Ipswich team manager Paul Hurry admits a practice day did Tom Brennan the world of good as he enjoyed an upturn in form as the Tru7 Group Witches went down 55-35 at Leicester on Monday.
It was a testing night for the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership champions, who lost the services of Richard Lawson just an hour before tapes up on a night when they were already operating rider replacement for injured skipper Danny King.
Polish star Tobiasz Musielak raced to a fantastic 15 paid 17 points for the Witches, while new signing Kevin Juhl Pedersen scored five on his first appearance as a full-time Ipswich rider.
Hurry was also buoyed by an eight-point return from Brennan, who achieved two wins and a second in his opening three races. It was a step in the right direction after a tough recent run for the double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion, and Hurry admits a day spent practising on Sunday made all the difference.
He said: “Tom is coming back into form. He just seemed a bit more relaxed in himself. There was less pressure. He had a practice day on Sunday, and it just made him feel good and confident. It took the pressure off him.
“He rode his bike all day. He just rode round and round and round. He didn’t really test anything. It was just bike time. That goes to show what riding can achieve. It works.”
With no facility available to cover for Lawson, Witches drafted in local racer Freddy Hodder as a guest. Hurry paid tribute to the Rugby-born Glasgow rider, who also represents the Leicester Lion Cubs at National League level.
He said: “I found out Richard wouldn’t be there at 6.30pm, so fair play to Freddy Hodder – I couldn’t have asked anything more from him. He came in, made starts and did the best job possible.
“The boys we had did their job. Tobi was Tobi – he did what he was capable of doing. Tobi and Tom did well. Kevin has never been there before, so you can’t expect too much from him, but he did well. I am really happy with him. He’s as keen as anything and wants to improve. That’s why we have kept him.”
The Witches return to Foxhall to face Leicester on Thursday, with advance tickets available online HERE. Cash is accepted at the turnstiles on race day, with card payments available at the entrance to the right, where fans with pre-paid tickets can also gain admission.
For those unable to make it to Foxhall, the Rowe Motor Oil Premiership clash can also be streamed on WitchesTV. CLICK HERE for more details.
FINAL SCORES
LEICESTER LIONS 55: 1. Josh Pickering 9+1, 2. Rider Replacement – Kyle Howarth, 3. Sam Masters 12+2, 4. Dan Thompson 7+2, 5. Nick Morris 7+1, 6. Drew Kemp 13+3, 7. Joe Thompson 7+1.
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES 35: 1. Tom Brennan 8, 2. Rider Replacement – Danny King, 3. Freddy Hodder 1, 4. Scott Nicholls 3+1, 5. Tobiasz Musielak 15+2, 6. Kevin Juhl Pedersen 5, 7. Jason Edwards 3.