Speedway: Ipswich narrowly miss out on place in the play-off finals
It ended 92-88 on aggregate to the Lions
Ipswich have narrowly missed out on a spot in the Premiership play-off finals after a narrow 51-39 defeat to Leicester.
The Witches came into the second-leg with an eight-point lead after the first leg at Foxhall - but it ended 92-88 on aggregate to the Lions, with it all coming down to a last-heat decider.
There was a delay to start of last night's fixture due to rain, making track conditions tricky.
The Lions edged in front early on, but Ipswich never gave up despite decisions going against them all night and they still led on aggregate after 11 races.
Leicester managed to level the aggregate score and it all boiled down to a last-heat decider which went the way of the Lions who progressed to the final.
Brennan top scored with 11+1.
"Immense pride"
Ipswich Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins shared his thoughts on the defeat: “My first emotion is immense pride.
"To be a part of it this season has been an honour. The whole camp has worked so hard, the guys who have come in have fitted in really well and enjoyed the atmosphere and that is something we strive for.
"The never say die attitude is as strong as I have ever seen before, to lose two such influential people at different stages of the season and to carry on in their absence with their performances and living up to their expectations.
"Both play-off meetings we have had a super young team out and they have done the Witches proud.
"Thank you to all the travelling support all season and certainly tonight. It is massively appreciated by us all and we will regroup and come again with another title challenging team.
“The referee is now the talk of the meeting and there were appalling decisions and inconsistency. I completely expected it and knew what we were going to be battling against, but we also threw some points away from overtrying and inexperience at times.
"We can learn from that going into next season but there is nothing we can do about tonight now. We have just got to get on with it.
"A great showcase for play-off speedway"
“Track conditions were difficult but both teams went out there and put on the best show you could in the circumstances.
"I think it was a great showcase for play-off speedway and massive congratulations to Leicester, they are a great bunch of boys who I have a lot of respect for and good luck to them in the final. I am sure whoever they are up against will face a very stern test...
“It is a season of what could have been, but we have provided so many highlights with lots of away wins. It has been a brilliant team to work with and it has been a great season in lots of ways with these boys.
"Every single one of them and the mechanics have been superb to work with, so a big thank you to them. Thank you to our amazing fanbase, their loyal support is unwavering even through the tough times, they are there week in week out home and away.
"As a club it is amazing to be a part of."