Rollercoaster of disappointment and joy for Tigers

TEAM success but individual disappointment was the story of last weekend as Middlesbrough Tigers lifted themselves off the bottom of the National Development League with a record-breaking home win.

- By KEITH MCGHIE

But Jake Mulford and Ace Pijper were both out of luck at the British Under-21 Championship in Glasgow, won for the second successive year by Essex-rider Sam Hagon.

The Heat Floors Tigers overwhelmed a weakened Steelers side from Scunthorpe and Sheffield, providing 10 of the 15 race winners at a dry and dusty ECCO Arena.

Tom Spencer and Ace Pijper were only denied maximums in the closing stages, as six maximum heat wins helped the Tigers to an unassailable 26-point lead after 12 heats.

Additionally, Kai Ward managed a career best paid 12-point (9+3) haul and a vastly improved performance from hitherto struggling skipper Danny Phillips (8) kept the pressure on a Lincolnshire outfit which relied heavily on the Championship experience of former Redcar rider Luke Harrison.