The Ipswich ‘Tru7.com’ Witches head to the Scunthorpe ‘Henderson Insurance’ Scorpions on Sunday in the return fixture of the League Cup group (3pm).
The Scorpions visited Foxhall on Thursday and took all four points from the opening meeting of the group recording a 48-41 win on the night. Matters were made worse following the meeting when it was confirmed that Morten Risager had broken his second metatarsal in his right foot after catching the bike of Lewis Kerr in a heat nine crash. The injury is likely to rule the Dane out of action for a few weeks, who scored 10 on the night.
To accommodate the injury the Witches will move James Sarjeant to number four and will operate Rider Replacement at two. The Scorpions will be unchanged from Thursday’s line-up. The last time the two sides met at the Eddie Wright Raceway last season, the Witches came out on top winning 47-43 and a repeat result would put the Witches back in the hunt to progress from the group.
Witches number five Nico Covatti admitted Thursday was a tough night for the side and was not content with his own form.
“For me it was a bit of a surprise result because we lost. There was a lot of expectation and everyone thought we would win but it turned out to be a difficult meeting for us. On my part I am not happy with my own form. I got eight points but I know I can do better than this. I was using my new engines, so it will take a little time to find the perfect set up but I know I have to give much more than this.”
The 27-year-old says the absence of Morten will be a blow but is hoping for a speedy recovery for the Dane.
“What happened with Morten is really bad luck. It was the first meeting of the season and now we will be without a team mate, it’s not good for the team or Morten himself, but hopefully he will be back as soon as possible.”
The Argentine Championship winner is looking forward to visiting the Eddie Wright Raceway on Sunday and says the Witches need to win.
“Sunday is a different track, I like it because I have always gone well there in previous years and I think the engine will be a bit better on this track, which is a little bigger than Ipswich. We need to win on Sunday, there is no other option. There is a little more pressure for me because I want to give more than I did on Thursday, and we are all thinking the same so let’s go and win on Sunday.”
Scunthorpe ‘Henderson Insurance’ Scorpions: 1. Josh Auty (c) 8.00 2. Nicolai Klindt 5.89 3. Alex Davies 6.26 4. Zdenek Holub 7.00 5. Ryan Douglas 6.68 6. Carl Wilkinson 5.33 7. Josh Bailey 3.00
Team Manager: Dave Peet
Ipswich ‘Tru7.com’ Witches: 1. Danny King (c) 9.54 2. R/R 3. Lewis Kerr 7.03 4. James Sarjeant 5.00 5. Nico Covatti 7.55 6. Paco Castagna 3.33 7. Darryl Ritchings 3.00
Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins