The difference between the two sides could be summed up in just two words, Ashworth and Wilson. The Tigers duo combined to record three 5-1 heat advantages for the visitors, which knocked the stuffing out of Somerset at crucial times in the meeting, just when it looked as if a Rebel fight back could be on the cards. The home fans had an early indication that it was not going to be their night, when Magnus 'Zorro' Zetterstrom made a sluggish start in the opening heat. The advantage was handed to the impressive Ashworth/Wilson combination, which gave Sheffield a lead that they were never to relinquish. Although the Rebels then did halve the deficit in heat two, Sheffield continually applied the pressure. They extended their lead, courtesy of maximum heat victories, whenever Ricky Ashworth and the new British under-21 champion, Ben Wilson, came to the tapes.  | | Stephan Katt and Andre Compton in heat nine |
Zetterstrom apart, Somerset had no real answer to the Tigers' superior gating and speed into the first bend. With Kyle Legault, who made an impressive debut at the Oak Tree Arena, and Paul Cooper adding a further 5-1 for good measure in heat 12, the Rebels were staring a home defeat in the eyes for the first time. A last throw of the dice by the Rebels saw Zetterstrom come out on a tactical ride in heat 13. Although he obliged with his third heat victory of the night, his partner, Glenn Cunningham, needed all his skill and knowledge of the Oak Tree Arena to snatch third place from Tiger skipper Andre Compton on the line. This left Somerset needing two maximum heat victories in the final two races to claim an improbable victory. Although Paul Fry showed a welcome resurgence in his form to take the chequered flag in heat 14, Sheffield sealed a deserved victory on the night. | 
