Ipswich icon Scott Nicholls is ready to defy the Tru7 Group Witches’ underdog tag as he makes his comeback from a broken collarbone against Rowe Motor Oil Premiership leaders Belle Vue at Foxhall on Thursday.
Nicholls has been sidelined since he crashed out of Witches’ home meeting with Northampton on August 6.
But after undergoing scans, organised by Great Britain team physio Steve Williams, and testing his fitness on a mountain bike, the 48-year-old has been given the green light to resume racing.
While Nicholls was keen not to push his comeback too fast, he also wanted to get back on track with Witches needing victory at home to the Aces to guarantee their place in the play-offs.
He said: “I felt the collarbone was going in the right direction. It didn’t feel like the break was overly painful, but it felt like the collarbone was still moving. I was then apprehensive that it was still broken, and I didn’t know what I needed to do. I couldn’t risk riding if it is broken because if I properly break it again just by riding, that’s the season done.
“I got a scan booked in. Steve organised it and that was last Wednesday. I got the results through, and it seemed to be okay. It was intact. It’s bizarre because it still clicks and clunks a lot, and I can still move it around.
“I decided I would go for a mountain bike ride and give it a bit of a push by going off some jumps and drops. I banged it around a bit to see how it held up, and it was okay.
“I am just keen to get back. We know we have to get a result against Belle Vue. It’s all about making the play-offs and trying to get into a decent position.
“We know it’s a must-win at home on Thursday, so let’s go out and do the best we can. We know we are facing the chart toppers, so it’s not going to be easy. But if it’s easy, it’s not worth having.
“It would be great to come back, hit the ground running really and get a decent result. There aren’t many meetings left, so it would be nice to have a good push at the end of the season and get some silverware in the cabinet.”
Nicholls accepts the 2025 Premiership champions would go into this year’s play-offs as underdogs, with Belle Vue tipped as title favourites.
But Nicholls is determined to end what could be his final season in the sport in style. He said: “Ultimately the league comes down to the play-offs, so if you get there and everyone clicks, it’s there for the taking.
“Look at what Peterborough did against Belle Vue in the 2021 Grand Final. No-one ever thought it would happen, but it all clicked into place over those two meetings, and we got the title.
“You want to see some reward for your efforts and if we won the league, it would be amazing. I think it’s fair to say we are the underdogs, and that’s not being defeatist or negative; that’s just being realistic.
“That doesn’t mean we won’t go into it doing our best to win. There is no point turning up if you don’t.”
Nicholls also relishes the challenge of taking on Belle Vue’s top guns, world No.2 Brady Kurtz and former Witches favourite Jason Doyle, this Thursday.
He said: “There is no better opposition to beat. For me, if I am able to beat riders of that calibre, it would certainly be a nice feeling and a little ego boost for the old boy. That would be nice.”
Advance tickets for Witches’ huge home clash with leaders Belle Vue are available online HERE now. Cash will also be accepted at turnstiles on race day with card payments available at the entrance to the right.
For those fans unable to make it to Foxhall, they can also enjoy the Aces showdown live on WitchesTV HERE.
STARTING LINE-UPS
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES: 1. Richard Lawson, 2. Scott Nicholls, 3. Danny King (captain), 4. Tom Brennan, 5. Tobiasz Musielak, 6. Kevin Juhl Pedersen, 7. Jason Edwards.
BELLE VUE ACES: 1. Brady Kurtz, 2. Norick Blodorn, 3. Peter Kildemand, 4. Zach Cook, 5. Jason Doyle, 6. Tate Zischke, 7. Sam Hagon (guest).