The ‘Tru7.com’ Witches are quickly back in action over the Easter period as they face local rivals Peterborough Panthers on Easter Monday at The East of England Showground (3.00pm).
The two sides faced each other at Foxhall on Saturday with the Witches running out comfortable winners on the night recording a 60-32 win.
It is the same Witches seven for the trip to the Showground as Connor Mountain and Danyon Hume switch positions at reserve once again.
The Panthers have been hit by injuries in the past few days and will be without Kenneth Hansen once again on Monday due to illness. Rider Replacement will be in operation at number five. Paul Starke also picked up an injury at Foxhall on Saturday and is not fit to take his place in the side. Sheffield’s Lasse Bjerre will guest at number three.
It has been mixed fortunes for the Witches at Peterborough in recent years with the Suffolk side registering two wins and three defeats in the last five visits.
It is sure to be a fiercely competitive clash once again at the Showground with plenty of Witches fans expected to make the short journey to their local rivals.
Team Manager Ritchie Hawkins says his side need to take their home form into away meetings starting at Peterborough.
“We have got two away meetings now and we have got to go into them looking for wins,” said Hawkins. “I’m sure Peterborough will have a strong side out on Monday on their home track. They will be out for revenge and it will be a real tough day. We are very confident at home and everyone is having a great time but we need to take that on the road with us.”
The boss believes reserve duo of Hume and Mountain will take confidence from their performance at the Showground in the British U21 semi-final last week.
“Danyon and Connor had a great practice there last week, they were both superb so I think they will be looking forward to it and it will get their confidence up. I think everyone enjoys going to Peterborough and racing. Danny (King) is a track expert and everyone will enjoy riding there. It’s one of those meetings that everyone will be up for getting a result and hopefully a win.”
Hawkins is hoping his side can send the travelling supporters home happy come 5 o’clock.
“We have had good results against them and we always have good travelling support there which always makes it special down that back straight. Hopefully we can flood it with Witches fans and celebrate together at the end of the meeting like we have done in the past. It will be one of the highlights of the year and it will boost everyone. We are building a good atmosphere and it will only help us so hopefully there will be a lot of people supporting us on Monday and we can celebrate together.”
Words: Henry Chard
Peterborough ‘T Balfe Construction’ Panthers:
1. Jack Holder 7.16
2. Simon Lambert 5.25
3. Lasse Bjerre (g) 6.64
4. Ulrich Ostergaard (c) 7.14
5. R/R for Kenneth Hansen 6.74
6. Bradley Wilson-Dean 5.02
7. Tom Bacon 2.00
Team Manager: Carl Johnson
Ipswich ‘Tru7.com’ Witches:
1. Danny King (c) 9.57
2. James Sarjeant 5.66
3. Nico Covatti 7.49
4. Cameron Heeps 5.07
5. Rory Schlein 7.17
6. Danyon Hume 2.00
7. Connor Mountain 2.00
Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
Referee: A. Steele
Parade: Monday, 3.00pm
Venue: East of England Showground, PE2 6XE
Championship Table
| Team | Pl | Pts |
| Glasgow | 4 | 10 |
| Edinburgh | 3 | 9 |
| Sheffield | 4 | 6 |
| Workington | 2 | 6 |
| Witches | 3 | 6 |
| Peterborough | 3 | 6 |
| Scunthorpe | 6 | 4 |
| Newcastle | 2 | 3 |
| Redcar | 0 | 0 |
| Berwick | 5 | 0 |
Last five results at Peterborough:
30.05.16 L36-56
22.05.16 L45-48
12.06.15 W46-44
06.04.15 L37-56
19.08.14 W47-42
Peterborough Factfile
Main Sponsor: T. Balfe Construction
Team Colours: Red, white and black
Race-Night: Sunday (afternoon)
Website: www.peterboroughpanthers.co
Track Length: 336 metres
Track Record: 58.4 seconds (Krzysztof Kasprzak, 20th September 2010)
Admission Prices:
Adults: £16
Concessions (Over 65s and Students): £13
Juniors (aged 10-16): £5
Children (under 10): Free (with adult)
Programme: £3
Car Parking: £1
Stadium Address
Peterborough Speedway, East of England Showground, Alwalton, Peterborough, PE2 6XE
Telephone: 07760 162164
By Train: The nearest station is Peterborough, which is on the mainline from London King’s Cross to Scotland. The East of England Showground is five miles from the station.