Speedway: Ipswich lose first leg of the Knockout Cup final
The second leg takes place on Thursday
The Ipswich Witches have a six-point deficit to overturn after a 48-42 defeat at Sheffield last night in the first leg of the Knockout Cup final.
The Witches were without injured Rising Star rider Dan Thompson with his brother Joe guesting in his place.
The hosts were missing Tai Woffinden and Claus Vissing through injury as Max Fricke and Kyle Newman deputised.
Ipswich team manager Ritchie Hawkins shared his thoughts on the defeat: “I was really pleased with the boys; we got a bit beat up with Erik and Keynan having crashes and we could have let it fall away but we stuck in there and come away six points down. "At the halfway stage, six points isn’t drastic and is certainly something we are confident in overturning.
“Danny did really well and carried on his good form and stepped it up with an important ride in heat 12. It was great to see Erik bounce back from a disappointing meeting last time out and then he bounced back tonight, picking himself up from the deck and showing great mental strength to carry on and score some vital points.
“Erik and Keynan are both sore, Keynan is suffering more than Erik at the moment, and I am sure they will be sore in the morning. We are confident they will be ok for Thursday, but we will know more in the morning.
“I think it was a meeting that provided everything which a cup final should. Nobody moaned about the rain, and everyone carried on and racing like that in the rain was brilliant to see. It leaves things evenly poised and exciting going into Thursday.”
The winner of the Knockout Cup will be decided on Thursday, when Ipswich host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium.