By Henry Chard
All the details ahead of our Premiership fixture with Peterborough.
WHEN & WHERE
The ‘Tru Plant’ Witches travel to Peterborough to face the Panthers at the East of England Arena & Events Centre on Monday 6th September in a Premiership fixture that starts at 7.30pm.
TEAMS
PETERBOROUGH: 1. R/R for Ulrich Ostergaard 7.09 2. Bjarne Pedersen 6.41 3. Michael Palm Toft 6.83 4. Scott Nicholls 6.37 © 5. Chris Harris 6.37 6. Jack Thomas (g) (RS) 7. Hans Andersen 6.20. Team Manager: Rob Lyon
IPSWICH: 1. Danny King 7.46 © 2. Paul Starke 4.85 3. Jason Crump 5.54 4. Jake Allen 4.88 5. Craig Cook 7.23 6. Anders Rowe 4.84 7. Drew Kemp (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
REFEREE: M. Bates
PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Wolverhampton | 18 | 49 |
| Peterborough | 15 | 40 |
| Belle Vue | 18 | 31 |
| Sheffield | 15 | 28 |
| Ipswich | 19 | 18 |
| King’s Lynn | 15 | 10 |
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased online here. Details on covid regulations at the stadium can be found here.
THE STORY
The Witches end their season on Monday night when they face Peterborough at the East of England Arena & Events Centre. Ipswich have endured a highly disappointing campaign and have nothing to race for but pride with the play-offs out of reach. The Suffolk side have lost five meetings on the bounce going into this fixture and were heavily beaten by the Panthers in their last outing at Foxhall. They will take heart from their trip to Peterborough earlier this season where they picked up a consolation point after a 43-47 defeat.
The away side will be at full strength as they welcome back Jake Allen to the team after he missed last week’s encounter due to feeling the effects of his Covid-19 jab. Danny King will be looking to finish his excellent season on a high with the Witches. The skipper’s form in 2021 has seen him move to the number one spot and he has been a bright spot in a difficult season for the club. Monday provides a chance to finish the campaign on a high note and send the travelling support home with something to cheer about going into the off-season.
HAWKINS PREVIEW
Ipswich ‘Tru Plant’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives his pre-match thoughts…
“We will look forward to going to Peterborough, a great racetrack and everyone will enjoy racing there. We have got one more chance to perform and one last opportunity to show what we are capable of.
“I guess there is less pressure on us. In general, away from home our form has been better than our home form. The chance is there to enjoy ourselves on a great racetrack and hopefully the boys will be looking forward to it.”
THE OPPOSITION
Peterborough are flying in 2021 and have top spot in their sights having already confirmed their place in the play-offs. Written off by many at the start of the season for their experienced line-up, the Panthers have proved many wrong and are closing in on league leaders Wolverhampton after their thumping win at Foxhall last week. The hosts have been beaten twice on home shale this season with both defeats coming against the Belle Vue Aces.
Strength in depth has been key to their success this season and that was evident last Thursday as former Grand Prix rider Hans Andersen racked up 15+2 from reserve and he is likely to have some extra rides again on Monday. Peterborough are without Ulrich Ostergaard and Jordan Palin due to injury with rider replacement in operation at number one and Jack Thomas deputising in the ‘Rising Star’ position. Bjarne Pedersen returns to the side after his mandatory seven-day suspension after being absent due to illness.
AWAY DAYS
An adult ticket costs £20, concessions £18, children (under 16) £8 and children under the age of 5 go free. Official programmes cost £3 with car parking priced at £1. Facilities include a 2200 capacity grandstand, grass banking on the back straight, fast food outlets on the grandstand side of the track and a licensed bar. For travel information head here.
For more information about the club head to Peterborough’s official website.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway