Ipswich Witches: Win against Peterborough means four wins on the bounce for Richie Hawkins’ side

Published: 05:00, 09 August 2023

Ipswich Witches are the form team in the Premiership right now, after a stunning recent spell that has seen them win four meetings on the bounce – three on the road.

All three away from Foxhall have come in the last 10 days, starting with a win at Leicester, followed by victories at King’s Lynn and Peterborough.

And the Witches are back at Foxhall Stadium tomorrow night, where the Stars from King’s Lynn are the visitors in a local derby clash (7.30pm), with more Premiership points up for grabs.

Flying with the Witches columnist Mike Bacon

It’s been a remarkable run of results for Ipswich, aided by the return to form of Erik Riss, who has suffered illness for much of this 2023 season, and coupled with the continued excellent form of Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle, as well as the improvement of Rising Star, Dan Thompson.

Having won at Lynn last Thursday, the Witches won on the road again – at Peterborough – on Monday night.

Dan Thompson has shown continued improvement in the past month for the Witches. Picture: Phil Hilton

Ipswich owner, Chris Louis, knows his side still have much to do, but he’s happy at least they are putting pressure on others.

“Yes, we’re in the top four at the moment, although it doesn’t’ feel we are exactly in the play-offs, as such,” Louis said.

Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle, topping the averages in British Speedway in 2023. Picture: Phil Hilton

“Everyone is keeping a close eye on the league table. If we can beat Lynn on Thursday and win at their place next week, that’s another five points. Others around us only need to slip up once or twice, especially at home and we are right back in it.”

Lynn include 2021 world champion Artem Laguta in their line-up tomorrow, a friend of Sayfutdinov’s – the two Russians having won the Speedway of Nations pairs event, three times.

With the weather set fair, a good crowd is expected at Foxhall, as the Witches look to make it three wins out of three over their Norfolk rivals this season – and five wins on the bounce.

Teams

IPSWICH: 1. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.91 2. R/R for Keynan Rew 4.00 3. Danny King 7.03 4. Erik Riss 4.86 5. Jason Doyle 9.37 6. Danyon Hume 3.74 7. Dan Thompson (RS).

KING’S LYNN: 1. Artem Laguta 8.00 2. R/R for Thomas Jorgensen 5.04 3. Benjamin Basso (G) 6.69 4. Connor Mountain (G) 5.00 5. Nicolai Klindt 6.50 6. Simon Lambert 3.66 7. Sam Hagon (G) (RS).

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Jason Doyle continues his Grand Prix season in Latvia this weekend.

A return to form for Erik Riss after an awful debilitating illness has ruined his campaign so far. Picture: Phil Hilton

Doyle will be hoping to get back on track, and he’s in a tight situation in sixth place in the standings, tied on 69 points with Dan Bewley and Martin Vaculik.

Ironically, 69, is Doyle’s racing number – so he will no doubt be hoping it can bring him luck and get him back among the points, leaving his Swedish GP disappointment behind him.

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The Witches maybe struggling to seal a play-off place in the Premiership, but they do boast the two top riders in the current UK averages.

Emil Sayfutdinov (9.98) and Jason Doyle (9.36) lead the way in the Premiership stats, with Sheffield’s Jack Holder in third.

It will remind older Witches fans of the days when John Louis and Billy Sanders, back in the 1970s, would regularly claim the top spots in the averages, the two forming one of the best spearheads in the British League at the time.

However, you will likely never beat 1998 in Witches history for having the best riders in the world in Ipswich colours, week in, week out, at Foxhall.

That year the Witches, as a team, won the treble, of League, KO Cup and Craven Shield. While on the individual stage, Ipswich riders finished first, third and fifth in the Grand Prix overall standings.

Tony Rickardsson was world champion in 1998, with Tomasz Gollob third and Chris Louis fifth. All three rode for the Witches that year! Just for good measure, Scott Nicholls, another member of that all-conquering side won the British U-21 title in ’98.

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Admission for fans on race night at Foxhall: Adults (17+) £22, concessions (65+) £20, children (16 and under) free, car parking is also free.

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UPCOMING FIXTURES

THURS., AUG 10 KING’S LYNN (HOME) 7.30pm PREM

Thurs., Aug 17, King’s Lynn (away), 7.30pm Prem

Mon., Aug 21, Wolverhampton (away), 7.30pm Prem

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PREMIERSHIP TABLE

(Top 4 into play-offs)

Team P Pts

Belle Vue 21 38

Leicester 16 29

Wolves 17 29

Ipswich 20 25

Sheffield 15 22

King’s Lynn 17 7

Peterborough 18 5

Speedway Mike Bacon