By Henry Chard
MEETING SPONSORS
Tru7 Group – Tru7 Group is a diversified supplier to the construction, demolition and agriculture industries. Their premium fleet has state-of-the-art safety technology, and they make sure you have the right vehicle or operator for the job, saving time, fuel and emissions. With service and sustainability core to their business, their fast-growing portfolio offers van, truck and plant rental and sales, demolition and remediation, earthworks, asbestos removal, concrete and aggregates.
Scott Properties – Scott Properties is a self-funded Land Promoter operating throughout the East of England, East Midlands and the South East. Working closely with Landowners and Local Authorities, they manage the land promotion and planning process from initial site identification through to the sale of consented development sites.
THE SCORES
IPSWICH 50: Chris Harris (G) 7, Dan Thompson (RS) 3, Scott Nicholls (G) 9+1 Adam Ellis 8+3, Emil Sayfutdinov © 9, Keynan Rew 10, Jordan Jenkins 4+2. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
SHEFFIELD 40: Jack Holder 11, Kyle Howarth © 6+1, Chris Holder 5, Josh Pickering 3, Tai Woffinden 10+1, Jason Edwards 1, Dan Gilkes (RS) 4. Team Manager: Simon Stead
REFEREE: C. Gay
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Ipswich | 11 | 21 |
| Sheffield | 10 | 17 |
| Belle Vue | 11 | 17 |
| Oxford | 11 | 13 |
| Leicester | 10 | 12 |
| Birmingham | 11 | 6 |
| King’s Lynn* | 8 | 1 |
THE STORY
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches extended their lead at the top of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership with a win against Sheffield on Monday night at Foxhall.
The hosts had Chris Harris and Scott Nicholls guesting for the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Danny King whilst the visitors were at full strength for this top of the table clash. Ipswich were in pole position to take the aggregate bonus point having won 46-44 at Owlerton but after a maximum to the Tigers in heat one it looked like it was going to be a tough night. However, the table-topping Witches dusted themselves down and levelled immediately before consistently adding heat advantages throughout the night and sealing the deal with a race to spare. Keynan Rew top scored with 10.
Sheffield hit a maximum in heat one, but the Witches responded in heat two with a 5-1 of their own thanks to Rew and Jordan Jenkins. The home team edged in front in heat three as Adam Ellis took victory and Nicholls was in third for the 4-2. Heat four was stopped as Tai Woffinden hit the fence coming out of turn four and was excluded. Tigers Rising Star Dan Gilkes pulled off a shock result in the re-run holding off Emil Sayfutdinov to win and ensure a 3-3 that made the score 13-11 to the home team.
Nicholls and Ellis teamed up for a 5-1 in heat five to go six in front. Woffinden just about beat Harris to the line in heat six as the Tigers bagged a heat advantage, but it was cancelled out in heat seven as Sayfutdinov won with Rew in third for Ipswich. Rew was back out in heat eight and duly picked up three points in another 4-2 to the Witches that put them 28-20 in front.
Woffinden was a winner again in a shared heat nine and in heat 10, having failed to score in his two previous rides, Dan Thompson turned his night around by picking up three points in a Witches 4-2. In heat 11 it was Sheffield’s turn to record a 2-4 as Jack Holder won and Sayfutdinov had to work hard to get the better of Kyle Howarth for second. Woffinden came in as a tactical substitute in heat 12 and he provided the race win for the away team as they narrowed the gap with another heat advantage, making it 39-33 to the home team.
Harris got his first race win of the night in a shared heat 13 and it was all over as a contest after heat 14 as Rew and Ellis raced to a maximum. The night ended with a 3-3 as the Witches maintained their 100% home record in 2024.
REACTION FROM THE BOSS
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Monday’s win against Sheffield.
“It was a brilliant night, and I am delighted with the result. Massive credit to the track staff again, the track was under water this morning and we have had showers throughout the day, but they managed to get the meeting on with no bother on the track at all. The team were solid throughout and every one of them contributed with a paid win.
“The results are brilliant, and everything is going great on the track. You would think there will come a point where it might catch up with us with all the injury problems we have had, but we have got people coming back in and it feels a bit like we are through the worst of it. With the results and performances and how everyone has done you wouldn’t know all the issues we have had with rider availability, and I am delighted with the boys. The atmosphere and team spirit are amazing and that is what is helping us get through what should be a really tough period.
“We are all covering each other. Jordan is improving week after week and contributing valuable points. Dan has clearly got some aftereffects from his virus which I’m sure everyone can relate to, he was tired but that race in heat 10, to come out after a couple of tough rides and win shows so much about his character.
“Keynan has stepped it up a level or two in recent weeks and Adam was superb tonight. That leaves you with Emil and two good guests tonight, so when you go out on track knowing all seven riders are capable of winning races, it is a massive bonus to me.”
TRU7 GROUP & SCOTT PROPERTIES RIDERS OF THE NIGHT
Tru7 Group chose Ellis who scored 8+3, dropping just a point to an opposition rider.
Scott Properties went for Rew who top scored with 10 which included three race wins.
WHAT IT MEANS
Ipswich pick up all three points on offer and go four points clear of second-placed Sheffield in the table.
UP NEXT
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Oxford to take on the Spires on Thursday 13th June in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway