Birmingham Brummies v Ipswich Witches

Report

BIRMINGHAM ended their home campaign on a high with a 47-43 win over Ipswich to end a run of 12 successive ROWE Motor Oil Premiership defeats.

Ironically the Brummies’ last victory had come against the Witches at the end of May, and it was Zach Cook who clinched their triumph by passing Troy Batchelor to win Heat 14.

Tom Brennan was in top form for the home side with a 15+1 haul from six rides, whilst the Witches continue to suffer with injuries as they went down to a fifth successive loss.

Guests Richard Lawson (13+1) and Sam Masters (10) reached double figures, with the sides due to meet again at Foxhall on Thursday.

Birmingham manager Sam Ermolenko said: “I think that’s been coming for the last month or so to be fair. Ipswich came here with the team they had to put together, we had to put some pieces together as well and we just made the best out of what we had.

“They worked hard for it, we got the lead at the right time and I think that was important.

“Zach finished the deal off and it was nice with the restart that he didn’t fold, he challenged himself and gave the fans what they wanted.”

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “We were beaten by the better side tonight. The guests came in and all contributed and gave us everything, but we weren’t good enough and I have no complaints.

“We know the result does not matter, but it does in the fact that we wanted to win the meeting and get some wins under our belt before the important meetings next week, so that is disappointing.”

BIRMINGHAM 47: Tom Brennan 15+1, Freddie Lindgren 9+2, Zach Cook 9+1, Michael Palm Toft 6+1, Simon Lambert 5, Leon Flint 3, Piotr Pawlicki r/r.
IPSWICH 43: Richard Lawson 13+1, Sam Masters 10, Troy Batchelor 6+1, Jordan Jenkins 4+2, Danny King 4+1, Dan Thompson 3+1, Cameron Heeps 3.

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Photo credit: PHIL McGLYNN