Ipswich Witches kick off Speedway season with a win
They beat the Peterborough Panthers
The Ipswich Witches began the 2023 season with a win on the road as they defeated Peterborough in the Premiership.
The hosts lost their number one Nicki Pedersen to injury in heat one after a fall and although they led narrowly for the majority of the night, the Witches hit three maximums in the final five races and secure victory.
Emil Sayfutdinov scored top for Ipswich with 14 points from five rides.
Team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflected on Monday’s win over Peterborough: “I’m delighted to get an away win on the board early because it gives us a really good start to the league season.
"I was really happy with all seven of them, obviously there is room for improvement, clearly at the bottom end but there was also a lot of positive rides from them.
"Away wins are special for the fans"
“Peterborough was a nice one to come back to for Emil and everyone really, it is always nice place to go. It suits Emil and he was rapid, and it was great to see. Him and Doyley are class, it is far from a given that they are going to do the business in heat 13 and 15 but they did tonight.
“I was really happy with Keynan after that heat 14 ride, we talk a lot about the top end, but the bottom end chipped in with vital points and if we are going to win meetings, we are certainly going to need points from the bottom end, and they did that tonight.
“We always take a good following to Peterborough and the away wins are special for the fans. We have been there and had bad meetings on the road and the fans spend their time and money to come and support us and it is nice to send them home happy, that is always what we are trying to achieve.”