Belle Vue Aces v Ipswich Witches

BELLE Vue swept into the Premiership Grand Final for the second year running with a 55-35 win over Ipswich to complete a comprehensive 34-point aggregate victory.

The Aces will make another bid to end their wait for a top-flight title – which goes back to 1993 – next week, and now await the winners of the other semi-final between Sheffield and Wolverhampton.

New signing Robert Lambert marked his debut with a 15-point maximum, with Matej Zagar dropping just one point on his way to 12+2.

Jason Doyle top-scored for the Witches with nine, but the visitors were restricted to just two race wins with the damage having been done in their home leg last Thursday.

Lambert said: “Max’s [Fricke] shoes are tough boots to fill around here, and I never expected to come into my first meeting for Belle Vue and come away with a full maximum.

“It’s been a long and stressful few days for all involved to get us to this point and I’m just delighted to have this opportunity to come in and help the team to reach the Grand Final.

“You could sense the anticipation in the pits. The Ipswich boys were ready to battle and we were definitely up for the fight, and I think everyone rode well today.”

Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “Belle Vue are very good around here and Thursday cost us massively. Over the two legs they were the far superior side.

“We knew it was a massive task, but we are not quick enough when we come here, I think that has been quite apparent in our last two visits here.

“Overall, we have provided a lot more ups than downs, but we have ended on a low, but I hope this team isn’t just remembered for the last two meetings because during the league campaign they have been very good.”

PREMIERSHIP PLAY-OFF SEMI-FINAL, 2nd leg
BELLE VUE 55: Robert Lambert 15, Matej Zagar 12+2, Brady Kurtz 8, Charles Wright 7, Norick Blodorn 5, Jye Etheridge 4+1, Tom Brennan 4.
IPSWICH 35: Jason Doyle 9+1, Danny King 5+1, Rohan Tungate 5+1, Troy Batchelor 5+1, Aaron Summers 5, Paul Starke 5, Anders Rowe 1.
Belle Vue win 107-73 on aggregate.

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES