By Henry Chard
All the details ahead of our Premiership fixture with Peterborough.
WHEN & WHERE
The ‘Tru Plant’ Witches travel to Peterborough to face the Panthers at the East of England Arena & Events Centre on Monday 21st June in a Premiership fixture that starts at 7.30pm.
TEAMS
PETERBOROUGH: 1. Bjarne Pedersen 6.91 2. Hans Andersen 5.79 3. Michael Palm Toft 6.30 4. Scott Nicholls 5.36 © 5. Chris Harris 6.01 6. Jordan Palin (RS) 7. Ulrich Ostergaard 4.00. Team Manager: Rob Lyon
IPSWICH: 1. Adam Ellis (g) 8.00 2. Paul Starke 4.27 3. Danny King 6.85 © 4. Jake Allen 5.70 5. Craig Cook 7.59 6. Anders Rowe 3.00 7. Drew Kemp (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
REFEREE: C. Durno
PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Belle Vue | 5 | 13 |
| Peterborough | 5 | 12 |
| Wolverhampton | 5 | 10 |
| Ipswich | 7 | 7 |
| Sheffield | 4 | 4 |
| King’s Lynn | 4 | 3 |
TICKETS
Tickets can be purchased online here. Details on covid regulations at the stadium can be found here.
THE STORY
The Witches return to action on Monday as they face fellow East Anglian side Peterborough at the East of England Arena & Events Centre. The Suffolk side have had 10 days without a fixture since they were defeated by the Panthers at Foxhall. It’s been a tough run for Ipswich having lost their last four outings, but they will hope to repeat the results of 2019 at Peterborough where the Witches took two four-point victories.
The away side are still without number one Jason Crump after he broke eight ribs following a big crash in the defeat to Wolves. The Australian has been back on a bike this week but is not quite ready for a return to competitive action, it is hoped he will be fit to take his place in the side for the visit of Wolves on 28th June. Sheffield’s Adam Ellis will guest in his place at number one at Peterborough. Recent new signings Craig Cook and Paul Starke and captain Danny King are returning to a place they know reasonably well having all represented the Panthers in their careers and they will be hoping that their track knowledge can help the team get back to winning ways as they look to get the season back on track.
HAWKINS PREVIEW
Ipswich ‘Tru Plant’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins gives his pre-match thoughts…
“We have had 10 days off which came at a great time for us. We need to come back from the break refreshed and hopefully we will be back to a full team soon and ready to go again. Crumpy has had a few practices and made a late call on his fitness on Saturday. When we can have Jason back and be back to our 1-7, I will be delighted. For now, we are allowed a guest this week and we are very happy to have Adam lined up for that. He was superb when he rode at Ipswich for Sheffield and he has come a long way since his days riding at reserve for the Witches when he first started.
“Peterborough have made a decent start to the season and obviously won at our place and drew at Belle Vue. However, they have lost at home this year, I think the season will be a little bit like that, people taking points off everyone. It is a place we go very well at and we need to be looking to go there and win.”
THE OPPOSITION
Peterborough have proved many people wrong so far this season having started the campaign strongly as they sit second in the table. Following their opening day double-header against Belle Vue where they drew at the National Speedway Stadium before being beaten on home shale, they have reeled off three victories, including that win at Foxhall to rise up the table.
Ulrich Ostergaard is proving to be a trump card at reserve this season and has been clocking up some big scores whilst former Witch Scott Nicholls has already recorded a paid maximum at home this season and the hosts will be looking to continue their fine start to the season on Monday night.
AWAY DAYS
An adult ticket costs £20, concessions £18, children (under 16) £8 and children under the age of 5 go free. Official programmes cost £3 with car parking priced at £1. Facilities include a 2200 capacity grandstand, grass banking on the back straight, fast food outlets on the grandstand side of the track and a licensed bar. For travel information head here.
For more information about the club head to Peterborough’s official website.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway