ROCKETS speedway team boss John Sampford was a very relieved man after Saturday's dramatic Young Shield victory over Sheffield.The usually laid back Sampford admitted afterwards: "I might look calm now, but I certainly wasn't during the last few heats! "I thought we tried everything to throw it away.

ROCKETS speedway team boss John Sampford was a very relieved man after Saturday's dramatic Young Shield victory over Sheffield.

The usually laid back Sampford admitted afterwards: "I might look calm now, but I certainly wasn't during the last few heats!

"I thought we tried everything to throw it away.

"We came through by the skin of our teeth but who cares now, be it one point or 20 getting through was all that mattered."

He also paid tribute to dogged opponents who kept fighting right to the final bend.

"They fought all the way. A few heads dropped when Sheffield got an 8-1 and then a 7-2 but they kept plugging away.

"When Luke [Bowen] came off in Heat 14 when we could have sewn it up, even then Sheffield were still in it.

"Thankfully Luke redeemed himself with the second place in Heat 15 but even that went right to the line."

The Rockets now face Scunthorpe over two legs for a place in the final and as Sampford explained Rye House will definitely be up for the challenge.

"It doesn't matter who they are, we have to beat them if we want win the trophy and end the season on a high note.