PREVIEW: IPSWICH v BELLE VUE (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM PO SF)

IPSWICH and Belle Vue kick off the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-offs  with the first leg of their semi-final at Foxhall tonight (Monday).

The defending champions face the league leaders in a repeat of last season’s semi-final, although on this occasion the opening clash takes place in Suffolk.

A recent league match between the clubs saw the Aces come back from eight points down to win 49-41, but the Witches bounced back to win at Leicester and secure their play-off place.

And both are now fully aware that the slate is wiped clean ahead of the crucial stage of the season.

Ipswich chairman Richard Coleman said: “Having lost at home to Belle Vue just a few days earlier, that victory at Leicester showed serious character, and we will need that again, and more, if we are to overcome the Aces and take our Premiership title defence into the Grand Final.

“Our first objective in the league has been achieved, and that was making sure we are part of the play-offs.

“While Belle Vue have enjoyed an outstanding regular season, it all starts from zero in the play-offs. We may be the underdogs on paper, but the last time I checked, speedway wasn’t raced on paper.”

Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “Racing play-off speedway is the ultimate, and it’s tough. There are no gimmies. We searched for 29 years before we won a league title at Belle Vue and hopefully now maybe three are coming along in five years.

“But we fought really hard to get those two recent ones, and this is going to be no different. I would never underestimate or disrespect any other club and what their capabilities are.

“Ipswich will come out fighting, and play-off speedway is definitely another level. I know what we’ve got, I know what I’m working with, and I’m pretty confident with that – but let’s not get carried away just yet.”

IPSWICH: Richard Lawson, Scott Nicholls, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Tobiasz Musielak, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Jason Edwards.
BELLE VUE: Brady Kurtz, Norick Blodorn, Peter Kildemand, Zach Cook, Jason Doyle, Tate Zischke, Will Cairns.

SCB Referee: Christina Turnbull

Live Streaming: https://www.britishspeedwaynetwork.co.uk/

Live Updates: https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/