"A brilliant performance": Ipswich Witches triumph in Premiership final first leg agaist Sheffield
Witches claimed a 54 - 36 win in the first leg at Foxhall
Ipswich Witches are within touching distance of winning speedway's top flight for the first time in 25 years, after a big win against Sheffield in the play off final first leg.
The home side won 54-36 and will take an 18 point lead into the second leg on Thursday night at Owlerton.
Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov top-scored for Ipswich, managing 15 and 13+2 respectively.
Speaking after the win, Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “I’m really happy with the result, it was a really tough battle. We managed to come through it and get a decent lead, so I’m delighted with all seven of them on a tricky track tonight due to the weather we had last night.
"I’m delighted with the boys, and it is a good lead, but we know Sheffield are going to come strong on Thursday.
“It was a brilliant performance from our three heat leaders, they won a lot of races. Heat 13 and 15 were crucial 5-1s, that is eight points up in two heats and they could easily have been shared heats.
"They have been superb all season and we have talked a lot about it, you can’t put into words the job they have done, and they have come up trumps again and what a pleasure they have been to work with.
“It was tough out there tonight, 13 out of the 14 riders attacked the track and battled hard. It felt like a battle, and it wasn’t enjoyable conditions for anyone to ride in, but it couldn’t be helped.
"The weather played its part which it does at this time of year, and it was a proper final with two teams battling their hardest. I’m sure it will be the same on Thursday.
“We had concerns having to move it to a Tuesday and clashing with the football team who are doing great this season but wow, you came out in force again.
"I spoke to everyone on the mic to re-iterate again, thank you for all of the support, you have made the world of difference to get us in the position we are in.
"We have come from the brink, and we now have a great opportunity to make this a legendary season.”
FINAL SCORES
IPSWICH 54: Emil Sayfutdinov 13+2 (Paid Maximum), Erik Riss 5, Danny King © 10, Keynan Rew 5+1, Jason Doyle 15 (Maximum), Danyon Hume 5+1, Joe Thompson (G) (RS) 1+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
SHEFFIELD 36: Robert Lambert (G) 9, Kyle Howarth © 3+2, Chris Holder 2+1, Josh Pickering 8, Richard Lawson (G) 6, Connor Mountain (G) 3, Jason Edwards (RS) 5. Team Manager: Simon Stead