PREVIEW: SHEFFIELD v IPSWICH (ROWE MOTOR OIL PREM)

SHEFFIELD and Ipswich clash at Owlerton tonight (Thursday) in the first of two battles between the current top two in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership ahead of the play-offs.

The Witches currently head the table by five points so a victory tonight will confirm top spot, which will otherwise be resolved next week.

The previous meeting between the sides in South Yorkshire this season built up to a dramatic finale as Sheffield snatched victory with a 5-1 in Heat 15 from Josh Pickering and Jack Holder.

The Tigers are at full strength as they look to bounce back from a defeat at Belle Vue on Monday, whilst the Witches operate rider replacement for Adam Ellis, although they hope to welcome him back from a knee injury in next Thursday’s return fixture.

Sheffield boss Simon Stead said: “We need to make sure we get back on good terms ourselves and make sure we get back firing on Thursday.

“It’s a really, really important fixture because we still have top spot in our sights – and we know making sure we take the two points here tonight takes that into the final week.

“We need to make sure we get something out of the meeting, but we know it won’t be easy because it’s always a great fixture.”

Witches manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It is a great opportunity to race at Sheffield so close to the play-offs, a place we may end up going to if we both make it to the Final.

“It is a really challenging end to the season with two meetings against Sheffield, but that is a great thing going into the play-offs, and good results will give us confidence and momentum rolling into next month.

“We have had a good run of results, but this will be a stern test to get us ready for the massive meetings next month.”

SHEFFIELD: Jack Holder, Anders Rowe, Josh Pickering, Nick Morris, Chris Holder, Jye Etheridge, Leon Flint.
IPSWICH: Jason Doyle, Adam Ellis R/R, Emil Sayfutdinov, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Dan Thompson, Jason Edwards.

SCB Referee: Willie Dishington