Ipswich Witches v Leicester Lions

IPSWICH’S play-off hopes remain alive after a 51-39 win over Leicester at Foxhall in the Sports Insure Premiership.

Jason Doyle scored a paid maximum (14+1) with Emil Sayfutdinov (11+1) unbeaten following a Heat 1 disqualification for bringing down Richie Worrall as the home side took all three league points available.

The Witches can reach a total of 34 points in the league with one match remaining, which would leave the Lions requiring a maximum of six points from their last five fixtures to finish above them.

Max Fricke scored 13 points for the visitors who now face a crunch Bank Holiday weekend including two home matches as they bid to put their season back on track.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “We finished our home league campaign with a solid performance, everyone scored throughout, and I was really pleased with the boys who had a bit of a duff second ride to pull it back round. It was a good result and a good performance that carries on our good run of form.

“We are third in the table and have no league meeting next week, it is whether the boys can catch us up now. They have got a massive opportunity to, and we are just hoping that they don’t.”

Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “Ipswich rode well and we dug in and gave them a meeting. It was certainly a better performance than what we’ve had in the last couple.

“This was a free hit because it wasn’t as if we were coming here to hold on to something, and one or two riders had decent performances and one or two need to up their game – and they’ll know who they are, I don’t need to mention them.

“We get geared up now for Saturday and Monday which are massive for Leicester, and we know what we’ve got to do.”

IPSWICH 51: Jason Doyle 14+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 11+1, Danny King 8, Keynan Rew 6+1, Erik Riss 5+1, Danyon Hume 4+1, Jason Edwards 3+1.
LEICESTER 39: Max Fricke 13, Richie Worrall 6+3, Richard Lawson 6, Justin Sedgmen 4+1, Jake Allen 4+1, Craig Cook 3, Drew Kemp 3.
Ipswich win the aggregate point

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Available here

Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT