Speedway: Ipswich crowned Knockout Cup champions
They've won the title for the first time since 1998
The Ipswich Witches are 2023 Knockout Cup champions for the first time since 1998.
They were crowned on Thursday night at Foxhall after defeating the Sheffield Tigers (97) 55–35 (83).
Sheffield brought a six-point lead to Suffolk, having won 48-42 at Owlerton in the first leg on Monday.
Joe Thompson guested once again for injured brother Dan in the Rising Star position for Ipswich whilst Max Fricke and Kyle Newman were in again for injured Sheffield duo Tai Woffinden and Claus Vissing.
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Thursday’s win against Sheffield:
“A brilliant night and a great team performance. I thought the track was superb tonight, perfect for us. We have had a lot of different variations that we have experimented with and tried different setups, but I think it suited us down to the ground tonight. The boys have got used to the grip and used it to our advantage and I thought it was a superb performance all round.
“We know Sheffield are a good team, they are in the cup final and the play-offs. Tonight, we stepped up more than them, if they all click together, they are a solid team but today we all clicked and contributed, and it was deserved. Out of the six fixtures in this cup run we have done very well and been solid throughout this competition and deserved to win it. It is nice to get the monkey off the back and nice to win a final and the boys did it in great style.
“This season is 10 years since I agreed to come back and ride for a month just to help Chris (Louis) out whilst he got sorted. 10 years later I am still here, and it has been 10 years of working very hard.
"Look, the main goal is to win the play-offs, let’s be honest. However, the Knockout Cup is a massive achievement and we have got one more step to go. We are going to work very hard next week but to get a cup win will give the team a massive confidence boost as well and we will keep this good feeling going into Monday."
Ipswich travel to Manchester on Monday 18th September to take on the Belle Vue Aces at the National Speedway Stadium in the first leg of a Premiership play-off semi-final tie.