WITCHES CONTENT AFTER FIRST LEG

IPSWICH manager Ritchie Hawkins says he left Manchester on Monday satisfied with his side’s overall position in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final.

The Witches went down 48-42 at Belle Vue in the first leg but battled throughout the meeting to contain the home side and prevent major damage.

Hawkins was especially encouraged by the fact that they did not fall away in the closing stages as has been the case on previous visits to the National Speedway Stadium.

He said: “Obviously we would have liked to done even better but overall, I am really happy with the lads and the way they rode.

“They stuck in the meeting and bounced back after Heat 8 in the second half of the meeting to keep it level from then on.

“There were a lot of 3-3s where we filled in the minor placings and I think that really showed our battling qualities and determination. There was a lot of team riding, and we had our sensible racing heads on.

“It leaves things finely poised for Thursday. It was a great battle between two great sides and there was some great racing, and I’m sure Thursday will be the same.”

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES