Speedway: Ipswich secure tight win against Wolverhampton
The Witches sit fifth in the Premiership
Last updated 7th Jul 2023
The Ipswich Witches beat the Wolverhampton Wolves 47-43 after a last-heat decider at Foxhall last night.
The hosts were returning to action after a two-week break and were at full strength for the clash, with Wolves drafting in Scott Nicholls for the injured Luke Becker as both sides started the second half of their league campaign.
There was little to separate the two sides throughout.
Things were all level going into heat 15 as Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov secured the victory with a maximum, both riders top scoring with 13+1.
Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win:
“We got the win in the end, we needed to get the two points on the board. I am disappointed we didn’t win by more, I felt we should have won by more than that, but we put ourselves in a position where we could have lost again.
"We are in July now and really; we need to do better but we got away with one tonight. We are not going to keep getting away with them, we have been punished before.
“In fairness it was tricky for the boys tonight, the track produced a lot more dirt than it has done for a couple of seasons. That takes a bit of getting used to for everyone and that should in theory create some home track advantage.
"I think you saw with Danny; he is used to riding the track when it is like that as he has been here many years and it was more like the track it was a few years ago. The other boys who haven’t ridden it like that before struggled.
“It wasn’t purposely made to be difficult to ride. We walked the track, and I thought it was going to be great. From my experience of seeing many tracks at Ipswich over the last 10 years, I thought it would ride really well.
"Early on it was difficult for the boys but it was a great meeting. There was lots of excitement and close racing. In that sense it produced a good meeting, but it was tricky for both teams.
“Erik crashed and hurt his wrist so we will wait and see how he is tomorrow and over the weekend. I don’t think it is anything serious, but you never know, so fingers crossed he will be ok with a few days of rest.
"It was a big shame because I thought he was going really well, especially in that race we were on a 5-1 until his crash. We all know he is a vital part of the team."
Ipswich stay fifth in the Premiership, but keep pace with Sheffield in fourth whilst Wolverhampton drop to third after defeat.
The Witches take a four-point lead to the West Midlands in August when the aggregate bonus point will be decided.