By Henry Chard

THE SCORES

IPSWICH 51: Chris Harris (G) 11+1, Dan Thompson (RS) R/R, Sam Masters (G) 9+1, Adam Ellis 6+2, Emil Sayfutdinov © 6+1, Keynan Rew 14+1, Jordan Jenkins 5+1, Freddy Hodder DNR. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

BIRMINGHAM 39: Fredrik Lindgren 12, Steve Worrall R/R, Wiktor Lampart 8+1, Justin Sedgmen 4, Tom Brennan © 10, Piotr Pawlicki 3, Leon Flint (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko

REFEREE: G. Allen

KNOCKOUT CUP DRAW

QUARTER-FINALS

First Leg: Belle Vue 49-41 Sheffield. Second Leg: Sheffield 49–41 Belle Vue – Sheffield win super heat

First Leg: Leicester 42-48 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 47–43 Leicester

SEMI-FINALS

First Leg: Birmingham 44-46 Ipswich. Second Leg: Ipswich 51-39 Birmingham

First Leg: King’s Lynn 50-40 Sheffield

FINAL

Ipswich vs King’s Lynn/Sheffield

THE STORY

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches remain on course to retain their Knockout Cup title after they defeated Birmingham in the semi-final at Foxhall on Thursday.

The hosts had Chris Harris and Sam Masters guesting for the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Danny King whilst rider replacement was in operation for the ill Dan Thompson. The visitors handed a debut to world number two Fredrik Lindgren but were without captain Steve Worrall with rider replacement covering his absence. Having won the first leg 46-44 at Perry Barr on Monday, the Suffolk side were in the box seat to progress and after a tight opening to the second leg, the Witches proved to have too much for the visitors as they secured their spot in final. Keynan Rew top scored with 14+1.

Lindgren won heat one as Harris managed to get past Justin Sedgmen to reduce the damage to a 2-4 but the Witches went ahead in heat two courtesy of a maximum from Rew and Jordan Jenkins. The points were shared in heat three before heat four was stopped as Jenkins hit the deck with Emil Sayfutdinov leading at the time. Tom Brennan won the re-run in a Brummies heat advantage that levelled it at 12-12.

Ipswich banged in a 5-1 in heat five thanks to Masters and Adam Ellis, who was making his return from injury for the Witches. Harris was victorious in heat six with Jenkins picking up a point for a 4-2. Sayfutdinov was leading heat seven but was forced to retire with machinery issues, handing a heat advantage to the visitors. Ellis took the chequered flag in heat eight as the home team rode to another 4-2 to give them a 27-21 lead.

Brennan edged out Masters to win a shared heat nine before Rew won heat 10 as Harris picked off both Brummies riders to join him at the front for a maximum. Sayfutdinov finally got a race win to his name in heat 11 with Jenkins in third for a 4-2. Masters won a shared heat 12 making it 42-30 on the night with the Witches cruising their way into the final.

Another Knockout Cup final was all mathematically confirmed after heat 13 despite Lindgren picking up three points in a 3-3. Rew was first across the line in heat 14 as the points were shared again and it was another 3-3 in the final race of the night as Ipswich made it back-to-back finals in the competition.

REACTION FROM THE BOSS

Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Birmingham.

“I thought it was a great all round team performance again. I felt it was a really tough meeting, Birmingham came and really took it to us and fair play to them for that, they certainly fought hard and look like they have the makings of a good team there. I was really pleased with how our boys fought, as a unit we covered each other and covered the ones missing and covered ones carrying knocks. Every single person contributed again which is what we need at this moment, and I am thrilled to be in another final and by the time the final comes around hopefully we have got a full one to seven back.

“Keynan has scored a bag full of points this week and that has made a massive difference in us getting to that final. We needed him to step up and he has certainly rose to the occasion and done it. It is great to see, and it is nice to see him fulfilling all his potential. I think he is growing in confidence, and everything is going to plan for him at the moment.

“We know what we are getting with Chris who was superb again, he always comes in and does a good job and Sam showed his liking to Foxhall and I think he enjoyed his meeting with us, and we enjoyed having him.

“We managed Adam’s rides and a grippy Foxhall wasn’t necessarily the easiest track for him to return on, but he has come through it and now he will be off to Belle Vue on Saturday, and we hope everything goes well for him there.”

RIDER OF THE NIGHT

As was the case in Monday’s first leg, Rew starred from reserve, scoring 14+1 points which included three race wins.

WHAT IT MEANS

Ipswich will race in the Knockout Cup final, currently scheduled for September where they will face either King’s Lynn or Sheffield.

UP NEXT

The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 10^th June in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.