Author Archives: Henry Chard

About Henry Chard

Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway

RACEDAY REPORT: WOLVERHAMPTON 42–48 IPSWICH – PREMIERSHIP (A)

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By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

WOLVES 42: Sam Masters © 11+1, Steve Worrall 6+1, Luke Becker 4, Thomas Jorgensen (g) 3, Nick Morris 10+2, Drew Kemp 6+2, Joe Thompson (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Peter Adams

IPSWICH 48: Jason Doyle 13, Erik Riss 6+1, Danny King © 8, Ben Barker 6+1, Troy Batchelor 6+1, Paul Starke 7, Danyon Hume (RS) 2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S. Perkin

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue38
Ipswich26
Sheffield13
Wolverhampton23
King’s Lynn10
Peterborough30

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches raced to a fantastic away win at Wolverhampton on Monday night to continue their winning start to the Premiership season.

Ipswich were without Anders Rowe due to illness with number eight Danyon Hume stepping in whilst Wolves were without Ryan Douglas and Leon Flint due to injury. The meeting swung back and forth in the opening eight races with both sides leading at different points, but it was the visitors who kicked on in the second half to secure a fine victory on the road. Jason Doyle top scored with 13 points.

Ipswich number one Doyle got off to a fine start as he passed both Wolves to ensure a share of the points in the opening race. Paul Starke was looking comfortable at the front in heat two but suffered machinery issues on the final lap which handed the hosts a 5-1 to take the lead in the tie. It was level again after heat three though as Danny King and Ben Barker raced from the gate for a maximum. Team manager Ritchie Hawkins made a reserve switch in heat four putting Starke in for Hume, but Starke was forced to go off 15 metres at the start after not making the two-minute time allowance. Troy Batchelor took the chequered flag and Starke worked overtime from the back to eventually pass Joe Thompson on the final turn to take third and edge the Witches two points ahead.

Doyle showed his class again to win heat five and was joined by partner Erik Riss for another maximum to the visitors. Heat six didn’t get past the first turn with Steve Worrall falling after a tight first corner but all four riders were called back for the re-run. There was no catching the Wolves duo of Sam Masters and Worrall in the re-run as the home team hit back immediately with a 5-1 of their own. Wolves re-took the lead in heat seven with another maximum thanks to Nick Morris and Drew Kemp. Riss was a winner in heat eight whilst Hume and Worrall fought it out for second and it was the home rider who won the battle on the final bend to split the visitors, leaving the scores level after eight heats of racing.  

Wolves guest Thomas Jorgensen went through the tapes at the start of heat nine and was forced to go off 15 metres in the re-run where the Witches took full advantage as Starke and Batchelor teamed up for a maximum to put them back in front on the night. King won heat 10 ahead of Masters with Barker picking up a point to extend the Witches’ lead to six. There was another case of first bend bunching in heat 11 with Kemp this time the victim but all four riders were invited back for a second go. Doyle continued his unbeaten start with yet another race win in the re-run as Morris held off Riss for second, but it was another heat advantage to the Suffolk side which now left them eight points up. Wolves boss Peter Adams put Morris in as a tactical substitute in heat 12 but it was Starke who was victorious and in his attempts to chase the Ipswich man, Morris went wide and finished at the back with King nipping through for a point which gave the away team a commanding 10-point lead with just three to race.

Doyle made it four wins from four in a shared heat 13 to all but win the meeting and it was mathematically confirmed in heat 14 as Barker beat the Wolves duo in another 3-3. Heat 15 was called back after Masters jumped the start but it was he and Morris who finished with a flourish in the re-run as they recorded a 5-1, and although that result denied Ipswich all four league points, it was the away side who left happy with their night’s work.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

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

“We leave Wolves really happy, and we have started the campaign with two wins out of two. I don’t think many people will win at Wolves this year; I can’t see them losing many at home so to get three points is a massive bonus.

“All seven riders played a big part, like last Thursday there were some errors and machinery problems, certainly Starkey had problems which cost us more points, but we have managed to overcome them and get two wins. Overall, it was a much-deserved win, and we are delighted to have started the season this way.

“Doyley was terrific, he wasn’t making starts and was passing and providing some great racing. Right through the team we performed, down at reserve Starkey was superb and six of our seven riders won races, so we had a team of race winners. Danyon came in at number seven and did really well on a tricky track to ride on.

“We had two of the four League Cup matches with half a team and now we have started the Premiership season brilliantly with two wins. When you look at the team it is a very strong team on paper, it is just about getting everyone firing together with half of the team coming off of a bad season last year. We are improving but it is early doors, and we are not getting carried away. We have got a very very tough test on Monday coming up at home to Sheffield.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

2017 world champion Doyle showed his class leading the way with 13 points which included four race wins before his chances of a maximum were ended in heat 15.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Witches pick up three points on the road to go second in the table as Wolves drop to fourth after their first league defeat of the season.

UP NEXT

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 16th May in a Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: WOLVERHAMPTON – PREMIERSHIP (A)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Premiership fixture with Wolverhampton.

WHEN & WHERE

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Wolverhampton to face the Wolves at the Ladbroke Stadium on Monday 9th May in a Premiership fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

WOLVES: 1. Sam Masters 8.34 © 2. Steve Worrall 5.94 3. Luke Becker 6.95 4. Thomas Jorgensen (g) 6.98 5. Nick Morris 7.12 6. Drew Kemp 3.28 7. Joe Thompson (RS). Team Manager: Peter Adams

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 8.96 2. Erik Riss 5.08 3. Danny King 7.76 © 4. Ben Barker 4.84 5. Troy Batchelor 5.67 6. Paul Starke 4.47 7. Danyon Hume (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: S. Perkin

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue24
Wolverhampton13
Sheffield13
Ipswich13
King’s Lynn10
Peterborough20

TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online here and are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to the West Midlands on Monday night for their first away Premiership fixture of the season against Wolverhampton. Ipswich began their league campaign on Thursday at Foxhall with a win against Belle Vue, their first victory of the year after a tough start in the League Cup. It was a solid team performance against the Aces with all seven riders playing their part and team manager Ritchie Hawkins knows he will need the same again on Monday night from his side if they are to achieve a positive result.

The Witches are without their ‘Rising Star’ Anders Rowe for the fixture who is unwell with number eight Danyon Hume stepping in. Number one Jason Doyle is battling on having been under the weather in recent days with a perforated eardrum but is now feeling much better. Reserve Paul Starke returned to the team against Belle Vue after his recent illness and scored an important paid eight from reserve and his experience could prove to be crucial again on Monday night at the bottom end of the side.

It is a track that Ipswich have struggled at in recent years and they were beaten heavily on both visits last season but the new-look side will be hoping for better fortunes this time around as they aim to build on their positive start to the league campaign.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“Wolves are a very good team around their home track and have plenty of experience there. We have got a lot of riders that like Wolverhampton and have good records around there, but it will be a tough test. Looking at our side, we can go there with confidence.

“It’s a track where experience helps but we are a team, certainly at the top end, that is full of experience and who have ridden at Wolves many times and had good results. We will need to all put it together as a team and we are capable of doing that.

“We said when we lined up like this against Belle Vue that it was going to be for two meetings and the riding order is something we will constantly review but we will see how we are going after Monday.”

THE WOLVES

Wolverhampton have reached the play-offs in the last two seasons only to be beaten at the semi-final stage. 2016 was the last time the club won the top division, and the aim as always is to repeat that feat this season. The league campaign started off well last week with a convincing home win over King’s Lynn, but Wolves have been defeated on home shale already this season by Sheffield in the League Cup.

Wolves’ team building has been built on consistency in recent years with minimal changes made each winter where possible. The bulk of the 2021 side remains with Sam Masters captaining the side backed up by compatriot Nick Morris. Luke Becker and Ryan Douglas are also back for another year at Monmore, however Douglas has been ruled out of the fixture after crashing in Poland on Sunday, with Thomas Jorgensen guesting in his place. Steve Worrall replaced the retired Rory Schlein in the only switch to the main body of the side. There is a familiar face at reserve as Ipswich club asset Drew Kemp made the switch to Wolverhampton last winter and he is joined by their number eight Joe Thompson at the bottom end of the team as he replaces their ‘Rising Star’ Leon Flint, who is unable to take his place in the side due to injury.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £19, concessions £17, juniors (aged 13-18) £8, children (aged 6-12) £1 and children under the age of 5 go free. Official programmes cost £3. For travel information head here.

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

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 47–43 BELLE VUE – PREMIERSHIP (H)

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By Henry Chard

MEETING SPONSORS

Tru Mix – TRU7 is Ipswich’s biggest supplier of concrete. They offer a professional service with up to 8m drum ready mix or volumetric delivery on commercial and domestic loads, supplied from their state-of-the-art batching plant in Kesgrave. Dry and lean mix available to collect.

PGM Carpentry – PGM Carpentry Contractors was founded in 2000 and has since grown to become a leading specialist in carpentry and window installation in London and the East of England. They are actively working on new-build residential developments for the majority of the UK’s largest developers and main contractors in the construction industry. PGM is proud of its family heritage, which has allowed the company to grow on strong foundations.

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 47: Jason Doyle 9, Erik Riss 6+1, Danny King © 9, Ben Barker 3+2, Troy Batchelor 10, Paul Starke 7+1, Anders Rowe (RS) 3. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE 43: Max Fricke 3+1, Jye Etheridge 5+1, Matej Zagar 11+2, Charles Wright 5+2, Brady Kurtz © 11+1, Norick Blödorn 0, Tom Brennan (RS) 8. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: S.H. Kennett

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue24
Wolverhampton13
Sheffield13
Ipswich13
King’s Lynn10
Peterborough20

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches got their Premiership campaign off to a winning start as they defeated the Belle Vue Aces 47-43 on Thursday night at Foxhall.

The hosts were back to full strength for their opening league fixture with new signing Ben Barker in the side and they started brightly to build up an eight-point lead by heat six. The Aces kept things tight throughout and picked up a consolation point for their troubles thanks to a heat 15 maximum, but it was Ipswich who did enough on the night to get their league season up and running with a victory. Troy Batchelor top scored with 10 points.

Jye Etheridge made the gate for the Aces in heat one but was passed by Jason Doyle on the second lap with Erik Riss picking up a point for a 4-2. The lead was doubled in heat two as Paul Starke won the race and Anders Rowe took advantage of a mistake by Norick Blödorn to claim third. Matej Zagar got the visitors’ first win in heat three as the points were shared and there was another 3-3 in heat four as Batchelor was victorious to leave the hosts four points up.

Skipper Danny King picked up a win in heat five ahead of Etheridge with new signing Ben Barker in third for another heat advantage to Ipswich with Grand Prix rider Max Fricke surprisingly at the back for a second time on the night. Doyle picked up his second heat win of the evening in heat six as Brady Kurtz and Riss fought it out for second place with the Aces captain coming out on top, meaning another 4-2 to the home side. Heat seven was stopped as Starke hit the deck and was excluded. Batchelor, who was leading the race at the time of the stoppage, was unfazed and won the re-run. Belle Vue’s ‘Rising Star’ Tom Brennan won heat eight as the points were shared meaning the Witches held an eight-point lead.

Belle Vue’s boss Mark Lemon responded in heat nine putting Zagar in as a tactical substitute and it had the desired effect as he and Kurtz teamed up for a 1-5 to half the deficit. Riss produced a good ride to win a shared heat 10 and Batchelor’s fine night continued with another win in heat 11 but Starke retired with mechanical issues whilst in third leaving things finely poised. However, the Suffolk side had breathing space after heat 12 as King won and his partner Starke saw off Brennan to take second for a 5-1 to give them an eight-point cushion again with just three heats to race.  

It looked like being game over in heat 13 as Doyle and Batchelor made the start but Batchelor was passed by both Aces. Victory was sealed in penultimate race of the night for Ipswich as Charles Wright won the heat for the away side but was followed home by the Witches duo of Starke and Barker. The visitors did salvage a consolation point in the final race of the night as Kurtz and Zagar recorded a maximum, but it was Ipswich who tasted victory for the first time in 2022.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win over Belle Vue.

“It was great to start our league campaign with a win, a much-needed win and we have started the league season well now and it is all good going into Monday now. Everyone has contributed points tonight and contributed to the win and we were pretty solid all meeting getting a lot of 4-2s, so I think it was a good performance.

“Batch was superb, he is improving every meeting for us and long may that continue. Having Starkey back was a big bonus even though he was hampered by machinery problems in one race, but he came back from that well to put in a couple of important performances.

“Ben knows everyone and knows the club really well and he fitted straight back into the side. There is a lot more to come from him, but it was a valuable contribution from him tonight.

“It was an amazing effort by Doyley to do four rides given that he has a perforated eardrum and is really under the weather. To put four rides in and get three wins was an amazing effort, it was a leader’s performance.

“The main thing was to get the win and ideally we would have stopped them getting a point but them having gates one and three in heat 15 made it difficult and the tactical substitute worked well for them earlier in the night.”

TRU MIX & PGM CARPENTRY RIDERS OF THE NIGHT

Starke was the Tru Mix rider of the night with an important contribution of 7+1 from reserve.

Batchelor was PGM Carpentry’s choice after he scored 10 points which included three race wins.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich pick up three points to give them a positive start to the league campaign whilst the Aces pick up a consolation point for their efforts after the narrow defeat.

UP NEXT

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Wolverhampton to face the Wolves on Monday 9th May in a Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: BELLE VUE – PREMIERSHIP (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our Premiership fixture with Belle Vue.

WHEN & WHERE

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 5th May in a Premiership fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

MEETING SPONSORS

Tru Mix – TRU7 is Ipswich’s biggest supplier of concrete. They offer a professional service with up to 8m drum ready mix or volumetric delivery on commercial and domestic loads, supplied from their state-of-the-art batching plant in Kesgrave. Dry and lean mix available to collect.

PGM Carpentry – PGM Carpentry Contractors was founded in 2000 and has since grown to become a leading specialist in carpentry and window installation in London and the East of England. They are actively working on new-build residential developments for the majority of the UK’s largest developers and main contractors in the construction industry. PGM is proud of its family heritage, which has allowed the company to grow on strong foundations.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 8.96 2. Erik Riss 5.08 3. Danny King 7.76 © 4. Ben Barker 4.84 5. Troy Batchelor 5.67 6. Paul Starke 4.47 7. Anders Rowe (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BELLE VUE: 1. Max Fricke 8.81 2. Jye Etheridge 5.22 3. Matej Zagar 7.48 4. Charles Wright 5.92 5. Brady Kurtz 7.27 © 6. Norick Blödorn 4.00 7. Tom Brennan (RS). Team Manager: Mark Lemon

REFEREE: S.H. Kennett

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Belle Vue13
Wolverhampton13
Ipswich00
Sheffield00
King’s Lynn10
Peterborough10

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £20 for adults and £18 for concessions (65+). Children 16 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches get their 2022 Premiership campaign underway with a home fixture against the Belle Vue Aces on Thursday night at Foxhall. It was a disappointing League Cup campaign for the Suffolk side as they exited at the group stage of the competition without a win, but they must put that behind them now and wipe the slate clean ahead of the new league season. With six clubs competing for the top four to make the end of season play-offs, there is little room for error on home shale and Ritchie Hawkins will be hoping his side can get off to a positive start in front of their home fans.

The hosts have been plagued by illness so far in 2022 but with all things being well are hopeful of tracking a full team for the first time since the defeat at home to Peterborough. Both Anders Rowe and Paul Starke are back in the team after their recent illnesses to strengthen the lower end of the team. The management have also decided to make a team change ahead of the Premiership campaign with club asset Cameron Heeps losing his place in the side. The Australian has been a fixture in the Ipswich team in recent years but after a difficult start to 2022 he has been replaced by Ben Barker. Barker is a well-known figure at Foxhall having had previous spells in Suffolk and will be keen to impress in the top-flight having been given the opportunity following an encouraging start to his season. Jason Doyle has been in fine form at Foxhall so far this year and continued his strong start to the season by reaching the semi-finals of the Croatian Grand Prix last weekend.

Both fixtures between the sides at Foxhall were fiercely contested last season with the Aces drawing at Foxhall and picking up a consolation point after a narrow defeat in their other visit to Suffolk.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It’s our first Premiership meeting and the league season starts now. We have done all our practice now and we need to go into it with confidence that we can start our campaign off with a win. We have made a change to the side, and we look forward to welcoming Ben back, someone we all know well at Ipswich, and we know what a good job he can do.

“We welcome back Starkey and Anders, we really missed them last week, so we are delighted to have them back in the side, that strengthens us up.

“Belle Vue have had a tough start to the season as well as us but have brought in Matej Zagar who you would expect will strengthen them up. They now look like they have got a strong top end but when you look at us, we have got a very strong top end and I think that will make for a cracking meeting.”

THE ACES

Belle Vue have almost been regulars in the play-offs in recent seasons but have fallen short of lifting a league title. 2021 was no different having finished third in the regular season before being defeated by Peterborough in the play-off final. Similarly to the Witches, 2022 didn’t start how they had planned with four defeats from four in their League Cup group. However, they come to Foxhall looking a stronger side having also made a team change and the visitors got their Premiership season off to the perfect start with a thumping victory over reigning champions Peterborough on Monday.

Former Grand Prix rider Matej Zagar has been brought in to replace former Witch Jake Allen and scored 10+1 in their win over the Panthers. Zagar was a wildcard at last weekend’s Croatian Grand Prix and reached the semi-finals, showing can still mix it with the best on his day. The Slovenian is part of a strong spearhead at the top end of the team as he joins current Grand Prix rider Max Fricke and captain Brady Kurtz in the heat leader positions. Tom Brennan was part of Great Britain’s Speedway of Nations win in 2021 and he is the Aces’ ‘Rising Star’. Former British champion Charles Wright, Jye Etheridge and 17-year-old German newcomer Norick Blödorn complete their side.

BARKER BACK AT IPSWICH

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By Henry Chard

The Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches have signed Ben Barker to replace Cameron Heeps in their line-up, subject to BSPL approval.

It has been a difficult start to the year at Foxhall with the club losing all four meetings in a disappointing League Cup campaign and with the new Premiership season starting this week against Belle Vue at Foxhall on Thursday, the management have decided to act quickly and make the change.

Club asset Cameron Heeps departs, after struggling to find his best form so far in 2022 and having also endured a difficult 2021 that was hampered by injury.

Barker is no stranger to Foxhall and is back in Suffolk for a third spell having been at the club in 2013 and 2016. The Cornishman has had an encouraging start to the season individually and will make his first appearance for his ‘new’ club on Thursday against the Aces.

Promoter Chris Louis explained why the club have had to make the difficult decision to replace the Australian at such an early stage of the season.

“This happened last year under difficult circumstances with his injury on top of the other two injuries all within a week of each other,” said Louis. “The last thing I wanted to do was to have the same thing this year, but he hasn’t hit the ground running and we are struggling as a team. We haven’t had a victory yet in our four League Cup fixtures. We are not that bad a team by any means, but we are a team that requires a reasonable input from all seven on most occasions.

“We built a team knowing that the nucleus of it in Erik (Riss), Cam and Troy (Batchelor) are coming off of bad seasons, that’s why were able to build this team really. We had no right to expect them to be back to their top form just because they put on a Witches suit, so we knew we would have to give them time. Unfortunately, with the way the way the Premiership works with just six teams, it’s a short season and it has a transfer window, that opens after 25% and closes at 75%, so you are forced into making moves quickly if you need them, so it hasn’t enabled us any time with Cam.”

The former skipper says he can’t quite put his finger on what has gone wrong for Heeps in recent times but would welcome the club asset back into the side in the future.

“It’s not really for me to answer because I don’t know and I’m not going to make excuses for him, but the pandemic period has been tough on him being stuck in the UK and not being able to see his family back home and different things like that. I think that has had an effect on him and his preparations.

“If you were pushing me for an answer, I would say maybe he is just not quite prepared enough and at the beginning of the season that is when it shows. I hope and pray, because he is someone I am close to and have a friendship with, that he can ride himself through it. If the situation presents itself and he is scoring points, I would see no problem at all with putting him back in the team if the situation arose. It’s really tough on him.”

Louis believes Barker will be a popular signing amongst the Foxhall faithful having already represented the club in the past.

“It is no secret that with the doubling-up, other than dipping into the international transfer market, which in fairness we tried, there was one option that the club simply could not afford and when we looked at what was available here, Ben was the obvious choice really. He knows Ipswich, he knows the club, he knows the track because he has been with us a couple of times before.

“You know you are going to get 100%, he doesn’t know any other way and he feels like the right fit. We need to fill that one position; we need consistent points from that position that we weren’t getting, and he is probably the right man to do that. He is popular on the terraces, Ben is a racer, he will only ever give 100%. I know all fans demand 100% effort but particularly our fans need to see 100% effort from all of the riders.”

We thank Cameron for all of his efforts this season and wish him the best for the rest of the campaign.

RACEDAY REPORT: IPSWICH 44–46 KING’S LYNN – LEAGUE CUP (H)

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By David Rowe

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 44: Jason Doyle 13+1, Erik Riss 8+2, Cameron Heeps 2, Troy Batchelor 8, Danny King © 11, Danyon Hume 1, James Shanes (g) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN 46: Niels-Kristian Iversen 8+2, Thomas Jorgensen 6, Richard Lawson 3+2, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Josh Pickering © 4+2, Richie Worrall 11, Jack Thomas (RS) 7+2. Team Manager: Alex Brady

REFEREE: P. Carrington

GROUP B TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
King’s Lynn412
Peterborough48
Ipswich40

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches were beaten 46-44 in a closely fought League Cup local derby with King’s Lynn at Foxhall on Thursday.

The Ipswich top order fired strongly for most of the meeting, securing no fewer than ten race wins, but things turned frustratingly against them in the closing stages as a solid-scoring Stars side took the victory in a last-heat decider.

Group progression had already been resolved in Lynn’s favour, but local pride was still on the line, although Ipswich’s misfortune continued when reserve Anders Rowe was ruled out on the day of the meeting with illness – the third Witches rider to suffer such a fate already this season, with Paul Starke still sitting out under a mandatory suspension.

However, Erik Riss returned from injury and his combination with Doyle produced two 5-1s in Ipswich’s favour – the first in Heat 1 was cancelled out by the visitors’ reserves in the next race, whilst in Heat 6 it was Doyle and Riss who levelled the scores for the Witches after they had conceded a maximum of their own in the previous race.

King and Riss took Heats 7 and 8 as parity was maintained, but Richie Worrall and Josh Pickering took a 5-1 over Troy Batchelor and Cameron Heeps in Heat 9 leaving the Witches with another comeback to make.

They rallied strongly with two 4-2s, including in a re-started Heat 10 when Stars man Richard Lawson came down, and then Danyon Hume collected an excellent third place over Thomas Jorgensen in Heat 11.

But Worrall went past Heeps to win Heat 12 with Lawson third, putting the Stars back ahead, and they were helped in Heat 13 by Doyle breaking the tapes – although the Ipswich No.1 showed his determination by still passing Josh Pickering for third place.

Up front, Niels-Kristian Iversen inflicted a first defeat on King, and whilst Batchelor won Heat 14 the brave efforts of Hume weren’t enough as he missed out to Jack Thomas and Lewis Kerr.

That meant the Witches needed a 5-1 from the last race to win, or a 4-2 to draw, but although Doyle took the victory King was kept at the back by Worrall and Iversen to leave the Stars celebrating an away success.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat to King’s Lynn.

“Obviously it was a very good performance from the top four, but the scores don’t lie and unfortunately the rest of the team contributed very little, and that proved to be the big difference.

“Clearly, we would have much preferred it if we could have had Starkey back tonight, and Anders too had a really good meeting in Poland in the week, so he would have been coming back here with his confidence back up, and that certainly would have made us stronger tonight.

“It’s really tough for boys like James and Danyon coming in when they haven’t been riding in the Premiership this season, for them to get on the pace, but overall, we race as a one-to-seven, and we haven’t been good enough in the League Cup competition.

“We talked before the meeting about how the boys need to make sure after tonight that they’re ready for the league programme, happy with their set-ups and that they show us some fight and desire, and that they’ll go into the league matches a lot more confident.

“I do think they will do that. The league starts next week, and we need to improve again on Thursday to get the results we need.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Jason Doyle again showed what he will bring to the Witches this season as an out-and-out No.1, with his tape-breaking in Heat 13 being his only blip – and even then, he still stormed his way through from the handicap for a point.

WHAT IT MEANS

The Witches end their League Cup campaign with nothing to show for their efforts, whilst the Stars march into the Final with four wins out of four.

UP NEXT

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the Belle Vue Aces at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 5th May in a Premiership fixture. Tickets can be purchased here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN – LEAGUE CUP (H)

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By Henry Chard

All the details ahead of our League Cup fixture with King’s Lynn.

WHEN & WHERE

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 28th April in a League Cup fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 8.96 2. Erik Riss 5.08 3. Cameron Heeps 4.96 4. Troy Batchelor 5.67 5. Danny King 7.76 © 6. Danyon Hume 3.00 7. James Shanes (g) (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

KING’S LYNN: 1. Niels-Kristian Iversen 7.54 2. Thomas Jorgensen 5.89 3. Richard Lawson 7.19 4. Lewis Kerr 5.55 5. Josh Pickering 7.38 © 6. Richie Worrall 5.37 7. Jack Thomas (RS). Team Manager: Alex Brady

JUNIOR CHALLENGE TEAMS

IPSWICH RESERVES: 1. Danyon Hume 2. Josh Warren 3. Jacob Clouting 4. James Laker. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

FEN TIGERS SELECT: 1. Alex Spooner 2. Sam Bebee 3. Sam Hagon 4. Sam Woolley. Team Manager: Jason Gardner

REFEREE: P. Carrington

GROUP B TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
King’s Lynn39
Peterborough48
Ipswich30

TICKETS

Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £20 for adults and £18 for concessions (65+). Children 16 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches end their 2022 League Cup campaign on Thursday with a fixture against King’s Lynn at Foxhall. It’s been a difficult start to the new season for the Witches who have been defeated in all three cup outings so far, meaning they cannot progress from the group stage to the final with one meeting to race. In contrast, Thursday’s opponents have already booked their place in the final and although there is nothing riding on the result, it presents a chance for the home team to get up and running in 2022 and give their fans something to cheer ahead of the first league fixture of the season next week.

It was a depleted Ipswich side that were defeated by the Stars on Monday, but the hosts welcome back two riders to the team on Thursday night. Cameron Heeps returns after illness and Erik Riss is fit enough to resume racing after bruising his coccyx in a crash last week whilst riding for Landshut. However, they are still without reserve Paul Starke who is serving a mandatory week-long break from racing after being ill last week. Club number eight Danyon Hume was given two rides at the Adrian Flux Arena earlier this week by team manager Ritchie Hawkins and will deputise at number six having earnt his opportunity. The Witches will also be without Anders Rowe after he returned from Poland feeling unwell, with James Shanes replacing him at number seven.

The League Cup fixture will be followed by a six-heat junior match between the Ipswich Reserves and a Mildenhall select team.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“It’s very important that we get a win on Thursday. The season hasn’t started great results wise, and it will be nice to have a 1-7 back of Ipswich Witches. We are at the stage already of the season for the fans that we need to get a win on the board and get everyone’s morale back up.

“Cam will be back from his illness; Starkey is over his illness but is still serving his seven-day ban so he will be missing, and we are going to be bringing in Danyon at reserve instead of him. I think Danyon deserves the chance, he did well at King’s Lynn under difficult circumstances being a number eight. He has started the season fairly well for Glasgow and he is knocking on the door and deserves a shot. I know how keen he will be to impress.

“Erik is hopeful he will be back after a few days rest this week and by Thursday we hope he is fully fit and given the start to the season he’s had and having been one of our best riders in the first two meetings, we could really do with him.

“King’s Lynn have had an amazing start to the season and will clearly be on a high after progressing from the group and will be coming to Foxhall full of confidence. It is our job to get on top of them early and show them what we are about. If we are not fully on it, they have a team of riders who like Foxhall and we certainly need to improve on our performance against Peterborough. We don’t want to be losing to King’s Lynn at home, so we need to make sure that does not happen.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn have made a bright start to 2022 and have already picked up more wins than they did in the whole of 2021 after they finished bottom of last season’s Premiership. The Stars have already secured their place in the League Cup final after they beat league champions Peterborough home and away before defeating a depleted Ipswich side at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday evening to seal their spot and they will be keen to continue their winning start to the campaign on Thursday.

Captain Josh Pickering has started the season in fine form and raced to a paid maximum from five rides against the Witches earlier in the week and alongside former Ipswich riders Niels-Kristian Iversen and Richard Lawson they provide plenty of threat at the top end. It’s a side packed with former Witches riders with Lewis Kerr and Richie Worrall also making their returns, with the latter providing plenty of strength from the reserve position. Jack Thomas is their rising star and Thomas Jorgensen completes their side. Both meetings at Foxhall last season went to the wire with the Norfolk outfit taking the hosts to a last-heat decider on both occasions, winning one and losing the other.

RACEDAY REPORT: KING’S LYNN 56-34 IPSWICH – LEAGUE CUP (A)

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Image courtesy of Ian Burt

By David Rowe

THE SCORES

KING’S LYNN 56: Niels-Kristian Iversen 7+1, Thomas Jorgensen 8, Josh Pickering © 14+1 (Paid maximum), Lewis Kerr 8, Richard Lawson 7+2, Richie Worrall 8+2, Jack Thomas (RS) 4+2. Team Manager: Alex Brady

IPSWICH 34: Jason Doyle 11, Erik Riss R/R, Troy Batchelor 10+1, Tero Aarnio (g) 0, Danny King © 7, Kasper Andersen (g) 1+1, Anders Rowe (RS) 4, Danyon Hume (no.8) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: M.Bates

GROUP B TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
King’s Lynn39
Peterborough48
Ipswich30

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches were beaten 56-34 at King’s Lynn on Monday in a League Cup clash which saw them missing three of their regular riders.

Cameron Heeps and Paul Starke were both serving compulsory suspensions after missing meetings last week due to illness, and the Witches’ hopes were further hit when Erik Riss crashed heavily at Landshut on Saturday and sustained bruising of the coccyx.

It was therefore a makeshift side which travelled to Norfolk, especially in the lower order, and it was little surprise that the Witches found the going tough in that department.

Team boss Ritchie Hawkins took the opportunity to give club No.8 Danyon Hume two outings under the rider replacement facility, and the Witches asset picked up a fine third place over home man Thomas Jorgensen in Heat 1.

With early wins for Jason Doyle and Danny King, the Stars were held at bay until Heat 5 when an inspired Josh Pickering got the better of Doyle and Troy Batchelor from the back for the first 5-1 of the night.

King and Batchelor hit back with wins for the Witches, but shared heats were generally the best they could manage, whilst Jorgensen was partnered by Jack Thomas to a 5-1 for Lynn in Heat 8.

Doyle’s tactical substitute ride in Heat 9 saw him upstaged by the flying Pickering in a frantic battle, and although the former World Champion secured his second win of the night in Heat 11, the next three races took the match completely away from the visitors.

King’s Lynn secured 5-1s in both Heats 13 and 14 with Richard Lawson repassing Doyle for second place in the former, and although the final race was shared there was no stopping Pickering, who roared to another win to complete a paid maximum.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

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

“It was always going to be a tough night with only having half a side, and so it proved to be, but the main thing is that the positives came out of our own actual riders.

“King’s Lynn have definitely improved on what they were in the last couple of seasons, they’ve started the season very well and fair play to them for winning the group.

“It was good to bring Danyon in – we’ve got a No.8 who’s knocking on the door of getting into the 1-7, and he’ll be in the side on Thursday instead of Starkey (Paul Starke). He deserves that because he’s started the season fairly well for Glasgow and he had a great ride in Heat 1.

“Erik is hopeful that with a couple of days’ rest he’ll be okay for Thursday, so we’ll have to see how it goes there.

“It’s not been the ideal start to the season with rain-offs and being down to half a team tonight, but I guess we’re fortunate that this is the League Cup and by the time of our first league meeting we’ll be able to field our full 1-7.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Troy Batchelor collected double figures from a six-ride shift, a display which augurs well for the upcoming league matches where his support to the established top two of Jason Doyle and Danny King will be of vital importance.

WHAT IT MEANS

King’s Lynn’s victory means they overhaul Peterborough and are confirmed as Southern group winners. The Stars will face Sheffield or Wolverhampton in the Final. The Witches have one further opportunity to get off the mark in the group on Thursday.

UP NEXT

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches host the King’s Lynn Stars at Foxhall Stadium on Thursday 28th April in a League Cup fixture. Tickets can be purchased here.

RACEDAY PREVIEW: KING’S LYNN – LEAGUE CUP (A)

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By David Rowe

All the details ahead of our League Cup fixture with King’s Lynn.

WHEN & WHERE

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches travel to Norfolk to face the King’s Lynn Stars at the Adrian Flux Arena on Monday 25th April in a League Cup fixture that starts at 7.30pm.

TEAMS

KING’S LYNN: 1. Niels-Kristian Iversen 7.54 2. Thomas Jorgensen 5.89 3. Josh Pickering 7.38 © 4. Lewis Kerr 5.55 5. Richard Lawson 7.19 6. Richie Worrall 5.37 7. Jack Thomas (RS). Team Manager: Alex Brady

IPSWICH: 1. Jason Doyle 8.96 2. R/R for Erik Riss 5.08 3. Troy Batchelor 5.67 4. Tero Aarnio (g) 4.96 5. Danny King 7.76 © 6. Kasper Andersen (g) 4.47 7. Anders Rowe (RS) 8. Danyon Hume. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: M. Bates

GROUP B TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Peterborough48
King’s Lynn26
Ipswich20

TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased online here and are available on the gate.

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches cross the border on Monday night to face East Anglian rivals King’s Lynn in Norfolk in the League Cup. This is a re-arranged fixture after bad weather forced a postponement on April 7.

The Witches have not raced since their home defeat to Peterborough on April 14, and since then results elsewhere have confirmed that they will be unable to progress out of their League Cup group.

However, there is still plenty riding on Monday’s fixture as King’s Lynn’s double victory over Peterborough means if they defeat the Witches, they will be confirmed as group winners – whereas an Ipswich win at the Adrian Flux Arena would leave the Stars hanging on for the return at Foxhall on Thursday, with Peterborough still waiting in the wings.

The Witches will be without Cameron Heeps, who had a brief spell with King’s Lynn during his injury-hit 2021 campaign. The Australian missed his Championship match for Oxford on Wednesday due to illness, meaning a mandatory week-long break from racing. Ipswich will use Tero Aarnio as a guest to cover for Heeps. The visitors will also be without reserve Paul Starke due to illness with former Stars man Kasper Andersen guesting in his place.

There was more bad news on Sunday evening with Erik Riss ruled out of the fixture due to a bruised coccyx after he crashed whilst riding for Landshut at the weekend. The rider replacement facility will be used in the German’s absence. Danyon Hume is at number eight and will be keen to show what he can do should he get any opportunities to race on the night.

The Witches won on both of their Premiership visits to the Adrian Flux Arena in 2021 and the depleted side will be hoping for a similar outcome on Monday.

FROM THE BOSS

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

“For us it’s a dead rubber as such as in progressing through the group, but we have two meetings this week against King’s Lynn and both of them will be big meetings for the boys to show us a bit more than last week at home especially.

“We need to get ready for our league campaign because it’s been a slow start and the boys need to show what they’ve got. We’re into the season now, they’re doing plenty of meetings, so the start of the season is over, and we need to start performing.

“We don’t want to be losing to King’s Lynn, that’s the first job, we must beat King’s Lynn whatever. In many ways the fact that we can’t get through the group is immaterial, because we’re racing against King’s Lynn and that’s our big rivalry – so we need to make sure we perform.

“It’s a shame for Cam to be missing. His partner has got Covid, and they live together, and although he’s been testing negative, he’s still been really rough. It’s a bit like he thinks it’s Covid, but it isn’t Covid, it’s just a general illness.

“It’s come at the wrong time for him because he’s going to miss three meetings for Oxford, he misses this meeting for us, and he really needs to be on the bike. He’s had a bad run really for the last year.”

THE STARS

King’s Lynn were always likely to make wholesale changes after finishing bottom of the Premiership with just two wins in 2021, and they have already made a most encouraging start to the new campaign with home and away wins over Peterborough.

The Stars made some ambitious moves over the winter, including handing Peter Kildemand a return to UK racing, only for the Dane to pick up an injury in Poland. However, they have signed a popular replacement as stand-in, with Stars favourite Niels-Kristian Iversen – who had a spell with the Witches in 2019 – coming in to cover for Kildemand.

Exciting Australian Josh Pickering has been installed as the new skipper after surprisingly leaving Sheffield over the winter, and he has piled up big points in both of the Stars’ opening fixtures, with Pickering and Iversen both completing the job in last-heat deciders against Peterborough. The Stars have also made what appears to be a very astute signing in Richie Worrall, who could be one of the league’s most powerful reserves.

Richard Lawson, Thomas Jorgensen and Lewis Kerr all return from 2021, whilst the Rising Star berth is filled by Jack Thomas.

AWAY DAYS

An adult ticket costs £20, concessions (over 65) and students £18 and children (ages 12-17) £5. Official programmes cost £3. Facilities include free floodlit parking, seated grandstand, covered standing grandstand, restaurant, fully stocked bar and function room, four licenced bar outlets, merchandise stands, toilets and a first aid room. For travel information head here.

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

NIGEL PEARSON 1970-2022

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Following the passing of sports broadcaster and journalist Nigel Pearson, promoter Chris Louis paid tribute to the speedway commentator.

“I have no words to truly describe my sense of loss following the passing of an extraordinary man, colleague and above all else friend, Nigel Pearson.

“My deepest sympathy and thoughts go out to Kerrie, Sarah, Liam and Jake.

“Nigel and I made our speedway commentary debuts together at King’s Lynn when circumstance brought us together over twenty years ago and we have remained friends ever since.  His commentary could often bring a raised intensity to things happening out on track, but he had a wonderful way of putting a nervous co-commentator at ease, as I was that day. I never looked back, and I will forever be truly thankful for that and his continued help, support and friendship. The world has lost a true gent and one that just happened to have a true passion for our sport, we were so lucky.

“No matter what happened, it could normally be fixed over a pint of Guinness and a chat, that’s how I’ll remember you mate.

“RIP Nige.”