WITCHES’ RUN GOES ON

IPSWICH extended their 100 per cent start to the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership season with a 49-41 win at Leicester.

It was the Witches’ third victory on the road in the league so far in 2025, and their fourth overall in addition to their KO Cup wins over Belle Vue.

The scores were level at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park with five races to go as the Lions had pulled back from six points down – but two Ipswich 5-1s in Heats 11 and 12 saw them regain control of the meeting.

An all-round team effort from the Witches saw Emil Sayfutdinov top score with 11 points and Jason Doyle add nine, with all of their riders picking up at least five.

Luke Becker won three races for the Lions to finish with 12 whilst Sam Masters added 10+1.

Ipswich manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “I think that was our best performance since Belle Vue and it was a real team performance again.

“Leicester are a good, solid side and everyone needed to perform and they did. Everyone will go away with positives and I am really happy.

“The reserves won us the meeting with their rides in Heat 12 and Heat 14. Every rider had a win or a paid win again which is happening regularly which shows how solid we are, and they are bouncing back from tough rides in their next one which is good to see. They are very determined and confident, and everything is going well at the minute.”

Becker said: “Personally it was good, but losing twice on the trot definitely isn’t what we’re aiming for, and we need to turn that around.

“I’m feeling good, the starts have been great which is something I’ve really been putting a lot of focus into, so I’ve got a lot of confidence and want to keep the momentum going.

“It’s a bummer to fall short as a team, but we’ll be hungry for Monday and I’m looking forward to it.”

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Photo credit: PHIL McGLYNN