Richard Sweetman continued his run of good form but unfortunately couldn’t stop Birmingham from going down to a 55-41 defeat at Sheffield.

With 14 + 1, the Australian top-scored for the second night running, but despite some backing from Tomas Piszcz with 13 + 1 and Jason Lyons with 9 + 1, the lack of points elsewhere proved costly.

Brummie hopes were high going into the fixture and a victory would have put them top of the Premier League table, but the Tigers were always in control throughout the meeting.

Birmingham were soon up against it and a blistering start by the Tigers saw them trailing 29-13 after seven races.

Sweetman nominated as a tactical ride did win Heat 8, but Sheffield quickly followed that up with successive 4-2s in Heats 9 and 10.

Tomasz Piszcz then went out in Heat 11 for double-points and some good team riding with Sweetman saw the Brummies duo hold on for an 8-1 over Josh Auty and Paul Cooper.

Unfortunately there was to be no late fight-back, as the Tigers then went 14 points in front with a 5-1 in Heat 12.

Piszcz and Jason Lyons restored some pride for Birmingham with a five-pointer in Heat 13, but a 5-1 from the Yorkshire side in Heat 14 wrapped up the Premier League points.

Sheffield (55): Richard Hall 14+1, Paul Cooper 8+1, Hugh Skidmore 8+1, Joel Parsons 8, Ricky Ashworth 7, Chris Mills 6+2, Josh Auty 4+1.

Birmingham (41): Richard Sweetman 14+1, Tomasz Piszcz 13+1, Jason Lyons 9+1, Robert Kseizak 4, Luke Priest 1, Manuel Hauzinger 0, Ludvig Lindgren 0