Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

LOUIS: REVENGE OVER TIGERS WOULD BE VERY SWEET

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches promoter, Chris Louis, has said revenge is very much in the air as the Witches and Sheffield Tigers go head-to-head in the Knockout Cup final next week.

The two sides meet in South Yorkshire on Monday night in the first leg, before the second leg return at Foxhall next Thursday. Both teams will be desperate to lift major silverware. And Louis wants his side firing on all cylinders, knowing a big Foxhall crowd can help make the difference.

“I have many reasons to want to beat Sheffield,” Louis said.

“They beat us in the Championship play-off final back in 2017, dancing around at our place after winning it. I don’t want that happening again. Revenge would be very sweet.

“This season we’ve stuck by our riders, even though we cop a lot of flak for doing so, while they have made multiple changes. It would be good to show that a bit of loyalty does pay off.

“As a team we have entertained people up and down the country, including Sheffield, with our top two riders in the country in Emil (Sayfutdinov) and Jason (Doyle) bringing in the crowds.

“Our fans have been superb all season. They deserve the glory, as does the team.”

Louis is also hoping the current sporting wave of optimism sweeping Ipswich right now, with the football team starting the season well in the Championship, will see fans of the football club lend their support to the Witches.

“I’ve been delighted to see Ipswich Town start the season so well,” Louis said. “And I know there is no game this week for the Blues because of the international break. It would be wonderful to see Ipswich Town fans give us a look next Thursday in a big cup final – even if it was for the first time. Both teams are very supportive of each other.”

The Witches and Tigers have beaten each other at home twice this season in close encounters, while both teams have world champions in their line-ups, Doyle for Ipswich and Chris Holder for Sheffield. It all has the potential for two cracking ties.

The Witches last won the Knockout Cup in 1998 when it was Louis himself who lifted the trophy in a season the all-conquering Suffolk side won the treble of cup, league, and Craven Shield.

“That was far too long ago now,” Louis added. “It’s about time it was our time again. I know our team will give it their all and with a loud and boisterous Foxhall crowd behind us, as we have seen on occasions this season, I believe we can do it.”

Admission for fans on race night at Foxhall: Adults (17+) £22, concessions (65+) £20, children (16 and under) free, car parking is also free.

Sheffield Tigers v Ipswich Witches, Knockout Cup final, first leg, Owlerton Stadium, Monday, Sept 11, 7.30pm.

IPSWICH WITCHES v SHEFFIELD TIGERS, Knockout Cup final, second leg, Foxhall Stadium, Thursday, Sept 14, 7.30pm.

RACEDAY REPORT: KING’S LYNN 44-46 IPSWICH – SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2 (A)

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Picture courtesy of Ian Burt

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

KING’S LYNN 44: Robert Lambert 15, Nicolai Klindt R/R, Emil Breum 0 (Withdrawn), Connor Mountain (G) 3, Michael Palm Toft 2+1, Simon Lambert © 15+2, Anders Rowe (RS) 9+2. Team Manager: David Hoggart

IPSWICH 46: Emil Sayfutdinov 14, Danyon Hume 3, Danny King © 10, Erik Riss 2, Jason Doyle 10+2, Keynan Rew 6+3, Ashton Boughen (G) (RS) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Gay

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue2444
Wolverhampton2237
Sheffield2335
Ipswich2434
Leicester2334
Peterborough2111
King’s Lynn239

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches finished their Sports Insure Premiership league campaign with a narrow victory at East Anglian rivals King’s Lynn on Monday night.

The visitors were without the injured Dan Thompson in the Rising Star position with Ashton Boughen guesting in his place whilst the struggling hosts were missing Nicolai Klindt and Thomas Jorgensen through injury. The away side knew they needed a win to move into the top four and put pressure on Leicester, but it was the Stars who led by four points after eight races. Ipswich stepped it up in the next few races to put themselves six points in front before King’s Lynn took it to a last-heat decider. Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle were both in the points in heat 15 to secure a big two league points as well as the aggregate bonus point. Sayfutdinov top scored with 14.  

Sayfutdinov won a shared heat one before the Stars hit a maximum in heat two. Skipper Danny King won heat three ahead of Stars guest Connor Mountain and Erik Riss picked up a point to reduce the deficit to two points. There was a 3-3 in heat four leaving the Stars 13-11 up after the early exchanges.

The scores were level after heat five as Sayfutdinov took victory and Danyon Hume came in third. King’s Lynn went back in front in heat six though with a 4-2 of their own. King took the chequered flag again in a shared heat seven before the home team recorded a heat advantage to put them 26-22 in front.

It was all square again after heat nine as Doyle and Keynan Rew raced to a maximum. The Suffolk side then went in front in heat 10 as King took his third victory of the night and Robert Lambert retired with machinery issues. The lead was extended in heat 11 as Sayfutdinov and Rew banged in another 1-5. King’s Lynn brought in Robert Lambert as a tactical substitute and Simon Lambert as a replacement for the withdrawn Emil Breum in heat 12 and they recorded a 5-1 to make it 35-37 with three to race.

Ipswich edged towards the win with a crucial maximum in heat 13 from the dependable duo of Sayfutdinov and Doyle. However, Rew fell in heat 14 and was excluded and the home side recorded a 5-1 in the re-run to take it to a last-heat decider. Robert Lambert won the final race but with Sayfutdinov and Doyle in the points it secured another win in the East Anglian derby for Ipswich and a vital three league points in the race for the play-offs.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win at King’s Lynn.

“Another win at Lynn and I’m really proud of the boys and how determined they were. They stuck with it throughout the meeting and Lynn tried everything to get the better of us tonight and tried every trick in the book really as they have done all season, but we managed to get another win and I’m super proud of how they’ve been over the last six weeks or so. That is seven wins in eight to finish the league season and we look forward to the cup final next week now.

“We should have been here two weeks ago and got the win already, but we were made to wait. It was a dubious decision with Breum who was withdrawn tonight, we all know what is going on, but nothing is going to be done about it. We had to stick with it, and we did, and we got the win.

“The heat leaders did great and to be fair everyone scored and contributed. I thought the effort Keynan put in at reserve was superb and if he can put everything like that into every meeting then next season you will really see him push on and it could well be key for the cup final.

“It looks like we might miss out on the play-offs by one or two points, and I definitely think that home defeat to Belle Vue was really costly, and we thought that at the time.

“So many Ipswich fans here again and you know Ipswich are in town because wherever we go, we have massive crowds, and we have a tremendous following. I went to see quite a few of them after the meeting and thanked them and for anyone I didn’t see thank you for coming, we all appreciate it and I’m glad we sent you home happy.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Sayfutdinov was once again in sensational form top scoring and producing in the big moments.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up three points that moves them into fourth and waiting on the result of Leicester’s final league meeting to see if they make the play-offs. King’s Lynn go bottom of the table.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to South Yorkshire on Monday 11th September to take on the Sheffield Tigers at Owlerton in the Knockout Cup final first leg. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN – SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2 (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Sports Insure Premiership R2 fixture with King’s Lynn.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to face the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday 4th September in a Sports Insure Premiership R2 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

KING’S LYNN: 1. Robert Lambert 7.81 2. R/R for Nicolai Klindt 6.89 3. Emil Breum 5.00 4. Connor Mountain (G) 5.04 5. Michael Palm Toft 6.38 6. Simon Lambert 4.25 © 7. Anders Rowe (RS). Team Manager: David Hoggart

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 10.14 2. Danyon Hume 4.00 3. Danny King 7.03 © 4. Erik Riss 5.03 5. Jason Doyle 9.21 6. Keynan Rew 4.00 7. Ashton Boughen (G) (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Gay

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue2444
Wolverhampton2135
Sheffield2235
Leicester2232
Ipswich2331
King’s Lynn229
Peterborough208

TICKETS

Tickets are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Norfolk on Monday to take on the King’s Lynn Stars in their final Sports Insure Premiership fixture of the league campaign.

The two sides were due to meet at the Adrian Flux Arena last month before the Stars postponed the fixture claiming they were ‘unable to field a competitive team’ before announcing the signing of Robert Lambert the next day.

The East Anglian rivals met at Foxhall in August with a five-man Witches side recording a 12-point win against a patched-up Stars side. The Suffolk side need to pick up all three points on offer to put them in the play-off places before waiting to see if Leicester can overhaul them in their final two fixtures.  

The visitors will be without Rising Star Dan Thompson due to his dislocated shoulder with youngster Ashton Boughen guesting in his place. There is also a change in the riding order with Danyon Hume moving up to number two as Keynan Rew drops to reserve. Erik Riss rides at number four.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“Our final league match of the year and we go to King’s Lynn looking for another win and three points. I have been really pleased with the determination shown by the boys to turn it around over the last six weeks and that has brought great confidence. We will go there looking to pick up three points and leave Leicester needing three points from their last two away fixtures to stop us getting in the play-offs.  

“We talk a lot about the rivalry but there is a bigger picture to look at going into this meeting now. The main point is putting as much pressure on Leicester as possible in the race for the play-offs. The form we are in, what that could bring to the end of the season with the cup final, it could be an exciting few weeks. We have aimed all season to be in the play-offs and we have got the massive motivation that a win at King’s Lynn gives us a chance of that.

“Also, the boys and our supporters have been messed around heavily with both of our league meetings at King’s Lynn being postponed at late notice for nonsense reasons outside of our control, so there is an added motivation that everyone who still takes their time to travel to King’s Lynn leaves happy.

“We have a change in riding order with Keynan moving back to reserve and Danyon going into the team. He did a solid job in the team earlier in the season and Keynan has been going well in the last couple of meetings and his confidence is improving. A trip to reserve at this stage of the season could be massive for us as a team and Keynan could finish his season on a high. They have brought Rob in and I’m sure everyone is looking forward to seeing him go head-to-head with Emil and Jason and that will provide some great entertainment.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn have had very little to cheer about again in 2023 with the team sitting sixth in the table and battling to avoid the wooden spoon. It has been a season of several changes on and off the track, but a winning formula has eluded the club. The hosts have been beaten seven times at home in the league already, but they will hope to give their fans something to cheer about on Monday with a win over their rivals.

The home team have injury issues ahead of the meeting with club captain Nicolai Klindt breaking bones in his neck after a crash in Poland. Thomas Jorgensen also joins him on the sidelines with injury. Rider replacement will be used at number two for Klindt whilst Connor Mountain guests at number four. Grand Prix rider Lambert has replaced Artem Laguta since the two sides last met and he rides at number one.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions (over 65), disabled and students £20 and children (under 16) go free. Official programmes cost £3. Facilities include free floodlit parking, seated grandstand, covered standing grandstand, restaurant, fully stocked bar and function room, four licenced bar outlets, merchandise stands, toilets and a first aid room. For travel information head here.

For more information about the club head to King’s Lynn’s official website.

RISS: THE CLUB HAS STUCK BY ME, I’M SO APPRECIATIVE

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches ace, Erik Riss, has talked of his gratitude to the club and his confidence in the side as he and his team-mates go in search of Knockout Cup and play-off glory.

Riss has endured a tough 2023, coming back from an injury at the start of the campaign, only to be side-lined with a debilitating illness that saw him endure several lumbar punctures during his slow road to recovery.

However, and with the Witches management sticking by him, the 27-year-old has regained much of his mojo in recent weeks as the Suffolk side reached the Knockout Cup final on Monday after defeating Peterborough on aggregate.

Now, they face one final Sports Insure Premiership test in their final league meeting of the regular season, at King’s Lynn on Monday night where victory could see them grab a play-off place.

“I am very appreciative to the club,” Riss said. “I was worried about being dropped because I wasn’t doing well. And to be honest if I was the team manager, I would have probably dropped myself, so I was surprised they stuck with me, but I’m so glad they did.

“Now I’m doing better I feel I’m giving something back and it’s a nice feeling. It feels good, there’s still hope we can make the play-offs, we are in a cup final. For me, it would mean a lot if we could win something as the club has stuck by me and, as I said, I’m so appreciative.”

While a Knockout Cup final place is secured for the Witches, a play-off position is not. Ritchie Hawkins’ team need to win at King’s Lynn on Monday and hope Leicester drop enough points in their final two meetings, away at Wolves and Peterborough.

“If we win at Lynn, it gives us a chance,” Riss said.

“It is a big meeting for us, a must win. It’s all we can do, win it, and see what happens.

“There is a lot of confidence in the side. We’ve been very successful lately, home, and away. We know we can go to King’s Lynn and win. You can always rely on Emil (Sayfutdinov) and Jason (Doyle), but the last few meetings everyone has done their part and that has helped us even more.”

A month ago, the Witches’ play-off hopes seemed all but dead and buried, however that is not the case now. And for Riss, he would like nothing more than to finish the season on a high.

“My form is still not back to what I can do, I can do a lot more,” he said. “But slowly I’m getting more comfortable again.

“I’m not where I know I can be, I’m not sure I can get to that point before the end of the season. I just want to finish the season as good as I can, help Ipswich in the cup final and get us into the play-offs, then start afresh again next year.”

KING’S LYNN STARS v IPSWICH WITCHES, Sports Insure Premiership, Adrian Flux Arena, Monday, September 4

RACEDAY REPORT: PETERBOROUGH (81) 48-42 (99) IPSWICH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (A)

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Picture courtesy of Jeff Davies

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

PETERBOROUGH 48: Artem Laguta 1, Chris Harris © 13+1, Vadim Tarasenko 5, Benjamin Basso 7+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 7+1, Ben Cook 12+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 3. Team Manager: Rob Lyon.

IPSWICH 42: Emil Sayfutdinov 10+1, Erik Riss 6+2, Danny King © 7, Keynan Rew 5+1, Jason Doyle 12, Danyon Hume 2, Ashton Boughen (G) (RS) 0. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Wolverhampton 46-20 Belle Vue. Second Leg: Belle Vue 54-36 Wolverhampton

First Leg: Ipswich 48-42 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 43-47 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 58-32 King’s Lynn. Second Leg: King’s Lynn 34-56 Sheffield

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Ipswich 57-33 Peterborough. Second Leg: Peterborough 48–42 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 54-36 Wolverhampton. Second Leg: Wolverhampton 52-38 Sheffield

FINAL

Sheffield v Ipswich

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches secured their spot in the Knockout Cup final on Monday night at Peterborough after a narrow defeat.

The Suffolk side took a 24-point lead to the East of England Arena, using 16-year-old Ashton Boughen as a guest for the injured Dan Thompson whilst the Panthers were at full strength. The Panthers started well and built a six-point lead after four races but never threatened a miraculous comeback and they were pegged back with the scores level after 13 races. The home team hit two heat advantages in the final two races to get a win on the night, but it was Ipswich who took a big 18-point win on aggregate. Jason Doyle top scored with 12 points.

Panthers captain Chris Harris won a shared heat one and Danyon Hume led heat two but was passed by Ben Cook as the home team went in front with a 4-2. Benjamin Basso took victory in heat three as Danny King split the Peterborough pair meaning another heat advantage to the hosts. There was another 4-2 in heat four as Niels-Kristian Iversen held off Doyle with Cook third, making it 15-9.

The Witches hit back in heat five with a maximum from Emil Sayfutdinov and Erik Riss. Harris made the move on Doyle to win heat six in a 4-2 to Peterborough before Ipswich cancelled it out in heat seven with Keynan Rew winning and King third. Riss won heat eight in a 3-3 to leave the score 25-23 on the night with the away side still in full control of the tie.

Doyle won a shared heat nine and Harris won the battle with King at the front in heat 10 in another 3-3. The 3-3s continued in heat 11 as Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag. King was leading heat 12 but was passed on the run to the line by Cook as the home team recorded a 4-2 to put them 38-34 in front but the Witches had already qualified by the final on aggregate by this point.

Doyle and Sayfutdinov levelled the score on the night with a maximum in heat 13 before Peterborough went back in front in heat 14 with a 5-1 of their own. The Panthers ensured they would win on the night as Harris rounded Doyle on the final bend to win heat 15 in a 4-2 but it meant little as the visitors booked a date against Sheffield in the Knockout Cup final.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat at Peterborough.

“A good performance again against a really strong Peterborough team now. We didn’t let ourselves get into a position to worry and I leave the meeting very happy with the team.

“It is nice to see Keynan and Erik doing well and I thought Danyon rode better than his two points. Everyone contributed to the aggregate win, and we keep going on into the cup final and it keeps morale high going into the massive meeting next week.

“Ashton came in and he only turned 16 last week. I have seen him ride a couple of times and the more he rides in this league the more he will get on pace with how quick the boys are out of the start into the first bend, that was the only place he lost ground.

“We have got a date with the new-look Sheffield team in the final in two weeks’ time and I’m sure everyone will look forward to that. We haven’t won the cup for a long time, and we are in good form and in a good position to go and win it.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

It was a professional job by the away team led by Doyle who top scored with 12.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich progress to the Knockout Cup final where they will take on Sheffield over two legs to determine the 2023 champions.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to face the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday 4th September in the Sports Insure Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: PETERBOROUGH – KNOCKOUT CUP SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture with Peterborough.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Peterborough to face the Panthers at the East of England Arena & Events Centre on Monday 28th August in a Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

PETERBOROUGH: 1. Artem Laguta 8.17 2. Chris Harris 7.13 © 3. Vadim Tarasenko 6.45 4. Benjamin Basso 5.91 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 6.67 6. Ben Cook 5.09 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.91 2. Erik Riss 4.86 3. Danny King 7.03 © 4. Keynan Rew 4.00 5. Jason Doyle 9.37 6. Danyon Hume 3.74 7. Ashton Boughen (G) (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Wolverhampton 46-20 Belle Vue. Second Leg: Belle Vue 54-36 Wolverhampton

First Leg: Ipswich 48-42 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 43-47 Ipswich

First Leg: Sheffield 58-32 King’s Lynn. Second Leg: King’s Lynn 34-56 Sheffield

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Ipswich 57-33 Peterborough

First Leg: Sheffield 54-36 Wolverhampton. Second Leg: Wolverhampton 52-38 Sheffield

FINAL

Sheffield v TBC

TICKETS

Tickets are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Peterborough on Monday for the second leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final. Ipswich beat Leicester in the quarter-final to book their place in the final four whilst the Panthers received a bye into the semi-final. The Suffolk side arrive at the East of England Arena in decent form having won six of their last seven fixtures. The Witches have already tasted success at Peterborough this season with two league victories in Cambridgeshire in the Sports Insure Premiership.

The visitors take a big lead into the second leg and are heavy favourites to progress to the final having won the first leg 57-33 back in May. 16-year-old Ashton Boughen will guest in the Rising Star position for the injured Dan Thompson.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“We have done very well at Peterborough this season and we go there with a massive lead, but we can’t go there looking to defend the lead. We have got to go there looking to do as much as we can to win the meeting and then hopefully the lead should be enough. They are a lot stronger team now and they are in better form, and we have got to be wary of that and not relax too much and switch off.

“We have got a massive lead, but they are in good form, and they will be confident after their result last week against Sheffield that they can overturn it, so we have got to make sure we don’t give them that opportunity.

“The play-offs are the main priority every season, but we haven’t won the cup since 1998, so we need to get trophies, and this is our best opportunity at the moment to win something this season. The cup is important to us, and we want to win it.

“We have brought Ashton in; he has just turned 16 and did his first meeting at Sheffield. There is no pressure on him, just come in and ride. He is an East Anglian lad and is highly rated, it will be an experience for him. He is extremely talented and doing very well so it will be a great learning experience for him, and he is another British prospect who it will be great to work with.”

THE PANTHERS

Peterborough’s 2023 has not gone to plan but the club have shown signs of improvement in recent weeks. Having a full one to seven has no doubt boosted the club and they showed what they can do last week with a 53-37 win over Sheffield on home shale. They sit bottom of the Sports Insure Premiership with just two home wins to their name all season but now look a very different side to the one that has been tracked for the majority of the season.

The Panthers made a team change over the weekend, bringing in 2021 world champion Artem Laguta after he was released by King’s Lynn. He replaces Patryk Wojdylo who had impressed during his time at the East of England Arena.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions (over 65), disabled and students £20, children (5-16) £5 and children under the age of 5 go free. Official programmes cost £3 with car parking priced at £1. Facilities include a 2200 capacity grandstand, grass banking on the back straight, fast food outlets on the grandstand side of the track and a licensed bar. For travel information head here.

For more information about the club head to Peterborough’s official website.

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 51–39 LEICESTER – SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2 (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

RN Euston – RN Euston Limited has supplied steel framed buildings in East Anglia for over 40 years.  Established by Ray Euston the business has grown steadily over the years and now Ray works in partnership with his son Mark.  The company is based in Suffolk and work all over East Anglia where they have gained a reliable reputation.

Doug Wade Insurance

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 51: Emil Sayfutdinov 11+1, Erik Riss 5+1, Danny King © 8, Keynan Rew 6+1, Jason Doyle 14+1 (Paid Maximum), Danyon Hume 4+1, Jason Edwards (G) (RS) 3+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER 39: Max Fricke © 13, Richie Worrall 6+3, Richard Lawson 6, Justin Sedgmen 4+1, Craig Cook 3, Jake Allen 4+1, Drew Kemp (RS) 3. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: D. Watters

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue2341
Wolverhampton2033
Ipswich2331
Sheffield1929
Leicester1929
King’s Lynn209
Peterborough208

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches finished their home Sports Insure Premiership campaign with a win over Leicester on Thursday at Foxhall.

The Suffolk side were using Jason Edwards as a guest for the injured Dan Thompson whilst the visitors were at full strength. The two sides exchanged heat advantages early on, but it was the Lions who led after eight races. However, Ipswich finished strongly and ended up winning comfortably to add another two points to their tally, as well as picking up the aggregate bonus point following their 16-point win in the East Midlands. Jason Doyle top scored with a 14+1 paid maximum.

Heat one was stopped as Emil Sayfutdinov steamed under Richie Worrall on the first turn of the second lap and was excluded for bringing the Leicester man down. The Lions hit a 2-4 in the re-run as Max Fricke rounded Erik Riss to win. The Witches levelled it in heat two as Danyon Hume won and guest Edwards picked up a point. Skipper Danny King won heat three as Richard Lawson kept Keynan Rew behind him, resulting in a heat advantage to the hosts. Heat four was stopped with Ipswich on a 5-1 as Drew Kemp fell at the start of the second lap. However, the duo of Doyle and Edwards did it again in the re-run to secure the maximum and put the home team 15-9 up.

King made the gate in heat five but was passed by both Fricke and Worrall down the back straight as the visitors hit a 1-5. Sayfutdinov won a shared heat six before Doyle did the same in heat seven. The Lions then went ahead in heat eight as Kemp won and Worrall passed Riss late on for the maximum that put them 23-25 in front.

The Suffolk side responded immediately in heat nine as King and Rew hit a 5-1 of their own with the race awarded after Craig Cook fell late on in the race. There was another maximum in heat 10 as Sayfutdinov and Riss couldn’t be caught, and Doyle got another victory in heat 11 in a 3-3. Leicester boss Stewart Dickson brought in Fricke as a tactical substitute for heat 12 as he duly won in a 2-4 to Leicester which made it 38-34 overall to Ipswich.

Sayfutdinov and Doyle powered to a 5-1 in heat 13 and victory was confirmed in heat 14 as both Rew and Hume were in the points behind race winner Justin Sedgmen. Worrall hit the tapes at the start of heat 15 and was replaced by Jake Allen. In the re-run, no one could stop Doyle and Sayfutdinov from hitting another maximum as Ipswich finished the night in style to keep the pressure up on their play-off rivals.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Leicester.

“We finished our home league campaign with a solid performance, everyone scored throughout, and I was really pleased with the boys who had a bit of a duff second ride to pull it back round. It was a good result and a good performance that carries on our good run of form.

“Jason’s second meeting for us and I think he did very well. I think he enjoyed being with us and we enjoyed having him. It was a good performance from him, and he is another promising British youngster that we have got coming through.

“It was another superb performance from Doyley. It was brilliant to see as ever, and he has been so good for us. This is his second year with us, and he has been terrific throughout. He didn’t have to shoot off tonight, he often has to, but it was great to see him out there at 10pm in the car park with all the fans chatting to people and signing autographs. It was great for him to have the chance to do that tonight and I’m sure all the fans showed the appreciation they have for him and how loved his is here at Ipswich.

“We are third in the table and have no league meeting next week, it is whether the boys can catch us up now. They have got a massive opportunity to, and we are just hoping that they don’t.”

RN EUSTON & DOUG WADE INSURANCE RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

RN Euston chose Sayfutdinov who scored 11+1.

Doug Wade Insurance picked Doyle who recorded a 14+1 paid maximum.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich add three points to their tally and go up above Leicester into third although they have ridden more meetings than their nearest rivals for the play-offs.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to the East of England Arena to face Peterborough on Monday 28th August in the Knockout Cup. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

KING: WE MUST KEEP OUR SEASON GOING

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By Mike Bacon

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches skipper, Danny King, says his team need to beat Leicester this week, get themselves into a Knockout Cup final next week, and see how the season unfolds.

The Witches face a must-win Sports Insure Premiership clash at Foxhall on Thursday night (7.30pm start) against Leicester Lions.

The Lions sit one place above the Witches in the table with meetings in hand. However, their form of late has been patchy – they’ve lost two home meetings on the bounce – to the Witches and Wolves.

King knows the Witches are still outsiders for a play-off spot but says they must heap the pressure on the likes of Leicester.

“We must beat Leicester of course,” he said. “It would put us up to third in the table. Other teams have meetings in hand, we know that and it’s not in our hands. But it’s up to them then, isn’t it?

“Anything can still happen. Sheffield slipped up at Peterborough on Monday night, probably expecting to get the win I’m sure, they didn’t even get the bonus point.

“We must keep our season going. We must keep our form going. After Leicester we need to see off Peterborough in the cup next week. If we can do that, there’s silverware up for grabs, a cup final, and we want it. In the form we’re in there is no reason we can’t do that.”

King has seen his average go up more than half a point this season, although like many Witches fans he’s frustrated that their play-off hopes are not in their own hands. On Monday night Ipswich lost at Wolverhampton by two points – their first defeat after five straight wins.

“We should have probably won at Wolverhampton, but you shouldn’t be leaving it to the last few meetings to need to guarantee points,” King said.

“We’re frustrated as we are finishing so well. But it all went wrong from the off, losing our Rising Star Jack Thomas to injury before the season even started. And then Erik (Riss) suffering his illness.

“Yes, my average has gone up this season, but I’m always critical of myself, I always want to do more. I was disappointed personally at Wolverhampton, I couldn’t make a start and that made it such hard work. I give 100% that’s all I can do.”

And there is little doubt seeing King lift a trophy for the Witches this season wouldn’t just be exciting for the fans, but a huge fillip for him.

“I say it all the time, everyone knows what Ipswich means to me,” King added. “I would love to win something with the club. I want to be at Ipswich, and I want to win and even if we don’t make the play-offs, we can make it so that we have the chance to win something this season.”

IPSWICH WITCHES v LEICESTER LIONS Thursday, August 24, 7.30pm, Foxhall Stadium, Sports Insure Premiership

RACEDAY PREVIEW: LEICESTER – SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP R2 (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Sports Insure Premiership R2 fixture with Leicester.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 24th August in a Sports Insure Premiership R2 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

RN Euston – RN Euston Limited has supplied steel framed buildings in East Anglia for over 40 years.  Established by Ray Euston the business has grown steadily over the years and now Ray works in partnership with his son Mark.  The company is based in Suffolk and work all over East Anglia where they have gained a reliable reputation.

Doug Wade Insurance

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.91 2. Erik Riss 4.86 3. Danny King 7.03 © 4. Keynan Rew 4.00 5. Jason Doyle 9.37 6. Danyon Hume 3.74 7. Jason Edwards (G) (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.91 © 2. Richie Worrall 5.77 3. Richard Lawson 7.38 4. Justin Sedgmen 6.12 5. Craig Cook 5.96 6. Jake Allen 4.09 7. Drew Kemp (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: D. Watters

SPORTS INSURE PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue2240
Wolverhampton1933
Leicester1829
Ipswich2228
Sheffield1826
Peterborough208
King’s Lynn197

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £22 for adults and £20 for concessions (65+). Children 16 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches race the Leicester Lions in their final home fixture of Sports Insure Premiership on Thursday evening at Foxhall. The home side were in action on Monday night at Wolverhampton as their winning run came to an end after a narrow 46-44 defeat. That result leaves Ritchie Hawkins’ side needing six points from their final two league fixtures and hoping other results go their way to make the top four.

Ipswich will be favourites to take the aggregate bonus point at least having beaten the Lions by 16 points last month at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena. The Suffolk side are without the injured Dan Thompson in the Rising Star position again with Jason Edwards guesting again in his place.

The two sides have met twice at Foxhall already this season in the Knockout Cup and the Sports Insure Premiership with the Witches recording narrow wins on both occasions.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“It is clear that we must win just to carry on the league season with any slim hopes of making the play-offs, which are still mathematically possible. We need to put in a strong performance and keep this run going because we are riding well and are in good form and we need to keep that going for the rest of the season.

“Leicester will be a tough task and they will be coming to win and make up for their home defeat to us earlier on in the year. They are full of riders who are capable at Foxhall. Let’s keep the buzz going and take another home win on Thursday, our last in the league this season.

“We very much hope to be back for Knockout Cup final in a couple of weeks, but we don’t want to go into that meeting on the back of a home defeat. We need another good performance and make sure we go into the cup final completely confident.

“Leicester were in great form for the vast part of this season but their form has dropped off a little bit since we beat them at home and they have been struggling. They have made changes which haven’t quite worked yet but they are the team we are looking at in the league that we could possibly catch but that is highly unlikely. We need to make sure we win the meeting on Thursday and then we will just be waiting and hoping for them to slip up in the next couple of weeks.”

THE LIONS

Leicester currently sit third in the table and have enjoyed a successful return to the top-flight after a strong opening half to the campaign. However, their form has dipped in recent weeks with two home defeats putting some jeopardy on their play-off place which a month ago looked certain. The Lions have run the Witches close on both occasions in Suffolk this season and know a win would all but secure their top four spot, and if they were to take all three points it would be 100% certain.

The visitors have made a string of changes in recent weeks caused by the suspension to Nick Morris, who failed to comply with an Anti-Doping Test, therefore breaching a number of the SCB Regulations. The Australian pleaded guilty to the charge of ‘Failing to provide a Specimen’ and has since received a two-year suspension. Troy Batchelor has come and gone as a replacement whilst club captain Chris Harris was also let go in a surprising move. In have come Richie Worrall and Craig Cook as replacements.