WITCHES WIN WELL

IPSWICH enjoyed a convincing 52-38 home win over Peterborough as they play catch-up in the race for Sports Insure Premiership play-off places.

Jason Doyle (11+1) scored a four-ride paid maximum with Emil Sayfutdinov denied a full score of his own by mechanical trouble in Heat 13, and skipper Danny King weighed in with 12+1 as the Witches proved all but three of the race wins.

The result moves them level on points with fourth-placed Sheffield, who have two matches in hand, whilst the Panthers remain bottom of the table.

Niels-Kristian Iversen top-scored for the visitors at Foxhall with 12+1, whilst Richie Worrall won two races and scored 9+1.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I thought it was a professional job, you need to win against the team that is bottom of the league, and we didn’t leave ourselves in any trouble.

“I was pleased with some of the performances which were an improvement on previous weeks, so I’m happy overall.

“I was really happy with Dan (Thompson), to come out in Heat 2, make a start like that and win your first race on your home debut and get that straight out of the way showed that he has got a lot about him. It was very impressive and five points from your No.7 is a good return.”

Panthers manager Rob Lyon said: “Three heat wins told its own story, and around here trying to get the better of their top two boys is nigh-on impossible.

“The aim was to try and pack the minor places when they were in those heats, and take advantage elsewhere, but as always happens when Peterborough come here, Danny King seems to have a really good meeting!

“Danny is a quality rider, he knows what he can do around here, and he was the difference. It’s ‘same old’ but you look through the scorers and the top five did a reasonable job if I’m honest, but we struggled at reserve.”

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Photo credit: PHIL HILTON