Ipswich legend Scott Nicholls believes the Tru7 Group Witches can revel in the role of Rowe Motor Oil Premiership play-off underdogs ahead of their 75th anniversary celebration meeting on Thursday.
Nicholls sits out with a broken collarbone as the Witches take on Leicester at Foxhall, with former Ipswich favourite Adam Ellis guesting in his place – just two weeks after scoring 20 points for Northampton at Foxhall.
Thursday’s match doubles as a 75-year celebration of the Witches, who debuted at Foxhall in 1951. The night will feature a second half raced on vintage bikes, including rides from team manager Paul Hurry and rising star Jason Edwards. A galaxy of former Witches stars will be in attendance and there will be displays of Ipswich race jackets over the years and vintage bikes.
Having debuted for the Witches in 1995, and followed them from the Foxhall terraces long before then, Nicholls is delighted to be part of the club in its 75th anniversary year. As he bids to get back on track for the business end of the season, he is hopeful of lining up in the league-title play-offs for the Foxhall side.
While the Witches are the reigning Rowe Motor Oil Premiership champions, Nicholls believes the underdog tag suits his side if they reach the play-offs by retaining their spot in the top four.
He said: “First and foremost, we have to gun for the play-offs. I think that is a realistic chance for us. You have to be honest; if we get into it, we would be going in perhaps as the underdogs, but I think that would be great. It takes the pressure off.
“When it comes to the play-offs, anything can happen. The underdogs could pull out a surprise.”
Nicholls believes Tom Brennan’s move from the No.1 position to No.4 can only benefit both rider and club at such a crucial time.
He said: “We’ve had a little shift in the team, and I think Tom moving out of the No.1 position will help him massively.
“I have been there. Even if you don’t feel there is pressure, subconsciously you feel it. As soon as you put the No.1 on your back, and you are out in heat one off the outside gate, with all your teammates looking at you to deliver, that’s pressure.
“The timing could work well with him moving into the middle order. If he can find a bit of form, that could swing in our favour.”
Nicholls is determined to fight his way back on track for the closing weeks of the season but is currently awaiting scan results after seeking further assessment of his collarbone injury.
He said: “I was hoping to be further ahead than I am at the minute, but it keeps moving all the time, which it wasn’t doing when I first did it.
“I don’t know whether I have done something to unsettle or aggravate it, but it is giving me more grief now than it was on the day I broke it.
“I am trying to get a scan done to see if there is anything else going on that possibly needs to be addressed differently in terms of treatment.
“I am doing what I can. I want to try and get back and get some meetings in before the season wraps up.”
Advance tickets for Witches’ 75-year celebration against Leicester are available online HERE now, with cash accepted at turnstiles on race day and credit card payments available at the entrance to the right.
Those who can’t make it to Foxhall can follow the racing live on WitchesTV HERE.
STARTING LINE-UPS
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Adam Ellis (guest), 3. Danny King (captain), 4. Tom Brennan, 5. Tobiasz Musielak, 6. Kevin Juhl Pedersen, 7. Jason Edwards.
LEICESTER LIONS: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Drew Kemp, 3. Rider Replacement – Nick Morris, 4. Dan Thompson, 5. Sam Masters (captain), 6. Lewis Kerr (guest), 7. Joe Thompson.