Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY GUIDE | SHEFFIELD (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 12th June in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

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.

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.10 2. Danny King 6.24 © 3. Adam Ellis 5.93 4. Tom Brennan 6.86 5. Sam Masters (G) 9.07 6. Connor Mountain (G) 5.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 8.92 2. R/R for Anders Rowe 5.86 3. Josh Pickering © 7.84 4. Lewis Kerr 5.40 5. Chris Holder 8.12 6. Justin Sedgmen 4.38 7. Leon Flint (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich917
Sheffield917
Belle Vue1017
Leicester1014
King’s Lynn96
Oxford116
Birmingham104

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase in advance here and on the gate and are priced at £24 for adults and £22 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 PREVIEW

The Witches are back in ROWE Motor Oil Premiership action at Foxhall on Thursday as they entertain the Sheffield Tigers.

Following last week’s Knockout Cup postponement, Ipswich haven’t raced at home since the 22nd of May when a depleted side fell to their first defeat of the year at home against Leicester. The Suffolk side are still without the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with Sam Masters stepping in as a guest for Doyle and Connor Mountain replacing Thompson at reserve.

It promises to be another stern test for Ritchie Hawkins’ side but a win by more than two points would see them also collect the aggregate bonus point following the 46-44 defeat at Owlerton last month.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“We have got Sam coming in for Jason and we know him very well, he has done a brilliant job every time he has guested for us before. He loves Foxhall so I’m sure he will do a great job again and he is always good to have in the team as he fits in well. Connor will do a couple of meetings guesting for Dan. I have tried a few times to get him in but unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do it due to other commitments he has had. It will be good to have him back in the side and he has been doing really well the last couple of years and often gets overlooked for a ride in the Premiership, so it will be an opportunity he will want to take and do well in and I’m glad to be able to give him that chance.

“Every meeting against Sheffield is tough and we had a great battle up there a few weeks ago and hopefully that will be replicated again on Thursday for the fans. We are keen to come away with three points and they will see it as an opportunity to get a win at Ipswich and we need to get the ball back rolling after a few tough meetings recently.

“I know Jason is keen to do the Grand Prix this weekend, so hopefully he makes it back and is fit enough for that and comes through unscathed so he can get back racing for us very soon, but we will just have to wait and see. Dan is recovering and the bone will fix when it fixes, there is no real update on his situation.”

SHEFFIELD TIGERS

Sheffield currently sit second in the table, level on points with the Witches and Belle Vue after a strong start to the campaign. The Tigers boast a 100% record at home with five wins from five and they have picked up two wins on the road but come into the fixture off the back of a heavy defeat away at Leicester on Monday.

The away side are led by Jack Holder who is currently third in the Grand Prix standings. Rider replacement is in operation for Anders Rowe at number two.

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

Ipswich last welcomed Sheffield to Foxhall in September of 2024 for the second leg of the Knockout Cup final. 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.

JULY FIXTURE UPDATES

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Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group‘ Witches supporters should note the following fixture amendments in July.

Our ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture away at Oxford will now take place on 7th July, moving from the 17th July and will be shown live on TNT Sports.

Our Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture at home to King’s Lynn will now take place on 17th July, having been postponed on 5th June.

IPSWICH V KING’S LYNN – POSTPONED

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches’ Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture against King’s Lynn on Thursday 5th June has been postponed.

With rain forecast throughout the day, a decision was taken on Wednesday evening.

A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

RACEDAY GUIDE | KING’S LYNN (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 5th June in a Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

Fred. Olsen Logistics – Fred. Olsen Logistics offers a complete start to finish operation in freight forwarding and logistics services, their offices based in Ipswich and Felixstowe are perfectly located near to Britain’s largest container port with direct links worldwide as well as fantastic road and rail links across the UK.

The Fat Cat Ipswich – They are a small, friendly Free House where you can enjoy a wide selection of up to fifteen real ales served straight from the cask from our temperature-controlled tap room. Also, on offer are up to five 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.

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.10 2. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.07 3. Adam Ellis 5.93 4. Tom Brennan 6.86 5. Danny King © 6.24 6. Danyon Hume (G) 5.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN: 1. Richard Lawson 6.74 2. Peter Kildemand (G) 6.13 3. Nicolai Klindt © 6.37 4. Chris Harris 6.50 5. Niels-Kristian Iversen 6.72 6. Jan Kvěch 6.10 7. Luke Harrison (G) (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

REFEREE: D. Watters

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 33-57 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 46-44 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 53-37 Oxford. Second Leg: Oxford 37-53 King’s Lynn

First Leg: Belle Vue 40-50 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 67-23 Belle Vue

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Leicester 54-36 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield v Leicester (June 5)

First Leg: King’s Lynn 48-42 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich v King’s Lynn (June 5)

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase in advance here and on the gate and are priced at £24 for adults and £22 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 PREVIEW

The Witches take on the King’s Lynn Stars on Thursday at Foxhall in the decisive second leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final tie.

The two sides met on Monday in the first leg at the Adrian Flux Arena and it was the Stars who came away with a six-point victory. The Suffolk side remain without the key duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with Doyle recovering from a hip injury and Thompson out with a broken scaphoid.

As was the case on Monday, rider replacement will be in operation at two for Doyle with Danyon Hume coming in at number six as a guest for Thompson. Ipswich need to win by more than six points on Thursday evening if they are to progress to their third cup final in three years.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“It’s a massive meeting at Foxhall this week, a cup semi-final against King’s Lynn. We are currently six points behind, and we desperately need everyone there to support us and help us bring that back. At the moment we are down on power but that is when our amazing support can really make the difference. The boys did everyone proud with their effort on Monday and they will certainly be determined to bring those points back on Thursday night.

“King’s Lynn will be determined to get through and buoyed by their result on Monday, bringing a lead. I’m sure they will bring a lot of travelling support who will be hoping to see their side progress. It has been a long time since they had any success, and they will be desperate for some this season, but we are desperate to ruin that and make a third cup final in three years.

“We will be R/R for Jason again, we did ask Maciej (Janowski) if he could guest but he was unavailable this week. The boys are more than capable of covering it and it is hard work for them, but they are committed to the team and to being successful to make it work.

“It was nice for Jason to be with us on Monday, we know he is desperate to be back fit and ready for a cup final.”

KING’S LYNN STARS

King’s Lynn ended a 13-match losing streak against Ipswich with Monday’s win and will have belief they can finish off the job on Thursday after building a six-point lead at the Adrian Flux Arena. The Stars will have to perform better than their last visit to Foxhall though when they suffered a 53-37 defeat. The Norfolk side have lost all four of their away league fixtures by more than 12 points with their only victory on the road coming at Oxford in the quarter-final of the Knockout Cup.

The visitors are without Ben Cook through injury and once again call upon Peter Kildemand as a guest. Luke Harrison will guest at number seven after Ashton Boughen withdrew during Monday’s fixture. The away side currently have Grand Prix rider Jan Kvěch at reserve and he notched 16+2 in the first leg from that position.

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

Ipswich welcomed King’s Lynn to Foxhall just last month in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. The home team went into the fixture at full strength and sitting top of the table with a 100% record whilst the Stars were looking for their first points on the road and were without the injured Ben Cook, with rider replacement in use at number two. Despite that, it was the visitors who would start brightly in the derby in front of a big bank holiday crowd, and they were threatening an upset as they held a six-point lead after seven races. However, that was as good as it got for the Norfolk outfit as Ipswich rattled off eight consecutive heat advantages to win comfortably in the end and preserve their unbeaten start to 2025. Jason Doyle top scored with 12+2.

RACEDAY REPORT | KING’S LYNN 48-42 IPSWICH

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Image courtesy of Ian Burt

SCORECARD

KING’S LYNN 48: Richard Lawson 9, Peter Kildemand (G) 3+1, Nicolai Klindt © 3+1, Chris Harris 13, Niels-Kristian Iversen 4+1, Jan Kvěch 16+2, Ashton Boughen (RS) 0 (Withdrawn). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH 42: Emil Sayfutdinov 11+1, Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis 2+1, Tom Brennan 10, Danny King © 10, Simon Lambert (G) 2+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 7. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Dishington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 33-57 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 46-44 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 53-37 Oxford. Second Leg: Oxford 37-53 King’s Lynn

First Leg: Belle Vue 40-50 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 67-23 Belle Vue

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Leicester 54-36 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield v Leicester (June 5)

First Leg: King’s Lynn 48-42 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich v King’s Lynn (June 5)

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were beaten by six points in the first leg of their Knockout Cup semi-final at King’s Lynn on Monday.

Ipswich arrived in Norfolk without two key riders with Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson absent through injury with rider replacement in operation for Doyle and Simon Lambert in as a guest for Thompson. The hosts were without Ben Cook with Peter Kildemand guesting in his place. Despite the injury woes the Suffolk side battled hard and there was nothing between the two teams after 11 races, but King’s Lynn finished strongly to build a six-point lead ahead of the second leg at Foxhall on Thursday. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 11+1.

The Stars recorded a 4-2 in heat one with Sayfutdinov retiring early on in the race as heat two ended in a 3-3. Heat three was another share of the points as Chris Harris passed both Witches to win. Heat four was stopped with Ashton Boughen falling at the back with partner Niels-Kristian Iversen at the front. In the re-run, Danny King got the first Witches race win of the night in a heat advantage that levelled the score at 12-12.

Sayfutdinov produced a fine ride in heat five, hunting down Harris to win as the points were shared. King picked up another three points in heat six with Lambert holding off Kildemand for a point to edge the away team ahead. Adam Ellis was replaced by Lambert in heat seven after missing the two-minute time allowance and King’s Lynn registered 4-2 to level the score again as Tom Brennan did well to split the home pairing. The struggling Boughen was withdrawn from the meeting with an injury, and he was replaced by fellow reserve and Grand Prix rider Jan Kvěch in heat eight and he and Kildemand raced to a maximum to put the home team 26-22 ahead.

King’s Lynn extended the lead in heat nine as Harris won but King did well to reduce the damage to a 4-2, passing Nicolai Klindt for second. The visitors pulled two points back in heat 10 with Brennan taking the chequered flag ahead of Richard Lawson as Ellis clung on for the point in third under pressure from Kildemand. It was all square again after heat 11 as Brennan and Sayfutdinov teamed up for a maximum.  The hosts went in front in heat 12 with a 4-2 as Kvěch picked up another three points and Jenkins won the battle for second against Klindt with the pair exchanging moves all race leaving the score 37-35.

Sayfutdinov couldn’t be caught in a shared heat 13 but King’s Lynn secured the victory on the night with a 5-1 in heat 14. Sayfutdinov won the final race of the night, but partner Brennan couldn’t find a way past Kvěch at the back meaning King’s Lynn took the first leg of the semi-final by six points.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat at King’s Lynn…

“I’m disappointed not to win, a couple of the boys had tough nights, I feel we should be good enough to win there still even missing Jason and Dan, so to come away with a defeat is disappointing. Six points is not disastrous, and it leaves the tie finely poised and exciting going into Thursday.

“It was a long, drawn-out meeting which isn’t ideal, but it is the same for both teams but is often the case at King’s Lynn where the meetings take a long time. It is something you have to deal with and there are always things to deal with when you come here, so it is no surprise, it didn’t affect the result though.

“Adam had a tough night, but I think he rode better than the couple of points he scored but he had machinery problems and never got a break tonight. I’m sure he will make up for that on Thursday and earn those points back. Obviously when you are already a couple of riders down that puts pressure on everyone else.

“It was a great effort from Jordan, I’m really pleased with him, and I thought Simon came in and did well. Number six is a very tough position but he did well and contributed. I can’t complain about the effort from the team, it was superb as always and it will need to be the same on Thursday and it will be a big task to pull the points back, but we are more than capable of doing it.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted for Sayfutdinov who top scored with 11+1 and registered three race wins.

WHAT IT MEANS

King’s Lynn take a six-point lead into the second leg of the semi-final at Foxhall on Thursday with a place in the final up for grabs.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall on Thursday 5th June in a Knockout Cup semi-final second leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY GUIDE | KING’S LYNN (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to face the Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday 2nd June in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

KING’S LYNN: 1. Richard Lawson 6.74 2. Peter Kildemand (G) 6.13 3. Nicolai Klindt © 6.37 4. Chris Harris 6.50 5. Niels Kristian Iversen 6.72 6. Jan Kvěch 6.10 7. Ashton Boughen (RS). Team Manager: Rob Lyon

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.10 2. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.07 3. Adam Ellis 5.93 4. Tom Brennan 6.86 5. Danny King © 6.24 6. Simon Lambert (G) 5.06 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Dishington

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 33-57 Leicester. Second Leg: Leicester 46-44 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 53-37 Oxford. Second Leg: Oxford 37-53 King’s Lynn

First Leg: Belle Vue 40-50 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 67-23 Belle Vue

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Leicester v Sheffield (June 2). Second Leg: Sheffield v Leicester (June 5)

First Leg: King’s Lynn v Ipswich (June 2). Second Leg: Ipswich v King’s Lynn (June 5)

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase on the gate.

THE PREVIEW

The Witches return to action on Monday with a trip to Norfolk in the first leg of the Knockout Cup semi-final against the King’s Lynn Stars.

An injury-hit Ipswich side were beaten last time out by Leicester at Foxhall in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership but this week the focus turns to Knockout Cup action with a place in the final up for grabs.

The Suffolk side remain without Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson for this fixture with Doyle re-aggravating a hip injury in a crash in Poland and Thompson still on the sidelines with a broken scaphoid. Rider replacement is in operation for Doyle at number two whilst Simon Lambert guests for Thompson at number six.

Emil Sayfutdinov moves to number one this month in the averages with Ritchie Hawkins switching captain Danny King to number five on Monday. Despite their injury troubles, the Witches are bidding to make their third consecutive Knockout Cup final this week.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“Everyone has seen that Jason came back and raced last weekend and had another crash. Luckily it wasn’t a massive crash but obviously it has set him back. On reflection he knows he has come back too soon but you can’t fault his commitment and will to race but it has set him back a few weeks. We are pleased he will be at the fixtures with us in the pits and still helping the team. Dan, there is not a lot more to say really, he is undergoing treatment and waiting for the bone to heal.

“Simon is a track expert around King’s Lynn. He has not had a great start to the season considering how well he has been going in the last couple of years, but he thinks he has come through that now and got his head around his machinery issues. It is very difficult to find someone who we believe can come to Lynn without a lot of experience and score big points but with his record in the past at that track, he is capable of beating anyone on his day. You know what you are going to get, 100% commitment and he is more than capable of stirring things up and scoring good points if it clicks.

“We have very limited options with everyone racing apart from Oxford to try and get a guest for Jason for this week. We have put R/R at two because it works a lot better for the other riders. It is maybe a slightly unusual move to go that way but against King’s Lynn it doesn’t matter where R/R is at, it is about making it easier for us and our boys.

“Jordan had another crash, but it is nothing serious and hopefully he comes through Friday at Redcar well and is raring to go on Monday.”

“It is not ideal to have the semi-final whilst we have injuries, but we have got a great side and a side that is more than capable of covering them. We are focused on making our third cup final in three years and it is a competition we really want to win again. Bar one slight blip, as a team we have been exceptional this season and it fills us with confidence to know how good we have been and how capable our whole side is. We are capable of covering the missing riders and making the final if we perform near our capabilities.”

KING’S LYNN STARS

The hosts have struggled to get going in 2025, with their league form seeing them sit sixth with two wins and six defeats to their name. So, the Knockout Cup presents a new opportunity for the Stars and having seen off Oxford in the quarter-final, they find themselves within reach of a final and will fancy their chances against an Ipswich side missing two key riders.

The Stars are without the injured Ben Cook and have booked Peter Kildemand as a guest at number two.

LAST TIME OUT AT THE ADRIAN FLUX ARENA

The Witches last travelled to Norfolk in July of 2024 and the hosts came into the fixture without the injured duo of Benjamin Basso and Nicolai Klindt with rider replacement being used for Basso and Zach Cook in as a guest for Klindt. Lewis Kerr was also a guest for the home team in place of Tobiasz Musielak who had left the club. The Witches had rider replacement for the injured Doyle but were otherwise at full strength. The away side went in front early on, but it was all level again after nine heats of racing. However, Ipswich found another gear to power themselves to the win. Emil Sayfutdinov and Keynan Rew top scored with 13+1.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £24, concessions (disabled, 66 and over, students) £22, children (12-15 accompanied by adult) £5 and children under 12 go free. Official programmes cost £3.50. 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.

RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH 43–47 LEICESTER

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MEETING SPONSOR

Cycas Hospitality – They’re the leading, pan-European hospitality management company, operating hotels and serviced apartments for their partners in key city locations, travel hubs and leisure destinations. With a portfolio of more than 50 branded and independent properties across twelve European countries and a core purpose to develop and inspire Europe’s best hospitality team, they partner with all the major global brands as well as curating their own independently-branded hotels.

SCORECARD

IPSWICH 43: Jason Doyle R/R, Danny King © 10+1, Adam Ellis 9+1, Tom Brennan 6, Emil Sayfutdinov 12+1, Danyon Hume (G) 2+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER 47: Max Fricke © 8+2, Luke Becker 12+1, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Kyle Howarth 7, Sam Masters 6+1, Drew Kemp 9, Joe Thompson (RS) 0. Team Manager: Jen Crossland

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield817
Ipswich917
Belle Vue815
Leicester811
Oxford106
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches were beaten by Leicester on Thursday night at Foxhall in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The home team were without the key injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with rider replacement being used at number one and Danyon Hume guesting at number six. Ipswich raced into a six-point lead early on but were pegged back by heat seven and the Lions edged ahead in heat nine. Another 2-4 in heat 13 gave Leicester a four-point lead and they held on for the away victory as Ipswich took the aggregate bonus point. Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 12+1.

Visiting number two Luke Becker won a shared heat one and heat two was stopped with the Lions in a good position as Joe Thompson fell on the third bend and was excluded. Jordan Jenkins took victory in the re-run as Ipswich got the first heat advantage of the night. The hosts extended their lead in heat three as Tom Brennan picked up three points and Adam Ellis raced past both Lions in style to join him for the maximum. Sayfutdinov won heat four in a 3-3 leaving the Witches 15-9 up.

The Lions responded in heat five with a 1-5 of their own and it was a 3-3 in heat six won by Sam Masters. Heat seven was stopped with the away side at the front as Hume fell at the back and was excluded. Ryan Douglas won the re-run to level the score and the Leicester race winners kept on coming with Becker taking the chequered flag in a shared heat eight, making it 24-24.

The visitors went ahead in heat nine as Drew Kemp beat Ellis and Masters finished third. Danny King stopped the run of away race winners in heat 10 but with Brennan at the back it was a 3-3. Sayfutdinov followed suit in a shared heat 11 and the run of 3-3s continued in heat 12 with Ellis first across the line meaning Leicester held a 35-37 lead going into the business end of the meeting.

Max Fricke won heat 13 ahead of King and with Masters third it edged his side closer to an away win. The home duo of Brennan and Hume made the gate in heat 14 but Kyle Howarth got the better of both Witches to win the race for a 3-3. Sayfutdinov won the final race of the night but with King at the back it meant the Witches fell to their first defeat of the season at Foxhall although they did pick up the aggregate bonus point.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

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

“I know we were weakened but it was our worst home performance of the season against a very good team who rode well. They were better than us and deserved the victory, but we have got to look ahead at what is to come and write it off because we are still in a great position in the league, and we have a massive meeting in the cup semi-final up next.

“It doesn’t feel like a positive right now, but we picked up the aggregate bonus point. I know there was a lot of talk at the start of the season of us going unbeaten all season but that was never realistic in our heads, but I do feel if we could go the whole season not being beaten on aggregate that would be amazing, and it is something I would like to achieve. So, the aggregate bonus point tonight is good and now we have a break before the cup to know how the injuries are progressing before then.

“Dan went and saw someone today and they are not going to operate which is probably a good thing and he has started treatment to speed up his recovery. Jason is home now and is recovering and we know both want to be back as quickly as possible and they are doing everything they can to do so.

“It is very difficult to replace them, they are arguably the hardest two to replace. When you have a rider at reserve riding like a heat leader that is a massive miss to us, but we have a break now and then the cup that we need to get through and then another break and by the time the league resumes for us hopefully we will have one of them or both back.”

CYCAS HOSPITALITY RIDER OF THE NIGHT

King picked up the award after scoring 10+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich add one point to their total having won the aggregate bonus point after their eight-point win at Leicester earlier in the year but drop to second in the table on points difference. The Lions take two points away from Suffolk and remain fourth.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to King’s Lynn to take on the Stars on Monday 2nd June in a Knockout Cup semi-final first leg tie. Tickets can be purchased on the gate.

RACEDAY GUIDE | LEICESTER (H)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 22nd May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture. Parade: 7.30pm, first race: 7:45pm.

MEETING SPONSOR

Cycas Hospitality – They’re the leading, pan-European hospitality management company, operating hotels and serviced apartments for their partners in key city locations, travel hubs and leisure destinations. With a portfolio of more than 50 branded and independent properties across twelve European countries and a core purpose to develop and inspire Europe’s best hospitality team, they partner with all the major global brands as well as curating their own independently-branded hotels.

LINE-UPS

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.17 2. Danny King © 6.15 3. Adam Ellis 5.68 4. Tom Brennan 6.60 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.93 6. Danyon Hume (G) 4.66 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

LEICESTER: 1. Max Fricke © 8.91 2. Luke Becker 7.12 3. Ryan Douglas 6.92 4. Kyle Howarth 5.40 5. Sam Masters 7.33 6. Drew Kemp 3.86 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

REFEREE: C. Turnbull

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich816
Belle Vue815
Sheffield714
Leicester79
Oxford95
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

TICKET NEWS

Tickets are available to purchase in advance here and on the gate and are priced at £24 for adults and £22 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 PREVIEW

The Witches return to Foxhall on Thursday as they take on the Leicester Lions in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich have been on the road over the last week, losing narrowly at Sheffield last Thursday before returning to winning ways at Birmingham on Monday night despite their injury troubles.  

The home team remain without the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson. Doyle is recovering from a dislocated hip after a crash in the Warsaw Grand Prix whilst Thompson is out with a broken scaphoid that he picked up in a crash at the British U21 Final. Rider replacement is in operation at number one whilst former Witch Danyon Hume guests at number six. Team manager Ritchie Hawkins has reverted back to the riding order that has been used for the majority of the season.

The Suffolk side will be looking to add an aggregate bonus point to their tally, having won 49-41 at Leicester earlier in the season but know it will need another team performance to cover the missing Doyle and Thompson against strong opposition.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“Great to be back at home and it will be a really tough test against a solid team and with us missing Jason and Dan, they will fancy their chances. We covered their absences really well on Monday and are we are going to need another massive team effort on Thursday to keep our home run going. We have done very well at home and the boys are full of confidence.

“It is very difficult to bring anyone in for Jason who we feel can do a good job and with the form and ability the other boys have got everywhere at the moment, but even more so at home, we feel they are strong enough to cover Jason on Thursday.

“Danyon knows the club well and is very good at Ipswich and also rode against us here for Birmingham and we love getting him in the team if we can. He was unfortunate to lose his place with us a few seasons ago, but he loves being part of the team and we like to keep that continuity. We have a great relationship with Danyon at he is definitely the best option to go round Foxhall tonight.

“We want to have Jason and Dan back of course. After tonight we have a break and then the focus is on the Knockout Cup which is extremely important and then we have another week off. That should give the boys time to know when they will be back, so as time goes on, we will keep an eye on things and do whatever we can do for the best of the team.

“It is the toughest meeting we could have asked for at this time unfortunately. They go very well at Foxhall and will love coming here this year. They will feel it is the best opportunity to win here and will be coming to take the points, so we need to keep performing as a unit if we want to win.”

LEICESTER LIONS

Last year’s runners-up have started the season reasonably well and sit fourth in the division. The visitors have already got two wins on the road to their name at Birmingham and Oxford but have lost twice on their travels, narrowly at King’s Lynn and by 14 points at Belle Vue on Monday. With Ipswich missing two key riders, the Lions will sense this is an opportunity to pick up an away victory at a place they have had some success at in recent seasons.

Leicester have made a change since that defeat at home to Ipswich last month, with Dan Gilkes replacing Sam Hagon. However, Gilkes has since picked up an injury and has been replaced temporarily by Joe Thompson.

LAST TIME WE MET IN SUFFOLK

Ipswich last welcomed Leicester to Foxhall in September of 2024 for the first leg of the play-off semi-final. The Suffolk side entered the play-offs without the likes of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins due to injury with Jan Kvěch, Tom Brennan and Ashton Boughen guesting for the missing home trio. Second-placed Leicester came into the play-offs without Ryan Douglas and Craig Cook with Lewi Kerr in for Cook and rider replacement in operation for Douglas.

Despite the injury issues and having gone eight without a win prior to the fixture 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 were relieved to leave Suffolk just eight points behind having been second best for the majority of the night. Kvěch top scored with 10+1.

RACEDAY REPORT | BIRMINGHAM 41-49 IPSWICH

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Image courtesy of Phil McGlynn

SCORECARD

BIRMINGHAM 41: Tobiasz Musielak © 16, Paco Castagna 7, Michael Jepsen Jensen R/R, Keynan Rew 6+1, Matej Zagar 6+1, Jonas Jeppesen 2, Jason Edwards (RS) 4+1. Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH 49: Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis 9, Emil Sayfutdinov 9+2, Danny King © 8, Tom Brennan 10+2, Danyon Hume (G) 2+1, Jordan Jenkins (RS) 11+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Durno

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich816
Belle Vue815
Sheffield714
Leicester79
Oxford95
King’s Lynn84
Birmingham70

THE REPORT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches returned to winning ways at Birmingham on Monday night in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

The visitors arrived at Perry Barr without the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson with rider replacement in operation at number one and Danyon Hume guesting at number six. The hosts were using rider replacement at number three for Michael Jepsen Jensen who quit the club over the weekend. Despite the injuries and suffering a number of mechanical issues whilst in scoring positions in the first half of the meeting, the Witches held an eight-point lead after nine races. The Brummies fought back with the help of a tactical substitute to narrow that lead to just two points, but it wasn’t enough as the Suffolk side secured the win with a race to spare. Jordan Jenkins top scored with 11+1.

Heat one didn’t get past the first turn as Tobiasz Musielak was the victim of some first bend bunching. Tom Brennan won the re-run with Adam Ellis third for a heat advantage as Musielak retired at the back. That was followed by a maximum in heat two thanks to Jenkins and Hume. Emil Sayfutdinov led heat three but retired with machinery problems allowing Keynan Rew to win in a 4-2. There were more mechanical gremlins for Ipswich in heat four as Brennan retired on the opening lap which resulted in another heat advantage to Birmingham making it 11-13 to Ipswich overall.

Heat five eventually got going at the third time of asking and it was worth the wait for the Witches as Ellis and Sayfutdinov raced to a maximum. The home team registered a 4-2 in heat six as Musielak won but Brennan worked hard to get the better of Paco Castagna for second and Hume retired. Danny King and Sayfutdinov then teamed up for a 1-5 in heat seven with Jonas Jeppesen the latest rider to not complete the race. Ellis and Jenkins looked set for another maximum in heat eight but yet again bike issues intervened with Ellis dropping out of the race, meaning it ended in a 3-3 as Jenkins fended off the Castagna charge, making it 20-28 overall.

Brennan took victory in a shared heat nine and the home team pulled two points back in heat 10 with a 4-2. Birmingham team manager Chris Adams put Musielak out as a tactical substitute in heat 11 and it had the desired effect as he and Matej Zagar hit a 5-1, putting them just two points behind. Sayfutdinov couldn’t be caught in heat 12 as Jenkins finished third for a Witches 2-4 giving the away team a 34-38 lead.

The points were shared in heat 13 and Ipswich secured the victory in heat 14 with a 1-5 awarded after Rew crashed out late on in the race whilst chasing King at the front as Jenkins was promoted into second. The final race of the night ended in a 3-3 as the travelling supporters celebrated a fourth away win of the season in the league.

RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win at Birmingham…

“I thought it was a great performance, and we bounced back from Thursday despite being two riders down. We needed a full team performance to cover R/R and Dan’s absence, and we had a performance from six riders that all had a win or a paid win. It was solid throughout and I’m really happy with that. We had a few mechanical gremlins that made life hard for us but on reflection it was good to have them tonight and get them out the way all in one go seeing as we still got the win! It certainly made it too close for comfort and is something we can’t afford to be happening later on in the season.

“Every rider had different problems; things that can happen and rarely happen and they all happened in one go. It is good to get them out of the way and I’m delighted with the boys, and we are all leaving really happy.

“Jordan had another excellent night here and it was great to see him bounce back from a couple of tough meetings. He really stepped up to the plate and top scored in an away win so you can’t ask for more than that. Overall, we covered R/R well too.

“We will know more about Jason and Dan as the week progresses regarding a timescale of how long they will be out for. We are at the stage that we know they are injured we just need to know the extent of the damage and recovery times and we should know that this week.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Fans online voted for reserve Jenkins who top scored with 11+1 and stepped up in the absence of Thompson.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up another two points and remain top of the table whilst Birmingham stay bottom and are yet to pick up any points in 2025.

NEXT FIXTURE

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Leicester Lions at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 22nd May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

RACEDAY GUIDE | BIRMINGHAM (A)

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The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Birmingham to face the Brummies at the Perry Barr Stadium on Monday 19th May in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R2 fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

LINE-UPS

BIRMINGHAM: 1. Tobiasz Musielak © 7.79 2. Paco Castagna 4.74 3. R/R for Michael Jepsen Jensen 7.33 4. Keynan Rew 5.81 5. Matej Zagar 7.20 6. Jonas Jeppesen 4.50 7. Jason Edwards (RS). Team Manager: Chris Adams

IPSWICH: 1. R/R for Jason Doyle 9.17 2. Adam Ellis 5.68 3. Emil Sayfutdinov 8.93 4. Danny King © 6.15 Tom Brennan 6.60 6. Danyon Hume (G) 4.66 7. Jordan Jenkins (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: C. Durno

ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Ipswich714
Belle Vue712
Sheffield611
Leicester69
Oxford95
King’s Lynn74
Birmingham60

TICKET NEWS

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

THE PREVIEW

The Witches are on their travels again on Monday as they visit Birmingham in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

Ipswich were in action on Thursday at Sheffield where they were defeated for the first time in 2025 after a last-heat decider went the way of the Tigers. Ritchie Hawkins experimented with a new riding order for that fixture and sticks with it for the trip to Perry Barr.

Rider replacement will be in operation at number one for Jason Doyle who dislocated his hip in a crash at the Warsaw Grand Prix on Saturday. The Australian’s hip was put back in later that evening and he also suffered a slight cut to his face. Doyle will be leaving hospital on Monday and will start intensive physio in Poland immediately.

Further bad news came on Sunday when Dan Thompson suffered a broken scaphoid in a crash at the British Under 21 Final in Glasgow. Former Witch Danyon Hume will guest at number six. We wish Jason and Dan all the best in their recoveries.

The Suffolk side already know what it takes to win at Perry Barr, having raced to a 47-43 victory there last month and unless the pair meet in the play-offs, it will be the last ever visit to Birmingham on Monday with the club announcing it will close at the end of the season.

MANAGER’S NOTES

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

“We didn’t perform that well there earlier in the year and they ran us close, so we will need to improve on that performance, but we will go there with great confidence. I still believe on paper they are a good team, Zagar is back which is a massive bonus for them, and I think it will be a tight, tough test.

“I had a chat with the boys afterwards and we are going to stick with the riding order on Monday. It is hard to just chuck them in it for one meeting, so it gives them a bit of consistency. We have a very solid team whatever order they are in, so it shouldn’t make too much difference. They all need to be prepared to ride in any order and that is what they are doing.

“I’m concentrated on us but with the team they have, to not have any points on the board is surprising. They weren’t helped by not having their current line-up for their fixtures against Oxford, but I think if the team they have now clicks, I think they will be a strong team as the season goes on.”

*These quotes were given prior to the injuries to Doyle and Thompson. There will be quotes on both riders in the Raceday Report.

BIRMINGHAM BRUMMIES

Birmingham have had a torrid start to 2025 and sit bottom of the table with no points to their name after six fixtures. The Brummies have already been beaten three times on home shale in the league, including that defeat to Ipswich just a few weeks ago. The hosts know they need to turn things around quickly in their last ever season before the top four pull away.

The club have made a change since they last faced Ipswich, bringing in Paco Castagna for Antti Vuolas. Matej Zagar returns to the side having now had his visa approved. However, the Brummies were rocked by news on Sunday that Michael Jepsen Jensen has decided to quit racing in the UK and rider replacement will be in operation at number three in his absence.

LAST TIME OUT AT PERRY BARR

The Witches last travelled to Birmingham just a few weeks ago in April and came away with a 47-43 victory. After a tight opening to proceedings the away side managed to open up an eight-point lead after eight heats of action and looked to be on course for a comfortable win. However, the Brummies battled back to level things going into the final three races. Two heat advantages to Ipswich secured the two league points with a race to spare. Dan Thompson top scored with 15 from reserve.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £24, concessions £21, students (17-22 with proof of ID) £11 and children 16 and under go free. Official programmes cost £3.00 and car parking is £3.00. There is a modern three level grandstand extending for the full length of the home straight. On ground level there is a bar and refreshments area plus souvenir sales shop. Closed circuit television monitors show the racing and replays. There are also extensive bar and restaurant and light refreshment facilities.

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