Speedway: Witches secure victory in first meet of the season
Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 12+1
The Ipswich Witches begin their Premiership campaign with a 51-39 victory over the Belle Vue Aces.
The hosts were missing Jason Doyle due to personal reasons with Scott Nicholls guesting in his absence.
The scores were level after six races but despite being without their Grand Prix star, Ipswich managed to kick on and record a comfortable win to get their season started.
Emil Sayfutdinov top scored with 12+1.
Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins shared his views on the victory: “I’m really happy, it was certainly a tricky night and a potential banana skin against a very good Belle Vue team.
"We coped with them well and improved during the meeting, every single rider. It was everything I could have asked for from an opening night.
“Everyone scored and everyone contributed, nobody struggled throughout the meeting consistently. Losing Doyley is a massive blow to our team, but Scott came in and did a really good job and I’m really happy he could guest.
"His contribution took the pressure off the other boys.
“We certainly looked rusty at the start of the night, but they made changes and improved and that was good to see. They were trying things and getting things figured out which you wouldn’t expect to happen overnight, but they did it quickly.
“It was great to see a good crowd in for opening night giving us good backing and I’m sure they were all entertained again, and we have got a long season ahead, but it was a positive start.”
The Witches will be back in action next Thursday, when they host the Birmingham Brummies.