Ipswich Witches v Sheffield Tigers

Report

IPSWICH edged out Sheffield 47-43 in a classic contest at Foxhall with Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov combining for a 5-1 in Heat 15.

Tigers guest Scott Nicholls had rolled back the years with a stunning performance, defeating the Witches’ top two in Heat 13 which at that stage kept the visitors two points ahead.

But the home side levelled in the penultimate race as key reserve Danyon Hume headed up a 4-2, and although Nicholls hit the front in the last race – which would have set up a Super Heat – Doyle charged through at the start of lap three and Nicholls fell as Sayfutdinov also came through.

Doyle (13+1) and Sayfutdinov (11+2) led the scoring for the Witches, whilst Nicholls (11) and reserve Lewis Kerr (10+3) were in double figures for the Tigers.

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I’m delighted to get the win against a very strong team. At this stage of the season any victory against strong teams like Sheffield are good ones.

“Missing Erik Riss is making it hard now, and I’d have taken a four-point win at the start of the night to be honest.

“Obviously there were some top performances again tonight from our heat leaders, but Danyon was also very good for us. He’s gone up a level these last two meetings this week. That’s probably him having more time on the bike, as he’s coming back from injury from last season.”

Sheffield manager Simon Stead said: “I actually think the final result probably flatters Ipswich a little bit; it was a really, really tough ride by Jason in Heat 15 with Scotty coming down as a result of that.

“So yes, disappointed to fall a little bit short but what this result does do is sets up a really tasty tie when they come to Owlerton next month.”

IPSWICH 47: Jason Doyle 13+1, Emil Sayfutdinov 11+2, Danny King 9+1, Danyon Hume 8+1, Keynan Rew 4, Joe Thompson 2, Erik Riss r/r.
SHEFFIELD 43: Scott Nicholls 11, Lewis Kerr 10+3, Adam Ellis 7, Kyle Howarth 6+1, Jack Holder 4+2, Dan Gilkes 4, David Bellego 1.

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Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT