Ipswich Witches v King’s Lynn Stars

IPSWICH opened up their new era with a 50-40 win over local rivals King’s Lynn in the southern section of the Premiership KO Cup.

The Witches made a flying start at Foxhall, going 12 points up after just four races, and they led 39-21 with five heats to go.

However, a Stars comeback inspired by new signing Max Fricke and skipper Chris Harris saw the visitors pick up back-to-back 5-1s to reduce the gap ahead of the return on Monday where the aggregate point will be at stake.

Richard Lawson top-scored for the Witches on his return to the club with 10+1 and Rising Star Jason Edwards impressed with three race wins as he scored nine. Fricke piled up 16 from six rides for the visitors with Harris on 9+2.

New Ipswich boss Paul Hurry said: “I didn’t really know what to expect. It’s all new for me, and all new for Richard (Coleman) and Andrew (Chisholm). It was a good night.

“The track wasn’t ideal because a few dark clouds came over beforehand. They held off on the watering a bit.

“Hopefully next time we are here, the track might suit the boys a little bit more and they’ll all be dialled in. But the night was great. I enjoyed it. It’s a bit of a learning curve for me, and I am just looking forward to the rest of the season.”

King’s Lynn manager Rob Lyon said: “The first four heats was a bit of a shellshock, but the boys made a lot of changes and got into the meeting, and we contained Ipswich from that point on really.

“We were a little unlucky with Jan (Kvech) having his engine problem in Heat 13 which would have reduced it even further to six points – but ten is not insurmountable, and we’re good enough to get the aggregate point on Monday.”

PREMIERSHIP KO CUP (NORTH)
IPSWICH 50: Richard Lawson 10+1, Danny King 9+2, Jason Edwards 9, Tobiasz Musielak 8, Tom Brennan 6+2, Philip Hellstrom-Bangs 5+2, Scott Nicholls 3+1.
KING’S LYNN 40: Max Fricke 16, Chris Harris 9+2, Jan Kvech 6, Ben Cook 4+2, Paco Castagna 3, Cooper Rushen 1, Jody Scott 1.

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Photo credit: STEPHEN WALLER