five meetings.

There were certainly positives for the Tigers, with Garrity’s remarkable return a welcome boost whilst young gun Josh Bates was in the thick of the action following a tough run of form.

Bates pulled off the manoeuvre of the night to somehow squeeze around Joe Jacobs for second place in heat eight as he bagged eight points.

The Tigers will be back in action aiming for a much-needed win against top of the table Somerset in a mouth-watering encounter at Owlerton next Thursday (7.30).

SHEFFIELD 45: Jason Garrity 15, Simon Stead 8+2, Josh Bates 8, Dimitri Berge 5+1, Kyle Howarth 3+1, Nathan Greaves 3+1, Arthur Sissis 3.

IPSWICH 45: Danny King 12, Nico Covatti 10+2, Joe Jacobs 7+1, James Sarjeant 6+2, Ben Barker 6, Morten Risager 4+1, Jake Knight 0.