Ipswich Witches v Belle Vue Aces

IPSWICH missed the chance to secure their play-off spot as they were beaten at home by Belle Vue despite being eight points up after Heat 9.

A win would have confirmed the Witches in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership’s top four and it looked good for the defending champions when they led 31-23 after Heat 9.

But Aces reserve Tate Zischke inspired a terrific fightback by the visitors, who officially sealed top spot with a 49-41 victory after carding three 5-1s and two 4-2s in the last six races.

Zischke (12) won Heats 12, 14 and 15 for the Aces and teamed up with Peter Kildemand (10+2) to clinch the match in the final race.

Tobiasz Musielak top scored for the Witches with ten points, and they remain fourth in the table – but if they lose at Leicester on Monday, the door will be open for King’s Lynn to overhaul them.

Belle Vue boss Mark Lemon said: “The last couple of seasons, when Ipswich had the likes of Jason Doyle and Emil Sayfutdinov in their team, it’s been a tough hunting ground for us.

“We came here in the Knockout Cup last year and then the play-off semi-final, and we went home with our tails between our legs. But this season, the tables have turned.

“It’s really pleasing to see Tate’s performances, and Norick’s (Blodorn) as well, in all fairness, because they didn’t have the greatest seasons last year.”

Ipswich skipper Danny King said: “Tate was fantastic. He was riding very well. What can you say? They were the better team.

“We knew it was going to be tough in the later heats. We knew we had to build a lead going into them. We were doing okay at one point, but unfortunately, they were just too strong for us.

“We have been in the play-off positions all year and, if we drop out at the last minute, it’s going to be heartbreaking. We have fought hard all season to be in that top four, and it’s still the goal.”

IPSWICH 41: Tobiasz Musielak 10, Tom Brennan 8+1, Danny King 6+1, Richard Lawson 6, Scott Nicholls 5+2, Jason Edwards 4+2, Kevin Juhl Pedersen 2.
BELLE VUE 49: Tate Zischke 12, Peter Kildemand 10+2, Jason Doyle 9+1, Brady Kurtz 8, Zach Cook 5+1, Norick Blodorn 4+1, Sam Hagon 1.
Belle Vue win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT