PREMIERSHIP: Cook set for Spires debut away to Sheffield

Former British Champion Craig Cook will make his Oxford Spires debut on Thursday evening when the club faces defending ROWE Motor Oil Premiership champions Sheffield Tigers.

Fresh from last week’s 47-43 victory over King’s Lynn Stars, Spires will track a new one to seven in Yorkshire after Cook signed on a 28-day agreement in place of the injured Lewis Kerr.

He joins rising British star Ashton Boughen at reserve while fellow newbie Erik Riss steps into the number two role by partnering with Maciej Janowski. Charles Wright, Rohan Tungate and Chris Harris complete the squad.

With Sheffield losing only one home fixture in the last year, Spires team manager Peter Schroeck is expecting a tough challenge when tapes rise but has backed his team to push the champions all the way.

“Sheffield have been hit by the weather this season but when they have raced, they’ve proven to be a strong force,” said Schroeck. “There’s little home form to go on, but form is irrelevant when you have the strength in depth they do.

“As we say every week avoiding last places is the key to success. With Craig (Cook) joining the squad for the rest of the month and Erik (Riss) in the main body of the team we have a great group of riders proven at this level.

“It will be a challenge taking on the champions on their own track. But this is why we stepped up into the top flight, we want to take on and compete with the best.”

Tapes-up at Owlerton Stadium on Thursday evening is at 7.30pm.

Sheffield Tigers: Jack Holder, Kyle Howarth, Chris Holder, Josh Pickering, Tai Woffinden, Jason Edwards, Dan Gilkes.

Oxford Spires: Maciej Janowski, Erik Riss, Charles Wright, Rohan Tungate, Chris Harris, Craig Cook, Ashton Boughen.