Ipswich Witches 47-43 Leicester Lions: Speedway report

The hosts were once again without three riders due to injury with Danny King, Jason Doyle and Adam Ellis all on the sidelines.

Rider replacement was being used for Doyle whilst Scott Nicholls and Troy Batchelor were guests for Ipswich.

The Witches held a six-point advantage after a first leg victory in Leicester and having exchanged maximums in the opening two heats, a string of 3-3s followed before Ipswich hit a couple of maximums that put them in the driving seat and ultimately it proved to be too much of an ask for the Lions to pull back as the holders reached the last four.

Nicholls top scored with a superb 17 points.

Jordan Jenkins (blue helmet) and Scott Nicholls in action (Image: Steve Waller)
It was the worst possible start for the home team as the Lions hit a maximum in heat one but heat two was stopped as Craig Cook slid off and was excluded.

The Witches took full advantage in the re-run as Keynan Rew and Jordan Jenkins raced to a 5-1 to level the score on the night.

Nicholls won a shared heat three and Emil Sayfutdinov did the same in heat four to leave the score 12-12.

Nicholls took another victory in a shared heat five and there was another 3-3 in heat six as Sayfutdinov breezed to the win.

Nicholls was proving to be a fine choice of guest again as he took the chequered flag in heat seven but with Rew retiring with mechanical issues it meant another 3-3.

The run of shared heats finally came to an end in heat eight as Jenkins and Dan Thompson teamed up for a big 5-1 that put the hosts 26-22 in front.

Nicholls continued his remarkable night with another three points in heat nine as the points were back to being shared again.

The Witches were edging closer to the semi-final after heat 10 as Sayfutdinov and Rew added another maximum.

The visitors kept their hopes alive in heat 11 with a maximum of their own but Nicholls took his fifth race win of the night in heat 12 in a 3-3 that left the hosts 38-34 up on the night and 10 points up on aggregate with just three to race.

Sayfutdinov took the chequered flag in heat 13 as Batchelor kept Max Fricke at the back for a 4-2 that sealed Ipswich’s spot in the semi-final with two races to spare.

Ryan Douglas won a shared heat 14 and Richard Lawson denied Nicholls a six-ride maximum as he won heat 15 in a Lions 2-4 which made the final score 47-43 on the night and 95-85 on aggregate.

Emil Sayfutdinov skippered the Witches to victory (Image: Steve Waller)
Witches' boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I am absolutely delighted with tonight; we knew it was going to be a really tough test.

"Leicester have got as strong a side as anyone when you look at it on paper and obviously, we are having a really tough time with the team.

"Scotty was absolutely amazing, and Jordan and Keynan stepped up with some important rides from reserve and that is what made the difference tonight.

“It was one hell of a performance from Scott in tough conditions and he looked as good as anyone we have seen go around here.

"His points tally shows it, and it was a top performance. If we can get him in as a guest, he is always my first phone call, and it is just a shame we won’t be able to use him next week with the eight-day rule.

“It was Jordan’s best night, a good heat two and then he struggled in his next one, but he was able to turn it around in heat eight which was by far his best ride of the season around here.

"He looked quick when got in front and pulled away and I’m really delighted to see him win a race. Heat eight was when it turned in our favour, it was level before then but that is what swung it to us.

“The injured boys are all having treatment and hope to be back as soon as possible but until that treatment progresses, you can’t put a date on when they will be back.”

IPSWICH 47: Emil Sayfutdinov (c) 13, Dan Thompson 3+1, Scott Nicholls (G) 17, Troy Batchelor (G) 3, Jason Doyle R/R, Keynan Rew 6+2, Jordan Jenkins 5+1. 

LEICESTER 43: Max Fricke (c) 5+3, Richard Lawson 12, Sam Masters 6+1, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Luke Becker 8+1, Craig Cook 5+1, Sam Hagon (RS) 2+1.