The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium tonight in a top-of-the-table ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture (7.45pm).

 

The Witches were in Knockout Cup action last week, beating Birmingham home and away to book their spot in the final and remain on course to retain their title. Attention now turns back to the league with the second-placed Tigers posing a stern test.

Just a point behind Ipswich, Sheffield have a good record on the road with three wins from four outings. The visitors will be hoping to get one over the Witches after Ipswich inflicted a 46-44 defeat on Simon Stead’s men in the reverse fixture at Owlerton.

The visitors have two current Grand Prix riders in their ranks, with Jack Holder and Tai Woffinden at one and five. Former world champion Chris Holder is at number three to ensure there will be plenty of big-name battles in Suffolk.

Dan Thompson returns to the Witches side at number two following illness, Scott Nicholls guests again for Danny King, who is not yet ready to return, and Chris Harris deputises at number one for the injured Jason Doyle.

A win for Ipswich would see them pick up the aggregate bonus point and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: "We are coming into a meeting against the reigning champions without our number one and captain, which is not an ideal scenario. But we have got a couple of great guests coming in with Chris and Scotty. 

"Sheffield will be coming to avenge the victory we got at their place. We want to walk away with three points, and I think it will be another close, tough battle.

“We welcome Dan back and it is great to have another rider back alongside Adam (Ellis). We are slowly getting there and when Scotty comes in, he doesn’t feel like a guest. We know what we are going to get with Chris, and they have both been brilliant on their recent visits to Foxhall so we will hope for the same again.

"We are putting out a good one to seven and one that is capable of winning the meeting, so we have got to come out again and keep fighting.

“I’m sure everyone will be looking forward to Emil (Sayfutdinov) going to battle with the big stars from Sheffield. They are bringing a lot of big names and I think it is going to be one hell of a meeting for everyone at Foxhall, it should be a classic.”

IPSWICH: 1. Chris Harris (G) 9.36 2. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Scott Nicholls (G) 7.50 4. Adam Ellis 5.95 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.24 © 6. Keynan Rew 4.15 7. Jordan Jenkins 4.00. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 8.86 2. Kyle Howarth 5.32 © 3. Chris Holder 7.83 4. Josh Pickering 6.92 5. Tai Woffinden 8.71 6. Jason Edwards 3.00 7. Dan Gilkes (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

REFEREE: C. GayTHE TIGERS