A TRIO of costly tapes exclusions proved decisive as Sheffield trumped Poole Comets 93-84 in the Elite League.

Pete Barnes’s side was strengthened by Ben Donahue’s return from injury but even a 20-point maximum from club captain Greg Gluchowski failed to tame the title-chasing visitors at Harbourside Park.

Poole’s sorry afternoon started in the opening race when Arek Szymanski was judged to have jumped the start, gifting the visitors a five point-lead that the Stars held on to throughout.

Tempers flared on track during heat 10 with Donohue and Sheffield’s Gavin Parr involved in a race-long duel that ended with both riders needing to be separated after the chequered flag.

Poole pulled themselves back into the match thanks to Gluchowski and Harris in heat 11 before Szymanski raced home to win heat 12, closing the gap to three.

However, heat 13 proved to be unlucky for Poole when a hotly-disputed tapes infringement by Gavin Wheeler put an end to Comets’ comeback.

And any remaining hope was finally extinguished in heat 16 when Aaron Smith picked up another tape exclusion to round off a miserable day at the office.

“The three tape exclusions did us no favours” said Barnes “We were always playing catch up throughout the match.

“Greg Gluchowski was immaculate and Ben Donahue gave a real fighting performance on his comeback after a long injury but I felt those exclusions cost us dearly. “

Poole: Greg Gluchowski 20, Steve Harris 15, Arek Szymanski 13, Gavin Wheeler 11, Hayden Chant 8, Ben Donohue 7, Will Bristowe 5, Aaron Smith 5.

Sheffield: Radek Handke 17, Myke Grimes 16, Damian Zareba 15, Andy Angell 15, Gavin Parr 11, Mason Phillips 8, Kyle Holland 6, Jason Burke 5.