Speedway: Ipswich on track for playoffs after beating King's Lynn
It's five wins in a row for the Witches
Ipswich look on track to secure a spot in the play offs - as they sit fourth in the table after a 51-39 win against King's Lynn
The home team were using rider replacement for Keynan Rew but were still heavy favourites against a patched-up Stars side.
Dan Thompson had to be withdrawn after a heavy heat two crash caused a dislocated shoulder, leaving the Witches with just five men.
Despite this, the Witches made it five wins in a row, something team manager Ritchie Hawkins is pleased about: "I am delighted with the effort shown by the five remaining riders and the seven mechanics that worked their socks off to keep the boys on track.
"It was an amazing effort in the pits by all twelve of them and I couldn’t have asked for more, I am delighted with them.
“The loss of Dan in heat two was a massive blow to us with us already using rider replacement. It has been confirmed on x-ray that he has dislocated his shoulder.
"We will know more about the damage in the coming days. To pick up an injury when you are hitting the best form of your life is really disappointing for him. Hopefully it isn’t too severe, he is young, and I know he will work hard to make sure he recovers as quickly as he can. He will come back stronger.
“There was a lot of dirt on the track and some riders struggle to ride a speedway track with dirt on nowadays, that makes it difficult for them. Our boys dealt with it well and there was lots of incidents and good racing.
“That makes it five wins in a row, but we can’t get carried away with that. We have another important meeting next week that we need to win away from home to keep the pressure on everyone and then we will go to Wolves the following week.”
Ipswich remain fourth and add two points to their total, closing the gap on the two teams above them.
King’s Lynn stay sixth.