Ipswich boss Paul Hurry instantly handed star guest Kevin Juhl Pedersen another chance to shine after he played a pivotal role in the Tru7 Group Witches’ epic 46-44 win at Northampton on Monday.
In the clubs’ first league clash at Foxes’ Brafield home, where the Witches triumphed 49-41 in Premiership Knockout Cup action on April 30, Polish ace Tobiasz Musielak led the charge on 12 points, with Richard Lawson racing to 10 paid 13.
The pair teamed up to split Northampton duo Jaimon Lidsey and Nicolai Klindt in a tense last-heat decider to secure three Rowe Motor Oil Premiership points as Witches won on the night and 93-87 on aggregate to claim the bonus.
But Hurry was also elated with a great Premiership debut by guest Juhl Pedersen, who picked up a match-winning six paid seven as he covered for the injured Philip Hellstrom-Bangs.
The Dane has already been confirmed in the Witches side for their East Anglian derby date away to King’s Lynn on Thursday, and Hurry was impressed with his impact at Northampton,
He said: “He was good and with a performance like that, he kept us in front and helped us win the meeting. We are going to give him another chance at King’s Lynn.
“He’s good; he’s professional; he makes starts, and he listens. He slotted in straight away with the team. When I spoke to him on Saturday, he took to us like a duck to water. He is nice to talk to and knows what he wants. He is a pleasure to deal with. When Denmark is producing riders like that, you can’t fault it.”
Hurry was pleased to see his big-hitters deliver in a high-stakes heat 15 as Lawson worked overtime to keep Klindt at the back. He added: “Richard is a lifesaver at times. What can I say? When the chips are down, you can rely on Richard and Tobi. You can rely on the others too. Richard was on it and Tobi was going well. It’s good that we have so many riders to choose from in heat 15.”
Musielak was delighted to top the score chart as Witches claimed a second straight win at Northampton.
He said: “A win secured in heat 15 always tastes twice as good! I am really proud of the team because we did a great job, and we put three points on the table. It was a very important win, and I am really happy.”
FINAL SCORES
NORTHAMPTON FOXES 44: 1. Jaimon Lidsey 12, 2. Kye Thomson 6+1, 3. Niels Kristian Iversen 7, 4. Troy Batchelor 3, 5. Nicolai Klindt 9, 6. Jonas Jeppesen 2+1, 7. Luke Harrison 5+1.
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES 46: 1. Tom Brennan 4, 2. Danny King 6+1, 3. Richard Lawson 10+3, 4. Scott Nicholls 7, 5. Tobiasz Musielak 12, 6. Kevin Juhl Pedersen 6+1, 7. Jason Edwards 1.