Ipswich Witches Speedway
  • Home
  • News
  • Tickets
  • Fixtures/Results
    • League Tables
    • Archive Results
  • Team
    • Rider Results
  • Admission
  • Media
  • Club
    • Info
    • Honours
    • Club Officials
    • Related Links
  • Contact
    • Raceday Shout-outs
  • Sponsors
    • Become A Sponsor
Ipswich Witches Speedway
  • Ipswich Witches Speedway
  • Home
  • News
  • Tickets
  • Fixtures/Results
  • League Tables
  • Archive Results
  • Team
  • Rider Results
  • Media
  • Club
  • Info
  • Honours
  • Club Officials
  • Related Links
  • Admission
  • Contact
  • Raceday Shout-outs
  • Sponsors
  • Become A Sponsor

RACEDAY REPORT: BELLE VUE 55-35 IPSWICH (107-73 ON AGGREGATE) – PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2ND LEG (A)

Posted on

3 October, 2022
Picture courtesy of Ian Charles

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

BELLE VUE 55: Brady Kurtz © 8, Tom Brennan (RS) 4, Matej Zagar 12+2, Charles Wright 7, Robert Lambert 15 (Maximum), Norick Blödorn 5, Jye Etheridge 4+1. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

IPSWICH 35: Jason Doyle 9+1, Aaron Summers 5, Danny King © 5+1, Rohan Tungate 5+1, Troy Batchelor 5+1, Paul Starke 5, Anders Rowe (RS) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Dishington

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield1943
Ipswich1943
Belle Vue1938
Wolverhampton2034
King’s Lynn1924
Peterborough2013

PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

SEMI-FINALS

1st Leg: Wolverhampton 43-47 Sheffield, Sheffield vs Wolverhampton (2nd Leg – Oct 6)

1st Leg: Ipswich 38-52 Belle Vue, 2nd Leg: Belle Vue 55-35 Ipswich

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Premiership title hopes ended on Monday night at the National Speedway Stadium as they were defeated by Belle Vue in the play-off semi-final.

The Aces brought a 14-point lead into the second leg after winning at Foxhall last week and also announced the signing of world number five Robert Lambert on the day of the fixture to replace the injured Max Fricke. Whilst Ipswich battled hard all night, they couldn’t produce the dramatic turnaround needed and fell to a 20-point defeat in Manchester as Belle Vue booked their place in the play-off final. Jason Doyle top scored with 9+1.

Aces captain Brady Kurtz won heat one ahead of Aaron Summers as Doyle kept Tom Brennan at the back for a 3-3. Norick Blödorn took the honours in heat two with Paul Starke second as Jye Etheridge rounded Anders Rowe late on in the race for a point to give the hosts a 4-2. Matej Zagar was a clear winner in heat three as Rohan Tungate finished second and Charles Wright got the better of Danny King for third that gave the Aces another heat advantage. Lambert combined with Etheridge for a comfortable 5-1 in heat four to put Belle Vue eight points ahead on the night and 22 points on aggregate.

Doyle got Ipswich’s first race win of the night in heat five after he produced a fine move to cut back on the inside of Zagar on turn two of the opening lap and with Summers third it was a 2-4 to the Witches. Troy Batchelor couldn’t be caught in heat six and it was another heat advantage for the away side with Starke third. Lambert was a clear winner in heat seven but King and Tungate both rode well to relegate Blödorn to the back and ensure a share of the points. Tom Brennan won heat eight ahead of Summers with Etheridge third for a 4-2 that gave the home team a six-point lead in the meeting and put them 20 points up overall.

The Aces extended their lead with a 5-1 in heat nine before an action-packed heat 10. Brennan was the early leader in the race with King pushing hard in second, but Kurtz went from third to first in one corner as King went past Brennan in the same move and it ended with a 4-2 to the hosts which confirmed their progress to the final. Lambert was a clear winner ahead of Doyle in heat 11 and Blödorn made a late pass on Summers to hand the Aces another heat advantage. Zagar won heat 12 comfortably in a shared heat which maintained his side’s 14-point lead in the meeting.

Doyle made the start in heat 13 but couldn’t keep Lambert behind him as the race ended in a 3-3. Wright won heat 14 as Tungate went up the inside of Blödorn at the start of the second lap to split the home pairing and limit them to a 4-2. Lambert completed a 15-point maximum with victory in heat 15 as Zagar and Doyle exchanged moves throughout for second, but it was the home rider who won the battle to secure a 5-1 in the final race of the night as Belle Vue completed a convincing victory over two legs.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat to Belle Vue.

“Belle Vue are very good around here and Thursday cost us massively. Over the two legs they were the far superior side. We knew it was a massive task, but we are not quick enough when we come here, I think that has been quite apparent in our last two visits here.

“Right from one to seven we are not quick enough, whether that is that we haven’t got our heads around the setup, or the equipment is not on pace for a big fast track like this, that is something that all the boys will be working on this winter. We have not been quick enough when we have come here and that was apparent again tonight.

“We spent a lot of the season top of the league, and we have had some great results and moments throughout the season. So, to bow out with such a heavy defeat in the semi-final of the play-offs is a big disappointment and not how we wanted to go. Belle Vue have clicked in at the right time and we have probably gone the opposite way.

“We have had great support home and away this year and we thank everyone for that. Everyone at the club has worked so hard and I think everyone had high hopes during the season with our performances. Overall, we have provided a lot more ups than downs, but we have ended on a low, but I hope this team isn’t just remembered for the last two meetings because during the league campaign they have been very good.

“We have got a league meeting to complete still when Sheffield can get that re-arranged and then the Pairs meetings. We are in a great position in the Pairs and if we can bounce back from this and finish the season off with winning the Pairs then that would be some consolation for the play-off defeat.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Number one Doyle once again offered up the most resistance, top scoring with 9+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Belle Vue progress to the Premiership play-off final and will face either Wolverhampton or Sheffield for the title. The league season ends for Ipswich who now turn their attentions to the Premiership Pairs competition.

UP NEXT

A ‘Tru Mix’ Witches pairing heads to Sheffield for the fifth round of the Premiership Pairs on Monday 24th October.

Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

Recent Post

  • SUPPORTERS COACH FOR PLAY-OFF FINAL
  • ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL DATES CONFIRMED
  • RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH (101) 59–31 (79) BELLE VUE
  • RACEDAY GUIDE | BELLE VUE (H)
  • RACEDAY REPORT | BELLE VUE 48–42 IPSWICH

Search Categories

  • 2016 & 2017 Previews
  • 2016 & 2017 Reports
  • 2016 News
  • 2017 News
  • 2018 News
  • 2018 Previews
  • 2018 Reports
  • 2019 News
  • 2019 Previews
  • 2019 Reports
  • 2020 British Final
  • 2020 News
  • 2021 News
  • 2021 Previews
  • 2021 Reports
  • 2022 News
  • 2022 Previews
  • 2022 Reports
  • 2023 News
  • 2023 Previews
  • 2023 Reports
  • 2024 News
  • 2024 Previews
  • 2024 Reports
  • 2025 News
  • 2025 Previews
  • 2025 Reports
  • Aaron Summers
  • Adam Ellis
  • Anders Rowe
  • Ben Barker
  • Cameron Heeps
  • Chris Harris
  • Chris Louis
  • Competitions
  • Connor Mountain
  • Coty Garcia
  • Craig Cook
  • Dan Thompson
  • Danny Ayres
  • Danny King
  • Danyon Hume
  • David Bellego
  • David Wallinger
  • Drew Kemp
  • Edward Kennett
  • Emil Sayfutdinov
  • Erik Riss
  • Ipswich Town Football Club
  • Jack Thomas
  • Jake Allen
  • James Sarjeant
  • Jason Crump
  • Jason Doyle
  • Jason Edwards
  • Joe Jacobs
  • Joe Thompson
  • Jonas Jeppesen
  • Jordan Jenkins
  • Jordan Stewart
  • Justin Sedgmen
  • Keynan Rew
  • Krystian Pieszczek
  • Kyle Newman
  • Mark Riss
  • Michael Härtel
  • Morten Risager
  • Nathan Greaves
  • Nico Covatti
  • Nicolai Klindt
  • Niels-Kristian Iversen
  • Oliver Greenwood
  • Paul Starke
  • ReRun Productions
  • Richard Lawson
  • Ritchie Hawkins
  • Rohan Tungate
  • Rory Schlein
  • Supporters Club
  • Tai Woffinden
  • Tom Brennan
  • Track Shop
  • Troy Batchelor
  • Tru Mix
  • Tru Plant
  • Tru7 Group

Find Previous Articles

RACEDAY REPORT: BELLE VUE 55-35 IPSWICH (107-73 ON AGGREGATE) – PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL 2ND LEG (A)

Posted on

3 October, 2022
Picture courtesy of Ian Charles

By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

BELLE VUE 55: Brady Kurtz © 8, Tom Brennan (RS) 4, Matej Zagar 12+2, Charles Wright 7, Robert Lambert 15 (Maximum), Norick Blödorn 5, Jye Etheridge 4+1. Team Manager: Mark Lemon

IPSWICH 35: Jason Doyle 9+1, Aaron Summers 5, Danny King © 5+1, Rohan Tungate 5+1, Troy Batchelor 5+1, Paul Starke 5, Anders Rowe (RS) 1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

REFEREE: W. Dishington

PREMIERSHIP TABLE

TeamMeetingsPoints
Sheffield1943
Ipswich1943
Belle Vue1938
Wolverhampton2034
King’s Lynn1924
Peterborough2013

PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

SEMI-FINALS

1st Leg: Wolverhampton 43-47 Sheffield, Sheffield vs Wolverhampton (2nd Leg – Oct 6)

1st Leg: Ipswich 38-52 Belle Vue, 2nd Leg: Belle Vue 55-35 Ipswich

THE STORY

The ‘Tru Mix’ Witches’ Premiership title hopes ended on Monday night at the National Speedway Stadium as they were defeated by Belle Vue in the play-off semi-final.

The Aces brought a 14-point lead into the second leg after winning at Foxhall last week and also announced the signing of world number five Robert Lambert on the day of the fixture to replace the injured Max Fricke. Whilst Ipswich battled hard all night, they couldn’t produce the dramatic turnaround needed and fell to a 20-point defeat in Manchester as Belle Vue booked their place in the play-off final. Jason Doyle top scored with 9+1.

Aces captain Brady Kurtz won heat one ahead of Aaron Summers as Doyle kept Tom Brennan at the back for a 3-3. Norick Blödorn took the honours in heat two with Paul Starke second as Jye Etheridge rounded Anders Rowe late on in the race for a point to give the hosts a 4-2. Matej Zagar was a clear winner in heat three as Rohan Tungate finished second and Charles Wright got the better of Danny King for third that gave the Aces another heat advantage. Lambert combined with Etheridge for a comfortable 5-1 in heat four to put Belle Vue eight points ahead on the night and 22 points on aggregate.

Doyle got Ipswich’s first race win of the night in heat five after he produced a fine move to cut back on the inside of Zagar on turn two of the opening lap and with Summers third it was a 2-4 to the Witches. Troy Batchelor couldn’t be caught in heat six and it was another heat advantage for the away side with Starke third. Lambert was a clear winner in heat seven but King and Tungate both rode well to relegate Blödorn to the back and ensure a share of the points. Tom Brennan won heat eight ahead of Summers with Etheridge third for a 4-2 that gave the home team a six-point lead in the meeting and put them 20 points up overall.

The Aces extended their lead with a 5-1 in heat nine before an action-packed heat 10. Brennan was the early leader in the race with King pushing hard in second, but Kurtz went from third to first in one corner as King went past Brennan in the same move and it ended with a 4-2 to the hosts which confirmed their progress to the final. Lambert was a clear winner ahead of Doyle in heat 11 and Blödorn made a late pass on Summers to hand the Aces another heat advantage. Zagar won heat 12 comfortably in a shared heat which maintained his side’s 14-point lead in the meeting.

Doyle made the start in heat 13 but couldn’t keep Lambert behind him as the race ended in a 3-3. Wright won heat 14 as Tungate went up the inside of Blödorn at the start of the second lap to split the home pairing and limit them to a 4-2. Lambert completed a 15-point maximum with victory in heat 15 as Zagar and Doyle exchanged moves throughout for second, but it was the home rider who won the battle to secure a 5-1 in the final race of the night as Belle Vue completed a convincing victory over two legs.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru Mix’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s defeat to Belle Vue.

“Belle Vue are very good around here and Thursday cost us massively. Over the two legs they were the far superior side. We knew it was a massive task, but we are not quick enough when we come here, I think that has been quite apparent in our last two visits here.

“Right from one to seven we are not quick enough, whether that is that we haven’t got our heads around the setup, or the equipment is not on pace for a big fast track like this, that is something that all the boys will be working on this winter. We have not been quick enough when we have come here and that was apparent again tonight.

“We spent a lot of the season top of the league, and we have had some great results and moments throughout the season. So, to bow out with such a heavy defeat in the semi-final of the play-offs is a big disappointment and not how we wanted to go. Belle Vue have clicked in at the right time and we have probably gone the opposite way.

“We have had great support home and away this year and we thank everyone for that. Everyone at the club has worked so hard and I think everyone had high hopes during the season with our performances. Overall, we have provided a lot more ups than downs, but we have ended on a low, but I hope this team isn’t just remembered for the last two meetings because during the league campaign they have been very good.

“We have got a league meeting to complete still when Sheffield can get that re-arranged and then the Pairs meetings. We are in a great position in the Pairs and if we can bounce back from this and finish the season off with winning the Pairs then that would be some consolation for the play-off defeat.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

Number one Doyle once again offered up the most resistance, top scoring with 9+1.

WHAT IT MEANS

Belle Vue progress to the Premiership play-off final and will face either Wolverhampton or Sheffield for the title. The league season ends for Ipswich who now turn their attentions to the Premiership Pairs competition.

UP NEXT

A ‘Tru Mix’ Witches pairing heads to Sheffield for the fifth round of the Premiership Pairs on Monday 24th October.

Henry Chard

Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway

Recent Post

  • SUPPORTERS COACH FOR PLAY-OFF FINAL
  • ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL DATES CONFIRMED
  • RACEDAY REPORT | IPSWICH (101) 59–31 (79) BELLE VUE
  • RACEDAY GUIDE | BELLE VUE (H)
  • RACEDAY REPORT | BELLE VUE 48–42 IPSWICH

Search Categories

  • 2016 & 2017 Previews
  • 2016 & 2017 Reports
  • 2016 News
  • 2017 News
  • 2018 News
  • 2018 Previews
  • 2018 Reports
  • 2019 News
  • 2019 Previews
  • 2019 Reports
  • 2020 British Final
  • 2020 News
  • 2021 News
  • 2021 Previews
  • 2021 Reports
  • 2022 News
  • 2022 Previews
  • 2022 Reports
  • 2023 News
  • 2023 Previews
  • 2023 Reports
  • 2024 News
  • 2024 Previews
  • 2024 Reports
  • 2025 News
  • 2025 Previews
  • 2025 Reports
  • Aaron Summers
  • Adam Ellis
  • Anders Rowe
  • Ben Barker
  • Cameron Heeps
  • Chris Harris
  • Chris Louis
  • Competitions
  • Connor Mountain
  • Coty Garcia
  • Craig Cook
  • Dan Thompson
  • Danny Ayres
  • Danny King
  • Danyon Hume
  • David Bellego
  • David Wallinger
  • Drew Kemp
  • Edward Kennett
  • Emil Sayfutdinov
  • Erik Riss
  • Ipswich Town Football Club
  • Jack Thomas
  • Jake Allen
  • James Sarjeant
  • Jason Crump
  • Jason Doyle
  • Jason Edwards
  • Joe Jacobs
  • Joe Thompson
  • Jonas Jeppesen
  • Jordan Jenkins
  • Jordan Stewart
  • Justin Sedgmen
  • Keynan Rew
  • Krystian Pieszczek
  • Kyle Newman
  • Mark Riss
  • Michael Härtel
  • Morten Risager
  • Nathan Greaves
  • Nico Covatti
  • Nicolai Klindt
  • Niels-Kristian Iversen
  • Oliver Greenwood
  • Paul Starke
  • ReRun Productions
  • Richard Lawson
  • Ritchie Hawkins
  • Rohan Tungate
  • Rory Schlein
  • Supporters Club
  • Tai Woffinden
  • Tom Brennan
  • Track Shop
  • Troy Batchelor
  • Tru Mix
  • Tru Plant
  • Tru7 Group

Find Previous Articles

Find Us

Address
Ipswich Speedway
Foxhall Stadium
Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 5TL

Contact
Email: enquiries@ipswichwitches.co
Phone: 07859 802828

Pages

  • Home
  • News
  • Tickets
  • Fixtures/Results
  • Team
  • Admission
  • Media
  • Club
  • Contact
  • Raceday Shout-outs
  • Sponsors

Other Pages

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • X
  • YouTube

Find Us

Address
Ipswich Speedway
Foxhall Stadium
Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 5TL

Contact
Email: enquiries@ipswichwitches.co
Phone: 07859 802828

Pages

  • Home
  • News
  • Tickets
  • Fixtures/Results
  • Team
  • Admission
  • Media
  • Club
  • Contact
  • Raceday Shout-outs
  • Sponsors

Other Pages

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • X
  • YouTube

Find Us

Address
Ipswich Speedway
Foxhall Stadium
Foxhall Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP4 5TL

Contact
Email: enquiries@ipswichwitches.co
Phone: 07859 802828

Pages

  • Home
  • News
  • Tickets
  • Fixtures/Results
  • Team
  • Admission
  • Media
  • Club
  • Contact
  • Raceday Shout-outs
  • Sponsors

Other Pages

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok
  • X
  • YouTube

Copyright ® 2025

Ipswich Witches Speedway

powered by Painting Pixels Ltd.

Ipswich Witches Speedway
Manage Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behaviour or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
View preferences
{title} {title} {title}