Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY REPORT: LEICESTER (92) 51–39 (88) IPSWICH – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (A)

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Image courtesy of Steve Dixon

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

LEICESTER 51: Max Fricke © 13+3, Richard Lawson 11+1, Sam Masters 11+1, Luke Becker 8+2, Ryan Douglas R/R, Lewi Kerr (G) 7, Sam Hagon (RS) 1+1. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

IPSWICH 39: Jan Kvěch (G) 4, Danny King © 2, Keynan Rew 3, Tom Brennan (G) 11+1, Adam Ellis 8+2, Ashton Boughen (G) 3, Dan Thompson (RS) 8. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield2442
Leicester2440
Belle Vue2437
Ipswich2434
Oxford2426
King’s Lynn*2422
Birmingham2411
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

PLAY-OFFS

SEMI-FINALS:

1st Leg: Ipswich 49-41 Leicester, 2nd Leg: Leicester 51-39 Ipswich

1st Leg: Belle Vue vs Sheffield, 2nd Leg: Sheffield vs Belle Vue

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches’ season ended in agonising fashion on Thursday night as they were beaten by Leicester in a last-heat decider in the second leg of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final.

The visitors were using the same three guests as Monday’s first leg with Jan Kvěch, Tom Brennan and Ashton Boughen in for the injured trio of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins. The hosts fielded the same line-up too with rider replacement in operation for Ryan Douglas and Lewi Kerr in for Craig Cook.

Ipswich came into the tie with an eight-point lead after the first leg at Foxhall on Monday and there was a delay to start of this meeting due to rain, making track conditions tricky. The Lions edged in front early on, but Ipswich never gave up despite decisions going against them all night and they still led on aggregate after 11 races. Leicester managed to level the aggregate score and it all boiled down to a last-heat decider which went the way of the Lions who progressed to the final. Brennan top scored with 11+1.

Kvěch was squeezed out in the first turn of the opening heat and was excluded after he fell. The Lions hit a 5-1 in the re-run in greasy conditions. Boughen recorded an impressive win in heat two as the away side raced to a heat advantage. Brennan was the victim of first bend bunching in heat three but bizarrely the referee decided to excluded Keynan Rew on this occasion and it was to be the first of many strange decisions on the night. Brennan picked himself up and ensured that the Lions didn’t profit as he won the re-run. There was another 3-3 in heat four making it 13-11 to Leicester who still trailed 54-60 on aggregate.

The Lions struck a maximum in heat five and there was a 3-3 in heat six as Adam Ellis steamed past both Leicester riders on the back straight of the opening lap to take victory. Heat seven was stopped with the Witches coasting towards a maximum as Sam Hagon fell at the back. Rew and Brennan repeated the trick in the re-run as they were untroubled for the 1-5. The away side looked set for another maximum in heat eight as Danny King and Dan Thompson hit the front, but King slipped off whilst leading which resulted in a 3-3. That left Leicester 25-23 up on the night, but it was Ipswich who still led 66-72 on aggregate.

Sam Masters broke down on the start line of heat nine and was excluded with Kerr replacing him. The Lions got a 4-2 when the race did get going as Luke Becker took the chequered flag. Rew was excluded again in heat 10 as he got out of shape in the first turn and hit the fence. As he did earlier in the night, Brennan won the re-run to ensure a share of the points. Kvěch found himself on the floor again at the start of heat 11 having been pushed wide by Max Fricke and on this occasion all four riders were called back unlike in heat three. The home team were awarded a 4-2 in the re-run as King fell at the back whilst trying to pass Kerr for a point. Rew slid off again at the start of heat 12 and suffered his third exclusion of the night, with Thompson having made the gate. Leicester registered a 4-2 in the re-run which put them 40-32 up on the night and levelled it at 81-81 on aggregate.

Heat 13 was yet another race that didn’t get past the first bend as Fricke lost control and wiped-out Ellis but bafflingly all four were called back as referee Christina Turnbull continued to have, what we will call, an ‘inconsistent’ night on this occasion. In the re-run Becker took out Kvěch going into the third turn of the opening lap and was excluded. Fricke won the third attempt keeping the score level on aggregate with two to race. Brennan produced a sensational ride to win heat 14 as he wound it on to pass Kerr at the end of the first lap, meaning it all went down to a last-heat decider. Heat 15 went the way of the Lions as they hit a maximum which booked their spot in the play-off final and ended Ipswich’s season.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat against Leicester.

“My first emotion is immense pride. To be a part of it this season has been an honour. The whole camp has worked so hard, the guys who have come in have fitted in really well and enjoyed the atmosphere and that is something we strive for. The never say die attitude is as strong as I have ever seen before, to lose two such influential people at different stages of the season and to carry on in their absence with their performances and living up to their expectations. Both play-off meetings we have had a super young team out and they have done the Witches proud. Thank you to all the travelling support all season and certainly tonight. It is massively appreciated by us all and we will regroup and come again with another title challenging team.

“The referee is now the talk of the meeting and there were appalling decisions and inconsistency. I completely expected it and knew what we were going to be battling against, but we also threw some points away from overtrying and inexperience at times. We can learn from that going into next season but there is nothing we can do about tonight now. We have just got to get on with it.

“Track conditions were difficult but both teams went out there and put on the best show you could in the circumstances. I think it was a great showcase for play-off speedway and massive congratulations to Leicester, they are a great bunch of boys who I have a lot of respect for and good luck to them in the final. I am sure whoever they are up against will face a very stern test.

“Tom was our man of the meeting and was superb. What a talent he is for British speedway and what a professional young rider. I’m sure my phone will be lit up with another hundred messages telling me we need to make him a permanent Witch!

“It is a season of what could have been, but we have provided so many highlights with lots of away wins. It has been a brilliant team to work with and it has been a great season in lots of ways with these boys. Every single one of them and the mechanics have been superb to work with, so a big thank you to them. Thank you to our amazing fanbase, their loyal support is unwavering even through the tough times, they are there week in week out home and away. As a club it is amazing to be a part of and thank you to Chris (Louis) for giving me that opportunity.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Guest Brennan raced to a paid maximum from his four programmed rides and was superb all night in tough conditions.

WHAT IT MEANS

Leicester progress to the play-off final where they will face Belle Vue or Sheffield. Ipswich’s season ends.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: LEICESTER – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL SECOND LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final second leg fixture with Leicester.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester to face the Lions at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena on Thursday 12th September in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final second leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.70 © 2. Richard Lawson 7.21 3. Sam Masters 7.17 4. Luke Becker 6.17 5. R/R for Ryan Douglas 7.59 6. Lewi Kerr (G) 5.03 7. Sam Hagon (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

IPSWICH: 1. Jan Kvěch (G) 9.36 2. Danny King 6.48 © 3. Keynan Rew 5.43 4. Tom Brennan (G) 9.12 5. Adam Ellis 5.61 6. Ashton Boughen (G) 3.74 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: TBC

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield2442
Leicester2440
Belle Vue2437
Ipswich2434
Oxford2426
King’s Lynn*2422
Birmingham2411
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

PLAY-OFFS

SEMI-FINALS:

1st Leg: Ipswich 49-41 Leicester, 2nd Leg: Leicester vs Ipswich

1st Leg: Belle Vue vs Sheffield, 2nd Leg: Sheffield vs Belle Vue

TICKETS

Tickets are available to purchase online in advance here and on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches head to Leicester on Thursday for the second leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final tie.

The two sides met at Foxhall on Monday in the first leg with the Witches perhaps surprising a few onlookers as they ended their eight-match winless run with a 49-41 victory over the in-form Lions. The lead was 16 points at one stage and Leicester will have been pleased to leave Suffolk just eight points down, having not performed at their best.

The visitors continue to be without three of the team due to injuries. Jan Kvěch deputises for long-term absentee Jason Doyle at number one whilst Ashton Boughen is in again for the injured Jordan Jenkins at reserve who has suspected ligament damage in his thumb and a chipped bone. Despite racing in Poland last weekend, Emil Sayfutdinov is not yet fit to return to a full schedule of racing and Tom Brennan guests in his place. Team manager Ritchie Hawkins has moved captain Danny King to number two for this fixture with Adam Ellis going to number five.

Ipswich have enjoyed plenty of success at Leicester in recent years and have beaten the Lions twice this season at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena. The last fixture there in July ended in a 53-37 defeat and the Witches must avoid losing by more than seven points if they are to progress to the play-off final for the second year in a row.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“We have the same team out on Thursday and have swapped Danny and Adam around for the night. Truth be told, I had a premonition that was going to be the best way to go to help us win the meeting, so there you go.

“We start from scratch on Thursday will look to win the meeting. We have had a lot of success there in the past and have riders that can win races there and perform well there. Everyone in the team is up for getting themselves another two meetings by getting to that Grand Final.

“The underdog mentality is not something we have spoken about; you can see a great difference in the last two meetings compared to the last few league meetings which had little significance. These two meetings at home, everyone has stepped it back up a gear and I think we can take a lot of confidence into Thursday, and everyone seems to be fully focused again when we probably weren’t over the last month.

“People will have seen that Emil rode in Poland on Sunday night but did not ride for us on Monday. He is not fit enough yet to take on a full schedule. There is a big difference in racing one meeting at your home club and then having four or five days recovery when you are injured. That is a big difference to racing one day, taking a flight and travelling to another meeting in a different country and then doing the same again and not having any days off or rest. The facts are that he is not fit enough to race for us at the moment. I know he would love to and maybe if we were in the second semi-final he would be back with us but that is not the case.”

THE LIONS

Leicester entered the play-offs as many people’s favourites after their end of season form but couldn’t find their top level in Suffolk on Monday. An eight-point defeat could have been worse at Foxhall, but they will feel confident of turning the tie around on home shale. The hosts have lost three meetings at home in 2024, two against Ipswich and one to Sheffield.  

The Lions remain without Ryan Douglas and Craig Cook for this fixture and as was the case on Monday, rider replacement will be in operation for Douglas whilst Lewi Kerr deputises for Cook.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £22, concessions £20, children (6-17) £1 and children aged 5 and under go free. There will be 235 free car park spaces available at the stadium with further free car parking facilities on the Beaumont Shopping Complex (maximum time of 4 hours). Three Coach/Mini Bus spaces, 15 Disabled spaces available, 15 Motorcycle spaces, Taxi drop-off point. For travel information head here.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 49–41 LEICESTER – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

Edwards Electrical – Their team offer electrical, plumbing, decorating and all aspects of building work and maintenance. They have been undertaking work nationwide for several years.

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 49: Jan Kvěch (G) 10+1, Adam Ellis 6+2, Keynan Rew 7+1, Tom Brennan (G) 9, Danny King © 9, Ashton Boughen (G) 3+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 5+2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER 41: Max Fricke © 10+2, Richard Lawson 9+1, Sam Masters 10, Luke Becker 6+1, Ryan Douglas R/R, Lewi Kerr (G) 6, Sam Hagon (RS) 0. Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: W. Jarvis

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield2442
Leicester2440
Belle Vue2437
Ipswich2434
Oxford2426
King’s Lynn*2422
Birmingham2411
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

PLAY-OFFS

SEMI-FINALS:

1st Leg: Ipswich 49-41 Leicester, 2nd Leg: Leicester vs Ipswich

1st Leg: Belle Vue vs Sheffield, 2nd Leg: Sheffield vs Belle Vue

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches raced to victory over Leicester in the first leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final at Foxhall on Monday night.

The Suffolk side entered the play-offs without the likes of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins due to injury and were without a win in eight before this semi-final having finished fourth in the regular campaign. Jan Kvěch, Tom Brennan and Ashton Boughen were guesting for the missing home trio. In contrast, second-placed Leicester came into the play-offs in form but lost Ryan Douglas and Craig Cook to injury ahead of this fixture with Lewi Kerr in for Cook and rider replacement in operation for Douglas.

Despite the injury issues and lack of form it was Ipswich who started strongly as they raced to a 16-point lead after 10 races. The Lions clawed back eight points in the second half of the meeting and will be relieved to leave Suffolk just eight points behind having been second best for the majority of the night. Kvěch top scored with 10+1.

Kvěch flew from the gate to win heat one in an Ipswich 4-2 and the points were shared in heat two as Kerr was victorious. The hosts were gifted a 5-1 in heat three as leader Sam Masters retired on the final lap with machinery issues allowing Brennan and Keynan Rew through for the unexpected maximum. The great start continued in heat four with another 5-1, this time from Danny King and Dan Thompson, giving Ipswich an early 17-7 lead.

Rew won a shared heat five as Brennan couldn’t find a way past Max Fricke at the back. Masters won a shared heat six despite Kvěch’s best efforts in second, but the Witches extended the lead in heat seven as King took the chequered flag again beating Luke Becker and Boughen stormed under Masters for a point. There was a 3-3 in heat eight which left the home team 30-18 up.

Brennan picked up three points in a shared heat nine before the hosts hit another maximum in heat 10 thanks to Kvěch and Adam Ellis. The visitors finally got their first heat advantage of the night in heat 11 as they raced to a 1-5. Another followed in heat 12 as Masters won but Rew managed to split the away pair in second and that meant a 2-4 to the away side, making it 41-31.

Fricke was victorious in a shared heat 13. Boughen was the victim of a tight first turn in heat 14 as he fell with all four riders called back. Ipswich looked set for a 5-1 in re-run with Brennan and Boughen out front, but Becker never gave up and pipped Boughen on the run to the line to limit the damage to a 4-2. Leicester ended the night on a high with what could prove to be a crucial maximum in heat 15 which reduced the deficit to eight points at the end of the first leg.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win against Leicester.

“It was good to get our first win for a while by eight points and all the boys contributed. It felt a lot more like a performance we had earlier on in the season with everyone chipping in with points and it was much-needed tonight. We built a big lead early on, but we knew they would come back strong as the track slickened off a bit and they had the better gates in the latter stages of the meeting. Heat 15 is a bit of a blow to us, but we go into Thursday in a decent position being eight up and ready to fight for a place in the final again.

“All the guests did well. Tom has obviously done a few with us now and did very well again with three wins. I thought Jan was superb on his second ever visit to Foxhall and he is a really nice lad, it is good to have him over in Britain and with us tonight. It was great to see the progress Ashton has made over the last year since he last rode for us and there is a lot more to come from him in his career.

“Everyone has contributed and done well, it was a good performance. They all stepped up to the occasion and it is something we will need to replicate on Thursday.

“I know we have been underdogs since Emil’s crash, and we go into Thursday concentrated on trying to win the meeting and we will aim to do that. We will worry about the aggregate score later on in the meeting.

“People will have seen that Emil rode in Poland on Sunday night but did not ride for us today. He is not fit enough yet to take on a full schedule. There is a big difference in racing one meeting at your home club and then having four or five days recovery when you are injured. That is a big difference to racing one day, taking a flight and travelling to another meeting in a different country and then doing the same again and not having any days off or rest. The facts are that he is not fit enough to race for us at the moment. I know he would love to and maybe if we were in the second semi-final he would be back with us but that is not the case.”

EDWARDS ELECTRICAL RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Edwards Electrical chose Ellis who scored paid eight from four rides.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich take an eight-point lead to Leicester for the second leg on Thursday as the two sides battle for a place in the play-off final.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester to take on the Lions on Thursday 12th September in the second leg of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final. Tickets can be purchased in advance here and on the gate.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: LEICESTER – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final first leg fixture with Leicester.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 9th September in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final first leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

Edwards Electrical – Their team offer electrical, plumbing, decorating and all aspects of building work and maintenance. They have been undertaking work nationwide for several years.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jan Kvěch (G) 9.36 2. Adam Ellis 5.61 3. Keynan Rew 5.43 4. Tom Brennan (G) 9.12 5. Danny King © 6.48 6. Ashton Boughen (G) 3.74 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke 8.70 © 2. Richard Lawson 7.21 3. Sam Masters 7.17 4. Luke Becker 6.17 5. R/R for Ryan Douglas 7.59 6. Lewi Kerr (G) 5.03 7. Sam Hagon (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: TBC

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield2442
Leicester2440
Belle Vue2437
Ipswich2434
Oxford2426
King’s Lynn*2422
Birmingham2411
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

PLAY-OFFS

SEMI-FINALS:

1st Leg: Ipswich vs Leicester, 2nd Leg: Leicester vs Ipswich

1st Leg: Belle Vue vs Sheffield, 2nd Leg: Sheffield vs Belle Vue

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 for concessions (65+) & students (21 & under). Tickets for children aged 6-16 are £1 whilst children 5 & under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3.50 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 ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the first leg of their ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final against Leicester on Monday night at Foxhall.

The Witches led the league campaign for the majority of the year despite losing Jason Doyle for the season due to an injury suffered in May. It has been a season plagued by injuries with every rider missing at least one meeting, but it took its toll in August when Emil Sayfutdinov faced a period on the sidelines after a crash at Sheffield. A depleted Ipswich side went on and lost their next seven fixtures, finishing fourth in the league and being defeated in the Knockout Cup final.

Despite everything thrown at them, Ritchie Hawkins’ side now embark on the play-offs where they face second-placed Leicester over two legs, with a decision on the opposition made last week made in a BSPL statement which you can read here.

The hosts remain without Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins has now joined them on the treatment table after suffering a hand injury last Wednesday in a fall whilst riding for his Championship side. Tom Brennan guests again for Sayfutdinov whilst Grand Prix rider Jan Kvěch takes up the number one position. Ashton Boughen has been booked to cover Jenkins at reserve.

The Suffolk side have raced the Lions three times at Foxhall this season winning twice with scores of 47-43 and 60-30 and losing 36-54 last month. Ipswich showed a battling display last Thursday as they ended their losing streak with a draw and enter the play-offs with fresh hope of making another play-off final.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“These are the meetings you race all year to be a part of. Unfortunately, we go into it with a team full of guests. We have Tom back; we have spoken a lot about him in recent weeks and Jan will come in as a guest for Emil. Emil is not fit enough to ride for us next week which is a massive loss to us. Jan did very well on his one visit here and has adapted well to British Speedway since coming over. We now need to cover Jordan and Ashton is coming in. He was keen to do the meeting and has won races at Ipswich this season and is someone we used last year. It will be good to see the progress he has made and is someone capable of winning races at Foxhall.

“Jordan has a hand injury, and they think it is ligament damage, but the early signs are there are no breaks. The ligament damage can be worse in all honesty, but further investigations are needed. Having seen his hand, I can’t see him being back in the next couple of weeks.

“Leicester are a team we have had varying results against this season. We have had quite a few victories against them over the last few years, but we have said all season they are a very good team on paper, and they have come into form at the right time. We feel after Thursday’s performance and having a full one to seven out that we have a renewed confidence, and we are going to go out and fight every step of the way to make the play-off final.”

THE LIONS

Leicester have hit form at the right time in 2024 and enter the play-offs as many people’s favourites for the title. After a slow start to the campaign, the Lions have rocketed into the top four with superb run of form which included 10 wins in their last 12 fixtures. The visitors will be full of confidence coming to Foxhall after their big win last month against the Witches.

The away side are running rider replacement for Ryan Douglas who is in hospital with an infected burn on his left arm. Lewi Kerr guests for Craig Cook who dislocated his left shoulder on Thursday night.

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH (80) 45–45 (100) SHEFFIELD – KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL SECOND LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

Simply Climate Control – Simply Climate Control is a progressive business specialising in the design, supply and installation of heating, ventilation & air conditioning (hvac) systems for retail, commercial, industrial & domestic spaces.

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 45: Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis 4+2, Keynan Rew 14, Tom Brennan (G) 9+2, Danny King © 9, James Pearson (G) 0, Dan Thompson (RS) 9+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD 45: Jack Holder 8+2, Kyle Howarth © 9+1, Chris Holder 11, Josh Pickering 14+2, Tai Woffinden R/R, Jason Edwards 2, Dan Gilkes (RS) 0. Team Manager: Simon Stead

REFEREE: C. Gay

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 51-39 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 50-40 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 54-36 King’s Lynn

FINAL

First Leg: Sheffield 55–35 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 45-45 Sheffield

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches drew their Knockout Cup final second leg fixture against Sheffield on Thursday night at Foxhall as Sheffield were crowned Knockout Cup champions on aggregate.

A depleted Ipswich went into the fixture as big underdogs having lost 55-35 in the first leg and they had to make up the 20-point deficit without the injured trio of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins. Rider replacement was in operation at one with Tom Brennan and James Pearson coming in as guests. The visitors were using rider replacement for Tai Woffinden. The Witches started strongly and pulled 10 points back after six races, but the Tigers steadied themselves and had enough to see the job through and lift the Knockout Cup. Keynan Rew top scored with 14 points.

The hosts fired in a 5-1 in heat one with Brennan and Adam Ellis first across the line. Dan Gilkes missed the two-minute time allowance in heat two and was forced to start from 15 metres. Dan Thompson won as Gilkes caught Foxhall newcomer Pearson to ensure a 3-3. Sheffield gated on a maximum in heat three as Josh Pickering and Chris Holder hit the front but Rew rounded Chris Holder and then Brennan shot up the inside of him for a share of the points. The strong start continued in heat four as Danny King and Thompson raced to a maximum putting them 16-8 up on the night and 51-63 behind on aggregate.

Rew won a shared heat five and it was a 4-2 to the Witches in heat six as King took the chequered flag and Ellis pulled off a fine move as he swooped round Jason Edwards for a point on the final lap. Sheffield recorded a maximum in heat seven and Kyle Howarth won heat eight, but it was a 3-3 as Thompson and Ellis both relegated Gilkes to the back. That left Ipswich 27-21 in front on the night and 62-76 behind on aggregate.

There was another maximum from Rew and Brennan in heat nine, but Chris Holder and Josh Pickering repaid the compliment in heat 10. The away side secured another maximum in heat 11 to put them on the brink of victory. Rew took victory in heat 12 in an Ipswich 4-2 making it 38-34 on the night with Sheffield 73-89 ahead on aggregate.

The away side secured the trophy in heat 13 with a maximum. Brennan won heat 14 in a Witches 4-2, but the meeting ended in a draw as Sheffield got a heat advantage in the final race of the night to make it 45-45. It was a spirited display by the injury-hit Witches, but it was Sheffield who were crowned Knockout Cup champions after a 20-point aggregate win.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s draw against Sheffield.

“I was proud of the boys tonight; it was a mammoth task ahead of them even more so after losing Jordan last night. They came out and put everything into it and gave us a bit of hope at the start of the meeting after starting off so well. It would have been easy after recent results to roll over and take another defeat and use excuses, but they didn’t. They came out and fought like you should in a cup final and it gives us great optimism going into the play-offs on Monday.

“We know what could have been if we didn’t have all of the injuries but that is the situation and as a team, we are not thinking about that. They are doing the best they can do, and we are missing two of the best riders in the league, it is what it is. Everyone talks about it a lot more than we do as a team, the guys are out there and are doing their jobs better than expected for most of them. We will have a full one to seven next week and we look forward to Monday. I was very pleased with the improvement we have shown in the last few weeks, it was immense tonight and it gives the boys a lot to build on for Monday now.

“Keynan was exceptionally good tonight; he has stepped back into the team after that spell at reserve and to see him riding that well in the main body of the team gives us great optimism looking ahead to next year. He is our rider and someone we would like to keep so that is pleasing to see.

“Dan is back at reserve and looked super quick. It is good to see his improvement around here as well. He was a bit down on confidence around Foxhall in the last month, so it was great to see him score well, and I thought he looked the quickest he’s ever looked tonight.

“I can’t see Jordan riding again this season. He was here tonight so fair play to him; he came straight from hospital to support the boys which is great commitment and something I love to see.

“Many congratulations to Sheffield on winning the cup, I know they were disappointed to miss out to us last year and they were by far the better team over the two legs.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Rew looked an accomplished heat leader in the number three position, racking up 14 points which included three race wins and some entertaining passing moves.

WHAT IT MEANS

Although a patched-up Ipswich side battled to a draw on the night, Sheffield are 2024 Knockout Cup champions after claiming the aggregate victory.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 9th September in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final first leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD – KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL SECOND LEG (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup final second leg fixture with Sheffield.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 5th September in a Knockout Cup final second leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

Simply Climate Control – Simply Climate Control is a progressive business specialising in the design, supply and installation of heating, ventilation & air conditioning (hvac) systems for retail, commercial, industrial & domestic spaces.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.36 2. Adam Ellis 5.61 3. Keynan Rew 5.43 4. Tom Brennan (G) 9.12 5. Danny King © 6.48 6. James Pearson (G) 3.74 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 8.70 2. Kyle Howarth 5.35 © 3. Chris Holder 8.65 4. Josh Pickering 6.61 5. R/R for Tai Woffinden 8.67 6. Jason Edwards 3.52 7. Dan Gilkes (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

REFEREE: C. Gay

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 51-39 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 50-40 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 54-36 King’s Lynn

FINAL

First Leg: Sheffield 55–35 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich vs Sheffield

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £23 for adults and £21 for concessions (65+) & students (21 & under). Tickets for children aged 6-16 are £1 whilst children 5 & under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3.50 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 ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches take on Sheffield in the decisive second leg of the Knockout Cup final on Thursday at Foxhall.

The two sides met at Owlerton on Monday as the Tigers ran out 55-35 winners leaving the Witches with a mountain to climb if they are to retain the trophy. Ipswich’s season has been decimated by injuries and they remain without the world class talents of Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov. Tom Brennan guests for the injured Sayfutdinov and rider replacement will be in operation at number one after being unable to secure a guest rider for the fixture.

Sadly on Wednesday night, the club suffered another injury as Jordan Jenkins crashed whilst riding for his Championship club and he is going for an X-ray on a suspected broken wrist. James Pearson guests at reserve.

The Witches beat the Tigers 50-40 at Foxhall back in June but also suffered a 38-52 defeat last month against Sheffield. One thing is for certain is that this Ipswich team will be giving it their all on Thursday night as they look to pull off a miraculous turnaround in front of their home supporters.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“We saw in last year’s play-off final what Sheffield did to us in the second leg of that, things happen in sport. We are massive underdogs and face an uphill task, but we will be out there giving it everything. We don’t want to let the trophy go that we have worked so hard for, and the boys have shown enough this year for everyone to know what they are about and how hard they are going to fight.

“Everyone is out there doing everything, but we have lost our top end. If you look at how the bottom end has improved throughout the year in Jordan, Dan and Keynan, they have done their jobs and everything we planned has gone the way we wanted for them this year and they have got into good form at this time of year. Even though we have been losing and had bad results they are still confident because they are doing their jobs well.

“It was great to have Adam back on Monday and he has got a couple of meetings under his belt now which will have him sharper for Thursday. We have Tom coming in and we know how good he can be around Ipswich. It is a team that can win a lot of races at home, and they will all be out there looking to perform at their best and if they all do, we still have a chance.

“We will be running R/R at one for Jason which is far from ideal. Unfortunately, we could not find a suitable guest to fill the spot and it makes the task even harder. All six boys need to be firing anyway and they will all have the opportunity to have extra rides to cover the number one position.

“We need to start well and get momentum going early and keep it going from there. It looks like we will need a near-perfect night from everyone and obviously that is what we will be going out aiming to do.”

THE TIGERS

Sheffield head to Foxhall in prime position to win the Knockout Cup after their big first leg win in South Yorkshire. The Tigers need just 36 points on Thursday to lift the trophy and they will be full of confidence having beaten an injury-hit Ipswich in Suffolk just a few weeks ago.

The visitors are without Tai Woffinden and will operate rider replacement at number five.

RACEDAY REPORT: SHEFFIELD 55-35 IPSWICH – KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

SHEFFIELD 55: Jack Holder 18 (Maximum), Kyle Howarth © 3, Chris Holder 10+1, Josh Pickering 17+1 (Paid Maximum), Tai Woffinden R/R, Jason Edwards 6+1, Dan Gilkes (RS) 1. Team Manager: Simon Stead

IPSWICH 35: Jaimon Lidsey (G) 7, Keynan Rew 6+1, Danny King © 4+1, Tom Brennan (G) 6, Adam Ellis 5+2, Jordan Jenkins 3+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 51-39 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 50-40 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 54-36 King’s Lynn

FINAL

First Leg: Sheffield 55-35 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich vs Sheffield (5th Sep)

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were well beaten at Sheffield on Monday night in the first leg of the Knockout Cup final.

The visitors remain without their top two riders in Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov due to injuries with Jaimon Lidsey and Tom Brennan guesting in their absence. The hosts were running rider replacement for Tai Woffinden. Sheffield registered a string of 4-2s in the first half of the contest and found themselves 12 points to the good after nine races. Ipswich battled hard in the second half of the meeting but leave themselves with a big deficit to overturn at Foxhall after a 20-point defeat. Lidsey top scored with seven points.

Sheffield struck a 4-2 in heat one and heat two was stopped after a tight first bend saw Dan Thompson fall and he was excluded from the race. In the re-run Jason Edwards managed to hold off Jordan Jenkins to win in another heat advantage to the home team. The 4-2s kept on coming in heat three before a shared heat four left the score 15-9.

It was back to a Sheffield 4-2 in heat five and another followed in heat six as Jack Holder won and Kyle Howarth passed Jenkins late on in the race for a point. It was the same result in heat seven as Chris Holder won on this occasion and Edwards passed Danny King on the race to the line for third. The Witches finally got their first race win of the night in heat eight as Keynan Rew was first across the line and he was followed home by Thompson for a maximum that made it 28-20.

The Tigers registered their first 5-1 of the night in heat nine and heat 10 was shared. There was another 3-3 in heat 11 but the home team hit another maximum in heat 12 to put them 44-28 up as they secured victory on the night.

Jack Holder won heat 13 but Lidsey and Adam Ellis relegated Howarth to the back to prevent another heat advantage. Josh Pickering picked up his fifth win of the night in heat 14 but once again the visitors prevented a heat advantage as Jenkins battled past Edwards for third. Jack Holder and Pickering completed their maximums in heat 15 as they raced to a 5-1 as Sheffield put one hand on the trophy ahead of Thursday’s second leg in Suffolk.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat at Sheffield.

“It was a far bigger deficit than we were looking to pull back on Thursday. It is quite clear that we have lost our race winners, and we are not winning enough races without them. That was the big difference and there were heats that we needed to attack for heat advantages. One of those was heat two and Dan fell straight away which immediately puts you on the back foot from then on. There were other heats where we shouldn’t drop points and we did, and we have left ourselves a big task on Thursday.

“The guests are coming in and doing a decent job, but you are never going to get a like for like replacement. I was really pleased with the commitment from Jaimon and Tom, and they gave everything for the team. You are not going to get straight replacements for Jason and Emil, we know that.

“It was great to see so many of our fans up there, the support was amazing as always. It is even more appreciated now when we know things are tough and it was nice to chat to a few of them after the meeting who are very loyal and understanding of the situation we are in at the moment.

“We go into Thursday with the boys determined not to roll over and to put everything into pulling the points back. We have had big wins at home in the past and if we can get on a roll, you never know.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Rew provided the only race winner of the night for Ipswich and did his job on his return to the main body of the team.

WHAT IT MEANS

Sheffield take a 20-point lead to Foxhall meaning Ipswich have it all to do in the second leg to retain the title.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 5th September in a Knockout Cup final second leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL DATES CONFIRMED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches’ ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final fixtures against the Leicester Lions have been confirmed.

The first leg will take place at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 9th September. The second leg will be at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena on Thursday 12th September.

Tickets for the home leg can be purchased here.

You can read the full statement from BSPL with the details behind the decision below.

The schedule for the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-finals has been confirmed – with the title-deciding action getting underway at Ipswich on Monday September 9.

Dates and venues have been agreed for all four meetings in order to provide clarity for supporters intending to attend the events and to assist clubs with planning and publicity.

The Witches face a clash with current form side Leicester, starting at Foxhall, with the second leg to take place at the Pidcock Motorcycles Arena, Beaumont Park 72 hours later on Thursday September 12.

The following week features a ‘War of the Roses’ contest as Belle Vue and Sheffield meet in a repeat of the dramatic 2022 Grand Final, which was won by the Aces before the Tigers took the title last year against Ipswich.

Belle Vue stage the first leg of the semi-final at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday September 16, with the return at Owlerton on Thursday September 19.

The Grand Final will take place over two legs on Monday September 23 and Thursday September 26.

Premiership CEO Phil Morris said: “We do realise that the exact finishing positions in the league will only be resolved following next week’s fixtures between Leicester and King’s Lynn.

“However, we have taken a commercial decision with agreement from all clubs involved that it is in everyone’s best interests to have these semi-finals confirmed now.
“The intention was to have a blank week in terms of league matches to enable build-up to the semi-finals, but that had to change due to the weather which meant two fixtures needed to be slotted in during KO Cup Final week.

“It wasn’t going to be ideal to wait until next Thursday to confirm a play-off meeting for the following Monday, and whilst we’ve had a good run with the weather lately you never know when that may change in any case.

“The clubs are in agreement with this decision, and they can now go ahead with promotion and publicity for their semi-finals with full clarity regarding their dates and opponents.”

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINALS
MONDAY SEPTEMBER 9: Ipswich v Leicester

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 12: Leicester v Ipswich

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 16: Belle Vue v Sheffield

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 19: Sheffield v Belle Vue

RACEDAY PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD – KNOCKOUT CUP FINAL FIRST LEG (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Knockout Cup final first leg fixture with Sheffield.

WHEN & WHERE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Sheffield to face the Tigers at Owlerton Stadium on Monday 2nd September in a Knockout Cup final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 8.70 2. Kyle Howarth 5.35 © 3. Chris Holder 8.65 4. Josh Pickering 6.61 5. R/R for Tai Woffinden 8.67 6. Jason Edwards 3.52 7. Dan Gilkes (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

IPSWICH: 1. Jaimon Lidsey (G) 9.36 2. Keynan Rew 5.43 3. Danny King © 6.48 4. Tom Brennan (G) 9.12 5. Adam Ellis 5.61 6. Jordan Jenkins 3.74 7. Dan Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: P. Carrington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

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

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 51-39 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 50-40 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 54-36 King’s Lynn

FINAL

Ipswich vs Sheffield

TICKETS

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches head to Sheffield on Monday for the first leg of the Knockout Cup final.

The Witches are the current holders of the trophy having beaten the Tigers in last year’s final and the Suffolk side have sailed through to the final again this season winning home and away in both the quarter-final and semi-final.

However, Ipswich go into the final as underdogs and out of form. The club have lost their two star riders to injury in Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov and have lost their last six fixtures on the bounce. Ritchie Hawkins has secured the services of Jaimon Lidsey to guest at number one whilst Tom Brennan is at number four.

The visitors do welcome back Adam Ellis to the team having recovered from his concussion. The new averages also see Dan Thompson drop to reserve and Keynan Rew back in the main body of the team.

It’s been a tough few weeks for the club but they have performed well at Owlerton in 2024, winning 46-44 and narrowly losing by the same scoreline. A similar result either way would give the Witches confidence heading into the second leg at Foxhall next Thursday as they look to defend their crown.

FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives us his pre-match thoughts…

“Tom is going to come in now and do the rest of the season with us in the cup final and play-offs. I am delighted to have him part of the team and he has done well when he has ridden for us before. He was brilliant on Thursday against us and is a rider who has had another great year of improvement. I know he is excited to finish the season with us.

“Jaimon is someone we have tried to book as a guest throughout the year, but we haven’t been able to. I know he had a tough meeting at Sheffield last week, but he has done well there in the past.

“Sheffield is somewhere we have done well this year by being solid throughout and that is something that we will need to do again on Monday. The meeting is over two legs and I think it is going to be a tight battle throughout.

“With our recent troubles, Sheffield will be clear favourites, but we certainly won’t be giving up the trophy easily.

“We have had a tough few weeks but if anyone is going into the cup final thinking about that then they are in the wrong sport. We have been the best team in the league for the majority of the league and if we want to win trophies we have got to fight hard and that is what we will be doing next week.”

THE TIGERS

Sheffield have enjoyed another strong campaign, and like the Witches find themselves in the play-offs and Knockout Cup final again. The Tigers have had to battle their way through to the final this year, overcoming Belle Vue in a super heat in the quarter final and overturning a 10-point deficit against King’s Lynn in the semi-final. The hosts have suffered just one defeat at home all year, against the Witches.

The home team are without Tai Woffinden and originally were due to be missing Dan Gilkes. Chris Harris was booked to guest for Woffinden before he was declared ineligible having guested for Ipswich earlier in the competition and rider replacement will now be in operation at five. Joe Thompson was the original guest declared for Gilkes but the club then announced that Nathan Ablitt would guest. On Sunday it was then announced that Gilkes would take his place in the line-up.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £23, concessions (over 65s & students) £21, kids (up to and including age 17) £1 whilst children under five go free. Official programmes cost £3. All the stadium is open except the back straight which remains closed for safety reasons. There is seating in the Panorama Room, which also boasts a restaurant and bar overlooking the track. There is a fast-food bar, and the Panorama Room Restaurant also offers a ‘Speedway Special’ carvery with a choice of meats. The Panorama Room Restaurant has large bar with ideal viewing facilities in addition to the carvery. Reserve your table now by calling Owlerton Stadium on 01142 343074. For travel information head here.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 44–46 BIRMINGHAM – ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP R2 (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

The Fat Cat Ipswich – They are a small, friendly Free House where you can enjoy a wide selection of up to twenty real ales served straight from the cask from our temperature-controlled tap room. Also, on offer are up to seven real ciders as well as a selection of gins, whiskies, rums, wines and Belgian beers. They are a pub about the beer and the people so whether it is lively debate you’re after or a quiet pint in the greenery filled garden, you can find it there!

The Fat Cat Colchester – Fat Cat Colchester is a well-established free house serving a great selection of ales, wines, spirits and food. You’ll be warmly greeted by their friendly atmosphere, the oak bar with a row of hand pumps advertising a selection of real ales. Above the bar, a blackboard details the wide range of beers sourced locally, nationally and from abroad.

Ipswich Town Football Club – They offer an extensive range of hospitality, advertising and sponsorship opportunities to place your business front and centre, plus unforgettable experiences for their passionate and loyal supporters.

Whether you’re looking to catapult your brand through a bespoke partnership or impress and engage key clients at a memorable match day, Ipswich Town Football Club is the place to do it.

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 44: Scott Nicholls (G) 8+1, Dan Thompson (RS) 8+1, Danny King © 7, Troy Batchelor (G) 9+2, Emil Sayfutdinov R/R, Keynan Rew 8+1, Jordan Jenkins 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BIRMINGHAM 46: Fredrik Lindgren © 15 (Maximum), Piotr Pawlicki R/R, Antti Vuolas (G) 0, Zach Cook 9+1, Tom Brennan 14+3, Michael Palm Toft 5+1, Leon Flint (RS) 3+1. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

REFEREE: M. Wear

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield2442
Leicester2237
Belle Vue2437
Ipswich2434
Oxford2426
King’s Lynn*2220
Birmingham2411
*King’s Lynn deducted 2 league points on 18.05.24 for breach of SCB rules.

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches finished their regular ROWE Motor Oil Premiership campaign with a defeat to Birmingham on Thursday night at Foxhall.

The hosts welcomed back Keynan Rew at reserve but were still without the trio of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Adam Ellis. Scott Nicholls guested at one and Troy Batchelor came in for Ellis whilst rider replacement was used for Sayfutdinov. Birmingham were without Piotr Pawlicki and Wiktor Lampart with Antti Vuolas in for Lampart and rider replacement in operation for Pawlicki. The meeting was tight throughout with the Witches holding a narrow lead for most of the contest until Birmingham hit the front in heat 13.  The Witches responded with a 5-1 in heat 14 to retake the lead but the Brummies hit a maximum in heat 15 to give them their first away win of the season and the aggregate bonus point having also beaten Ipswich on Monday at Perry Barr. Batchelor top scored with 9+2.

Fredrik Lindgren won a shared heat one and Rew did the same in heat two. The Witches went in front in three courtesy of a maximum from Danny King and Batchelor. There was another 3-3 in heat four leaving Ipswich 14-10 up.

Birmingham levelled the score in heat five as they raced to a fortunate maximum with King retiring with mechanical issues whilst in second. The Suffolk side went back in front in heat six as Nicholls got the better of Tom Brennan to win and Dan Thompson finished third for the 4-2. Heat seven was shared but Ipswich extended their lead in heat eight with a 5-1 from Thompson and Jordan Jenkins, making it 27-21.

The away side recorded a heat advantage in heat nine and Thompson was a winner again in a shared heat 10. The scores were level after heat 11 as Lindgren and Brennan hit a maximum. The Witches regained the lead in heat 12 as King won in a 4-2 putting the hosts 37-35 in front.

Birmingham then took a big step towards victory with another maximum from Lindgren and Brennan in heat 13 putting them in the lead. However, the hosts responded, roaring to a 5-1 of their own in heat 14 thanks to Rew and Batchelor, taking it to a last-heat decider with the home team two points ahead. It was the combination of Lindgren and Brennan that won it though as the pair struck another 1-5 which condemned Ipswich to a sixth defeat in a row.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat against Birmingham.

“I know we are short of riders, but it was a meeting we should have been able to win and cover that, but we didn’t. We had some bad luck and some machinery problems but really, we should have been good enough for that not to matter.

“Freddie and Tom were brilliant tonight, and we didn’t get many from R/R instead of Emil, R/R has been a struggle of late, it is not that easy to find suitable guests either. It didn’t work tonight, and Scott and Danny were our two heat leaders and they both suffered mechanical problems. That all contributed to the defeat.

“On a positive note, Dan has struggled the last few weeks, but it was good to see him get a good meeting under his belt. He will be dropping to reserve to finish the season and it should be a good confidence boost for him and I am really pleased for him. Keynan carried on riding very well on his return to the side and suffered no ill effects after his recent injury which is good news. I thought after heat two Jordan put in a couple of good rides which carries on his improvement in form. In that respect, the lower end of the team has improved and is doing well.

“Now the league has finished, and we have got a massive cup final next week. From here on in we should be settled with one or two guests and a full one to seven. We will regroup for the cup final and play-offs and will be ready to try and win some trophies.”

FAT CAT & IPSWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

Ipswich Town chose Thompson who scored 8+1.

The Fat Cat went for King who scored seven points.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich complete their league campaign finishing fourth and will race whoever finishes top of the league in the play-offs. Birmingham end their season on a high picking up three points but finish bottom of the table.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Sheffield to take on the Tigers on Monday 2nd September in the first leg of the Knockout Cup final. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.