Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman has issued a rallying call to the Tru7 Group Witches as they head to Leicester, bidding to secure Rowe Motor Oil Premiership play-off qualification on Monday.
The Witches suffered a setback in their quest to secure a top-four finish, going down 49-41 at home to table-topping Belle Vue last Thursday.
But they can still confirm their place in the play-offs if they win or draw away to the Lions, with two league points needed to ensure they pip fifth-placed King’s Lynn into the play-offs. The Witches are on 22 points and the Stars have 20 with one fixture to race each.
Should the Stars win and take the aggregate bonus point away to basement club Northampton on Thursday, they will snatch the final spot in the play-offs if the Witches lose at Leicester.
Coleman is calling on the reigning Premiership champions to extend their title defence into the play-off rounds.
He said: “It was pretty frustrating that things didn’t go our way against Belle Vue last Thursday, or away to Northampton seven days prior. Both victories were there for the taking for us. But all is not lost, and we still have the chance to take matters into our own hands when it comes to reaching the play-offs.
“We could still make it if Northampton gets the better of King’s Lynn, and the Foxes have a much stronger side than the one that started the season. But it’s never ideal to be relying on favours from other clubs.
“If everyone fires, a win or draw at Leicester is well within the Witches’ capabilities, and especially after a number of close meetings against the Lions both at home and away this year.
“If the riders have anything left in the tank, this is the night to bring it. While we have had our ups and downs this year, it all starts from zero in the play-offs and how our season ends is still very much in our hands.
“I would urge the fans to get behind the Witches at Leicester if you can make it – because we will need as much support as we can get for what’s shaping up to be our biggest meeting of the season so far.”
Coverage of the Leicester clash can be streamed live via Lions TV HERE.
LEICESTER LIONS: 1. Ryan Douglas, 2. Drew Kemp, 3. Sam Masters (captain), 4. Dan Thompson, 5. Nick Morris, 6. Justin Sedgmen (guest), 7. Joe Thompson.
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Scott Nicholls, 3. Danny King (captain), 4. Tom Brennan, 5. Tobiasz Musielak, 6. Kevin Juhl Pedersen, 7. Jason Edwards.