Ipswich Tru7 Group Witches top gun Tom Brennan put an injury-hit winter behind him as he inspired his side to a 47-43 victory away to King’s Lynn on Monday.
Brennan bagged 12 paid 13 points from five rides as the Witches took charge of the Premiership Knockout Cup Southern Section with an East Anglian double, comfortably claiming the aggregate bonus point 97-83 following their 50-40 win over the Stars at Foxhall last Thursday.
They now need just one victory and a bonus point from home and away matches against Rowe Motor Oil Premiership newcomers Northampton when the sides meet at Foxhall on April 23 and Brafield on April 30 to secure their spot in the Premiership Knockout Cup Final against the winners of the Northern Section, featuring Belle Vue, Sheffield and Leicester.
Monday night belonged to Brennan, who cemented his status as Witches’ new No.1, with two wins and three second places, while race partner Danny King also impressed on nine paid 11.
Brennan endured a turbulent winter, suffering a fractured left tibia and fibula while practising in California last October. This left him battling to be fit for the 2026 season, so the double FIM Speedway of Nations world champion was delighted to have found his form at the Adrian Flux Arena as he bettered the six paid eight he scored in the reverse fixture at Foxhall.
He said: “It was good. I think I was finally back to where I believe I can be. Last Thursday was a bit of a disappointment, and I have been working very hard behind the scenes.
“I managed to have a pretty successful night. The whole team rode really well. King’s Lynn is strong at home, so it was definitely good.
“It has been a long winter. I have been injured, and I didn’t really do anything. I pretty much enjoyed my Christmas dinner for a couple of months longer than I should have done. Because of my injury, I hadn’t really been moving around.
“It was only really January or February when I was thinking, ‘Okay, we have to start racing now.’
“Making sure I am in the right headspace is what I have been working on. Behind the scenes, we have also been working really hard with bikes and setups. I’m really grateful I had the people around me to do those things.”
Brennan is pleased to be paired up with Witches skipper King at No.1 and No.2, with the pair delivering 12 points from their three heats as a double act.
He said: “Danny and I seem to ride really well together, which is a bonus. With us being at No.1 and No.2, it’s an absolutely crucial part of the team. Danny has lots of experience, and it’s really cool to be paired with him.
“I am really enjoying my time here and hopefully Danny and I can keep scoring those 5-1s.”
The fact Ipswich is just a win and a bonus point away from reaching the Premiership Knockout Cup Final is remarkable, especially as Witches riders and fans found themselves waiting anxiously for news on the club’s takeover throughout the winter.
Brennan is enjoying life under new co-promoters Richard Coleman and Andrew Chisholm, as well as team manager Paul Hurry. He said: “None of us even knew if the takeover was going to happen until a really short time ago. It’s brilliant. The new management with Richard and Andrew is doing such a fantastic job and Paul as well. He has been an absolute credit to the club so far. It has been really cool to work with him.
“To reach the final would be a boost. But we have a long way to go this season – the league is also very important.”
Witches commence their Rowe Motor Oil Premiership title defence away to the Belle Vue Aces next Monday, before returning to Foxhall for their Premiership Knockout Cup showdown with Northampton on April 23.
Advance tickets for the Northampton contest are available online HERE.
KING’S LYNN STARS 43: 1. Max Fricke 12, 2. Paco Castagna 4+1, 3. Chris Harris 6+1, 4. Ben Cook 14+1, 5. Jan Kvech 3+1, 6. Cooper Rushen 3, 7. Jody Scott 1+1.
IPSWICH TRU7 GROUP WITCHES 47: 1. Tom Brennan 12+1, 2. Danny King 9+2, 3. Tobiasz Musielak 5, 4. Scott Nicholls 7+1, 5. Richard Lawson 6, 6. Philip Hellstrom-Bangs 3+1, 7. Jason Edwards 5+1.