Brilliant Brummies reach Trophy final

A brilliant show from Birmingham saw them reached the Premier Trophy Final with three races to spare at Sheffield.

The injury-hit Perry Barr side again displayed all their battling qualities to win by four points on aggregate after a 53-37 defeat.

New signing Craig Watson was in inspired form with 13 and former Sheffield man James Birkinshaw haunted his former club for a second successive night, with 10+3 – making it 21+4 over both legs.

Jason Lyons’ second place in heat 12 was confirmation of Birmingham’s final ticket, against the winners of the other semi between Reading and Edinburgh.

Tigers finished strongly with two 5-1s as Brum took their foot off the gas. It was almost a third in the finale but skipper Andre Compton just failed to overhaul Watson and join Ben Wilson at the front in a titanic race.

Compton topped the home scorechart with backing from Wilson and reserve Lee Smethills, but the exit from another competition means the Owlerton side are left with only the Premier League title to aim for.