Ipswich Witches entertain King's Lynn Stars tonight at Foxhall Stadium in a meeting they simply cannot afford to lose. MIKE BACON takes a look.
PLAY-OFF PICTURE
The Witches home form is what will have cost them should they not reach the play-offs this season.
However, they are still in with a shout although they cannot afford anymore slip-ups. And slip-up is just what they did against tonight's opponents King's Lynn the last time the two sides met at Foxhall.
The Witches looked to be heading for all three points, before two 5-1 reversals in the final two races saw them lose 44-46. It was a crushing blow.
It really is a case of which of Sheffield or Ipswich are going to grab the final fourth spot in the Premiership play-off race. The Tigers come to Foxhall next Thursday, before the Suffolk side head to Yorkshire at the end of August.
LOCAL RIVALRY
Despite the Witches having lost the last time at home to Lynn, they have won in Norfolk twice already this campaign.
Both times the Suffolk side won with races to spare. Ipswich have also picked up bonus points on their travels at Peterborough and Sheffield, which makes their home form even more galling..
So, tonight, not just points are up for grabs, but local pride.
NO JASON
Again Jason Crump misses out for the Witches, although Rory Schlein is a more than capable guest replacement.
Crump hasn't had much luck since his awful crash at Wolverhampton back in May.
Last week he had a coming together with his Witches team-mate Craig Cook at Plymouth and aggravated the rib injury he suffered back in May. He had only just got back racing again.
However, Anders Rowe does return for the Witches after crashing at Lynn last month.
HAWKINS SAYS
Witches team boss Ritchie Hawkins said ahead of tonight's clash.
“We can’t be losing at home again this season so in that respect we need a win regardless of the occasion.
"Obviously, it was a terrible result when they won at our place earlier on in the year and we need to put that right. It will be another tough meeting as they go well at our place and they are starting to move into a bit of form. We are going to have to perform well.
"I’m really pleased to have Anders back; I think at the stage in his career that a few weeks off might not be a bad thing for him to refresh his batteries. He’s come through practice and practiced well so I’m delighted to have him back and he has been our highlight of the year so far."
TEAMS
IPSWICH: 1. Rory Schlein (g) 2. Anders Rowe 5.49 3. Danny King 6.93 © 4. Jake Allen 5.57 5. Craig Cook 7.60 6. Drew Kemp (RS) 7. Paul Starke 4.67. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
KING’S LYNN: 1. Thomas Jorgensen 6.49 2. Cameron Heeps 5.91 3. Erik Riss 6.16 4. Lewis Kerr 5.81 © 5. Richard Lawson 6.11 6. Connor Mountain (RS) 7. Ricky Wells 4.00. Team Manager: Alex Brady.
PREMIERSHIP TABLE
Peterborough 10 26
Wolverhampton 9 24
Belle Vue 11 24
Ipswich 13 15
Sheffield 10 14
King's Lynn 9 7
TICKETS
Tickets are available to buy online (until 7pm on raceday) and on the gate and are priced at £19 for adults, £17 for concessions (65+), £5 for students (16-17). Children 15 and under go free. Official programmes are priced at £3 and are available at the stadium. Car parking is free for all supporters. Debit and credit card payments are accepted. Turnstiles open at 6.40pm.
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