IPSWICH Witches travel to Sheffield Thursday night in the first part of a three-day schedule that will make or break their season.

IPSWICH Witches travel to Sheffield Thursday night in the first part of a three-day schedule that will make or break their season.

The Suffolk side race in the Premier League Trophy at Owlerton Stadium this evening knowing only a draw or win will do.

In this round-robin series of three teams, Rye House have proved the surprise packet by beating Ipswich at Hoddesdon and drawing at Sheffield last Thursday. It puts them in them in the boss seat, should Ipswich fail to pick up even a bonus point in Yorkshire.

With two cup semi-finals to come at Edinburgh tomorrow night (in the KO Cup) and Workington on Saturday night (in the League Cup), it is quite a few days for Witches’ riders, fans and machines.

“If we lose all three badly, the season is done,” admitted Witches No.1 Leigh Lanham.

“That’s a fact. But there is no reason that should happen. We will travel up together, stay together overnight at hotels. We have a good camaraderie when we travel as a group, with Chris Louis and Pete Simmons. Just a shame we will miss Dakota (North).”

Indeed North’s absence in these three vital meetings is a big loss for the Witches.

He is riding in the world under-21 round in the Czech Republic on Saturday night and flies out tonight for practice tomorrow.

“Dak is riding so well at the moment, we are going to miss him,” Lanham added.

“But we have all the incentive we need, the chance for cup finals and big meetings.”

Thursday’s teams

Sheffield: J Franc, H Skidmore, R Hall, R/R, R Wells, J Haines, C Schramm.

Ipswich: L Lanham, M Risager, T Poole, R/R, R Tungate, M Tresarrieu, S Nielsen