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. 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
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Ipswich | 9 | 17 |
| Sheffield | 9 | 17 |
| Belle Vue | 10 | 17 |
| Leicester | 10 | 14 |
| King’s Lynn | 9 | 6 |
| Oxford | 11 | 6 |
| Birmingham | 10 | 4 |
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 at full strength for the fixture led by Jack Holder who is currently third in the Grand Prix standings.
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.
Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway