DERBY WIN FOR WITCHES

IPSWICH edged out King’s Lynn 46-44 in a dramatic derby which was not decided until the last lap of Heat 15.

Stars duo Richard Lawson and Erik Riss gated in Heat 15 and looked set to snatch another turnaround away win, having been six points down at the halfway stage.

But Craig Cook muscled his way past Riss, and then heading into the last lap Danny King came through for a match-winning 3-3 with Riss falling going into turn one.

Cook again starred against his former club, dropping that one point in Heat 15 to finish on 14, whist King scored 13+1 and reserve Paul Starke contributed a vital 11+1. Lawson scored 10+1 for the Stars who took a league point.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “We scraped through, got another win and kept our hopes of the play-offs alive.

“It’s tough, we had ten heat winners and then other weeks we have not been having heat winners and we have had seconds and thirds. It would be nice to put it all together on the same night.

“Paul had another great meeting at reserve, and he is riding really well. Having him in top form at reserve is really helping us. Danny and Cookie were superb tonight and it was a brilliant performance from them.”

Stars co-promoter Dale Allitt said: “The boys gave it everything, Alex (Brady) worked superbly with them and it was a good speedway meeting.

“Ultimately we were disappointed to miss out but we have a consolation point on the board and we now look forward to taking on Sheffield on Monday.”

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Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT