Soren Sjosten had broken his leg at Newport in a second half crash the week before and Bengt
Larsson had been recalled for domestic duty so both teams utilized rider replacement.
The following is Frank MacLean's editorial from the Speedway Star and News Vo.16 No.13The words fail me. For once I am at a loss in finding suitable adjectives to describe one of the finest and most exciting matches ever seen at Hyde Road. This was sheer speedway. Classical stuff and a promoter's dream and behind it all the subtle tactical moves of old masters Frank Varey and Dent Oliver. Never in recent years have I seen so many overtakes - seven in one lap of heat 10 - and close finishes as in this memorable match. And that derby match crowd! More war than roses between the Lancashire and Yorkshire fans who raised the roof in support of their teams.
Story in a nutshell. Visiting Sheffield, using Dews at reserve for absent Larsson, halved heats 1 and 2 helped by Roper and Nevitt's machine failures. Haley outpaced Maidment in a thriller but Yacoby beat Dews and Jay to level out. Haley came back with Bales to put Tigers in front by two points. Four shared heats then Levai and Maidment scored a 4-2 for 30-all points. Tension and tingling excitement for heat 11 but Sheffield protest when the race is stopped - Nevitt left at tapes - but protests fade when Dews and Bales get away in the re-run for a 5-1 and the four points prove to be match winners for Sheffield. Belle Vue are four points down with two heats to go. Levai is given a ride in heat 12 but Haley is there and when Woodcock drops out with a motor fault Sheffield score a 4-2 and their jubilant fans celebrate their first ever win at sunny Hyde Road.
Maidment and Roper narrow the gap in the last race but by that time the Sheffield riders are already starting a lap of honour on Belle Vue's tractor. Highlights? Perhaps if I had three of four pages and not just a couple of paragraphs I could do justice to the incidents and highlights. Man of the match? Every one of the riders in this never to be forgotten clash between Sheffield and Belle Vue.