SCORECARD
SHEFFIELD 57: Jack Holder 10+1, Leon Flint (RS) 8+1, Chris Holder 12+3 (Paid Maximum), Nick Morris R/R, Josh Pickering © 12, Anders Rowe 12+2, Jye Etheridge 3+2. Team Manager: Simon Stead
IPSWICH 33: Chris Harris (G) 7, Danny King © 4+1, Jason Doyle 5+1, Dan Thompson 4, Tom Brennan 2+1, Adam Ellis 6+1, Jason Edwards (RS) 5. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
REFEREE: W. Dishington
ROWE MOTOR OIL PREMIERSHIP TABLE
| Team | Meetings | Points |
| Sheffield | 24 | 43 |
| Ipswich | 24 | 43 |
| Leicester | 24 | 42 |
| Belle Vue | 24 | 37 |
| King’s Lynn | 24 | 30 |
| Oxford | 24 | 11 |
| Birmingham | 24 | 6 |
PLAY-OFFS
SEMI-FINALS:
1st Leg: Belle Vue 48-42 Ipswich, 2nd Leg: Ipswich 59-31 Belle Vue
1st Leg: Sheffield 46-43 Leicester, 2nd Leg: Leicester 47-43 Sheffield
FINAL
1st Leg: Leicester vs Ipswich (6th Oct), 2nd Leg: Ipswich vs Leicester (9th Oct)
THE REPORT
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches completed their regular ROWE Motor Oil Premiership fixtures with a defeat at Sheffield on Thursday night.
The two previous attempts at running the outstanding regular league fixture of the season were postponed due to the weather meaning it had to be run mid Play-Off campaign with little to nothing riding on the result. It was Sheffield’s last meeting of 2025 after they lost their Play-Off semi-final against Leicester whilst for the Witches, the focus was on the Play-Off final against the Lions next month.
Chris Harris guested for Emil Sayfutdinov who was unable to travel due to a stomach problem whilst Sheffield were missing the injured Nick Morris, with rider replacement in operation at four. Sheffield started strongly and raced to a comfortable victory as Ipswich avoided picking up any injuries ahead of the title decider against the Lions. Harris top scored with seven points.
The hosts kicked off proceedings with a maximum in heat one and it was followed by a 3-3 in heat two. Sheffield doubled their lead in heat three with another 5-1 as Jason Edwards picked up the first Ipswich race win of the evening, holding off Josh Pickering in a shared heat four, which made the score 16-8 to the home team.
The Tigers registered another 5-1 in heat five and the points were shared in heat six. Jason Doyle took the chequered flag in heat seven which ended in a 3-3. Danny King picked up a win in a shared heat eight leaving Sheffield 30-18 in front.
The hosts bagged another 5-1 in heat nine and followed it with a 4-2 in heat 10. It was a 3-3 in heat 11 and it was the same result in heat 12 with the Tigers in control at 45-27.
Harris raced to victory in a shared heat 13 and it was a heat advantage to the hosts in heat 14. The evening ended as it started with a maximum to Sheffield making the final score 57-33.
RITCHIE HAWKINS REACTION
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s defeat at Sheffield…
“We came through with no injuries and obviously it wasn’t a great result. Apart from Jason Edwards all the boys were so far off it with setups at the start of the meeting, they were all over the place. Everyone made changes and got better but realistically we were not making good enough starts and were losing so much ground on the opening lap and you will never be able to pull that back. The main objective was to get through the meeting unharmed, ready to attack the final in 10 days.
“We have worked hard for a number of years to get into this position, and we have had the core of this group together for two or three years now and we are fully focused on the final, there is no doubt about that. All our concern is on that, that is a given and we look forward to it.
“We have a break now which is the same for both sides which is good. A lot of the boys have big meetings abroad or in the Championship or in the Speedway of Nations and that is good competitive action, and we are looking forward to Leicester.”
RIDER OF THE NIGHT
Fans online voted for Harris who top scored as a guest.
WHAT IT MEANS
Not a lot. Sheffield are the first team to pick up the aggregate bonus point against the Witches and three points sees them finish top of the table as their season ends. For the Witches, the Play-Off final awaits.
NEXT FIXTURE
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches travel to Leicester to take on the Lions on Monday 6th October in the first leg of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership Play-Off final. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.
Press Officer at Ipswich Speedway