WITCHES DOMINATE BRUMMIES

IPSWICH are back on top of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership after a commanding 56-34 win over bottom club Birmingham at Foxhall.

It was the perfect official home debut for new signing Jason Edwards, who piled up 12+1 at reserve against the team with whom he started the season, and his contribution helped the Witches pull clear on a damp night.

Skipper Danny King scored 11+1 and Emil Sayfutdinov 11 with the home side dominating the second half of the meeting having been only six points up after Heat 7.

Former Witches rider Keynan Rew scored 11+1 from six rides for the Brummies, who were limited to just three race wins.

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “It was a meeting we had to win, and we got a comfortable win. These wet meetings are not the most entertaining and wouldn’t have been the most enjoyable for anyone out there, but we did a good, solid, professional job.

“The standout performance was Jason in his first meeting as our Rising Star since signing the temporary contract and he has shown his determination that he wants to make it a permanent move.

“He watches and he learns, and his improvement from last week was immense. He is taking note of everything going on around him and is learning from our more experienced riders.”

Birmingham CEO Nigel Tolley said: “The Witches took a six-point lead and I thought we were holding onto things, but we just let it go.

“I don’t know if it’s when the track loosened up and it became a little bit deeper, and our guys are used to a slick track.

“But we just didn’t come up with the goods.”

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Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT