WITCHES TARGET PAIRS CONSISTENCY

IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins says his side will still fight to defend their Premiership Pairs title – despite being forced into a change from their initial plans.

Skipper Danny King and Erik Riss will represent the Witches at Leicester on Thursday, after club No.1 Jason Doyle was ruled out of the event.

Hawkins said: “Danny played a big part in winning the event last year and Leicester is a track he likes, so he will be looking to do the same again this year.

“The plan was for him to be paired with Doyley, but as I’m sure some people have seen a Polish fixture has been re-arranged and they take priority over this event so he will be forced to ride there.

“Consistency is the key; we will probably have to attack it a bit differently this year. I don’t know the stats, but I wouldn’t have thought Doyley dropped many points over the five rounds last year.

“It is an easy format to work out, no last places and you get through. We need to be consistent and team ride together.”