SCORECARD
KING’S LYNN 46: Niels-Kristian Iversen R/R, Richard Lawson 9, Chris Harris 3+1, Simon Lambert (G) 1, Jan Kvěch 18+1, Nicolai Klindt © 15+1, Jody Scott (G) (RS) 0. Team Manager: Rob Lyon
IPSWICH 44: Jason Doyle 9, Danny King © 5+2, Emil Sayfutdinov 5, Adam Ellis 4+2, Tom Brennan 9+2, Dan Thompson 10+1, Jason Edwards (G) (RS) 2+2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
REFEREE: M. Bates
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Ipswich | 16 | 28 |
| Sheffield | 14 | 26 |
| Belle Vue | 16 | 26 |
| Leicester | 15 | 22 |
| King’s Lynn | 16 | 14 |
| Oxford | 16 | 8 |
| Birmingham | 15 | 6 |
THE REPORT
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were narrowly defeated at King’s Lynn on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
The Witches had Jason Edwards deputising for the injured Jordan Jenkins whilst King’s Lynn were using rider replacement at number one for Niels-Kristian Iversen and Simon Lambert as a guest at number four for Ben Cook. The two sides exchanged several maximums in the meeting, but it was Ipswich who established an eight-point lead after nine races. However, the home team fought back to claim a two-point win on the night. Dan Thompson top scored with 10+1.
After a delayed start to allow the crowd in, the hosts registered a 4-2 in heat one as Danny King retired with a puncture. Heat two was shared before the away side hit a maximum in heat three thanks to Emil Sayfutdinov and Adam Ellis. The Stars responded in heat four with a 5-1 of their own to put them 13-11 ahead.
The visitors got the next of the maximums in heat five as Jason Doyle and King couldn’t be caught. After a long sun delay action resumed as Thompson and Tom Brennan raced to another maximum for the Witches. King’s Lynn picked up a heat advantage in heat seven before the points were shared in heat eight making it 22-26 overall.
The Brennan-Thompson partnership were at it again in heat nine as they secured another 5-1 to Ipswich. Jan Kvěch came out as a tactical substitute in heat 10 and it had the desired effect as he and Richard Lawson teamed up for a 5-1. Kvěch was back out in heat 11 and won again in a 3-3 and a 5-1 from the home team in heat 12 levelled the score at 36-36.
King’s Lynn went in front for the first time since heat four as they registered a 4-2 in heat 13 with Brennan managing to split the home pair. The points were shared in heat 14 and another 3-3 in heat 15 secured the win for the home team.
RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat at King’s Lynn…
“It was a disappointing away defeat after getting ourselves in a good position. The night started off tough with Danny and Dan both having punctures and shredding tubes. We managed to overcome that and get into a good position but after King’s Lynn used the tactical sub we dropped away at the end of the meeting. We are usually very strong in the final heats but tonight we weren’t. We couldn’t make starts and they got the better of us there.
“We didn’t make starts in the later heats, but the boys fought hard. The big turning point was in heat 12 when Emil had a bike problem on the start line and that doesn’t help when one of your main riders is out. A disappointing night for him but there were positives as well. Dan Thompson on a track he has found difficult had a very good performance at reserve and Tom had another good night.
“We will use this going into Thursday, tonight wasn’t vital, other than wanting to beat King’s Lynn, we are going to be in the play-offs at the end of the year looking to win the title. Thursday is a massive meeting, and we will use this disappointment to make sure we go away happy on Thursday.
“It was another extremely long meeting but that is the same for both sets of riders. We are an experienced, professional outfit and we should be able to cope with the delays, and it didn’t affect the result. More than anything it is not ideal for the fans and a lot were speaking to me after the meeting about how unhappy they were with it but result wise, it didn’t make any difference. We should be able to win these meetings, and it is disappointing, but we have bigger fish to fry this week and in the rest of the season.”
RIDER OF THE NIGHT
Fans online voted for Thompson who top scored from reserve with 10+1 from five rides.
WHAT IT MEANS
Ipswich stay top and King’s Lynn stay fifth, eight points behind the top four.
NEXT FIXTURE
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall on Thursday 17th July in a Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.
Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway