LEICESTER missed out on a third straight Grand Final despite a remarkable effort in their home leg against Sheffield on Thursday.
The Watling JCB Lions managed to chip away at their 24 point aggregate deficit to set up a deciding Super Heat - and despite temporarily being sat in a favourable position on lap two, the hosts eventually missed out.
Many had written off Leicester’s chances in the build-up - but Stewart Dickson’s side had other ideas and played their part in one of British Speedway’s all-time classic play-off contests.
After former No.1 Max Fricke won a shared opener guesting for Sheffield, the Lions then reeled off four straight advantages, two leg by Rising Star Joe Thompson, as they moved to within ten on aggregate.
Sheffield skipper Josh Pickering then ended the Lions’ run in Heat Six before another inspirational period saw them draw level overall.
Nick Morris and guest reserve Paco Castagna recorded a 4-2 before Drew Kemp and Thompson scored a 5-1 in Heat Eight.
Thompson then led a 4-2 to maintain his unbeaten start in Heat Nine before Ryan Douglas and Kemp then combined to level the aggregate scores at 75 points apiece.
Sheffield landed their first advantage in Heat 11 before Sam Masters linked up with Thompson for a response in the twelfth.
Leicester took the minor placings in Heats 13 and 14 - as well as in Heat 15 with the sides still unable to be separated.
Douglas and Nick Morris temporarily sat on an all important Super Heat advantage on lap one of bend two, but Douglas was instantly re-passed by Fricke before Pickering got the better of Morris into bend three as the Lions bowed out at the semi-final stage, despite a stunning second leg effort at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park.
Team manager Stewart Dickson said: “Proud is the word the immediately comes to the forefront.
“All six of them put in a sterling performance in the absence of Dan Thompson (training injury) and I hope none of them feel disappointed.
“None of them have let the team down or anything like that - they got us back into that position.
“But the closer you get, the bigger the disappointment and that was always the worry.
“Entertainment wise, engagement wise, that was a proper speedway contest.
“It’s just a shame we couldn’t quite get it done for Leicester - but I do wish Sheffield all the best in the final.”
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP, PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL, 2nd Leg LEICESTER 57: Joe Thompson 14+1, Ryan Douglas 13+1, Nick Morris 11+4, Sam Masters 9+1, Drew Kemp 7+1, Paco Castagna 3+1, Dan Thompson R/R.
SHEFFIELD 33: Max Fricke 13, Chris Holder 6, Josh Pickering 5, Leon Flint 5, Anders Rowe 2, Luke Killeen 2, Jye Etheridge 0.
Aggregate scores tied 90-90. Sheffield win Super Heat 6-3
