The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches remain on course to retain their Knockout Cup title after they defeated Birmingham in the semi-final at Foxhall last night.

A 51-39 second leg victory secured a 97-83 aggregate win and sets up a final clash with either King’s Lynn or Sheffield in September.

The hosts had Chris Harris and Sam Masters guesting for the injured duo of Jason Doyle and Danny King, whilst rider replacement was in operation for the ill Dan Thompson. The visitors handed a debut to world number two Fredrik Lindgren but were without captain Steve Worrall with rider replacement covering his absence.

Having won the first leg 46-44 at Perry Barr on Monday, the Suffolk side were in the box seat to progress and after a tight opening to the second leg, the Witches proved to have too much. Keynan Rew top scored with 14+1.

Team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “I thought it was a great all round team performance again. I felt it was a really tough meeting, Birmingham came and really took it to us and fair play to them for that, they certainly fought hard and look like they have the makings of a good team there.

"I was really pleased with how our boys fought. As a unit we covered each other and covered the ones missing and covered ones carrying knocks. Every single person contributed again, which is what we need at this moment, and I am thrilled to be in another final. By the time the final comes around hopefully we have got a full one to seven back.

“Keynan has scored a bag full of points this week and that has made a massive difference in us getting to that final. We needed him to step up and he has certainly rose to the occasion and done it. It is great to see, and it is nice to see him fulfilling all his potential. I think he is growing in confidence, and everything is going to plan for him at the moment.

“We know what we are getting with Chris (Harris) who was superb again, he always comes in and does a good job and Sam (Masters) showed his liking to Foxhall. I think he enjoyed his meeting with us, and we enjoyed having him.

“We managed Adam (Ellis)’s rides and a grippy Foxhall wasn’t necessarily the easiest track for him to return on, but he has come through it and now he will be off to Belle Vue on Saturday, and we hope everything goes well for him there.”

The Witches are next in action when they host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Monday in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.

IPSWICH 51: Chris Harris (G) 11+1, Dan Thompson (RS) R/R, Sam Masters (G) 9+1, Adam Ellis 6+2, Emil Sayfutdinov © 6+1, Keynan Rew 14+1, Jordan Jenkins 5+1, Freddy Hodder DNR. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins.

BIRMINGHAM 39: Fredrik Lindgren 12, Steve Worrall R/R, Wiktor Lampart 8+1, Justin Sedgmen 4, Tom Brennan © 10, Piotr Pawlicki 3, Leon Flint (RS) 2+1. Team Manager: Sam Ermolenko.

REFEREE: G. Allen