Hawkins upbeat as Ipswich Witches head to Edinburgh Monarchs in huge speedway clash
Ipswich Witches' team manager Ritchie Hawkins. - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Ipswich‘Tru7.com’ Witches team boss Ritchie Hawkins says his side had too much for a depleted Berwick Bandits side after the home side recorded a 56-37 win at Foxhall on Thursday night, as they head to Edinburgh.
Justin Sedgmen leads the way from from Jye Etheridge, left and Kyle Newman. - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Hawkins says his side’s strength shone through and the boss was pleased to see Justin Sedgmen and Kyle Newman showing their potential, both hitting double figures on the night.
“It does not help with Berwick coming with half of their side missing,” said Hawkins.
“They kept it pretty close for a lot of the meeting but we were too strong in the end for them.
“Justin and Kyle rode a lot better tonight. Kyle made a couple of good starts in his last few rides and Sedgy was trapping well again. I was never too worried about them but it was good to see them showing their potential tonight and the riders we know they are.”
Maximum man Danny King leads Sam Masters - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller
Newman has recently been dropped by Premiership side Poole but the boss believes it won’t be long before another side snap him up.
“Kyle will be back in the Premiership pretty quickly, he rode really well tonight and that is the best we have seen him. Hopefully he can carry that on at Edinburgh tomorrow for us.”
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Meanwhile The Witches travel to Edinburgh tonight in a crucial top versus second Championship clash.
The two sides met last week in Suffolk as the Witches recovered well to come from behind and inflict defeat on the Scottish side, running out 50-39 winners.
The away side make a change to the riding order for tonight’s meeting as Newman moves to the number two position with Cameron Heeps going to number four.
The Monarchs are unbeaten at Armadale in 2017 and have been the team to beat so far this campaign as they sit top of the table. Australian champion Masters captains the side with Erik Riss at number three, who impressed at Foxhall last week. Another who impressed was young Australian Josh Pickering who rides at reserve for the Monarchs in his first season in British speedway.
Armadale has not been a happy hunting ground for the Witches in recent times, with the Monarchs winning comfortably on the previous five meetings north of the border.
Hawkins says his team go to the league leaders full of confidence and is hoping for a determined performance from his team.
“There is an opportunity there for us to go there and get a result,” said Hawkins.
“The boys like the track and we need to be confident in ourselves about how good a team we are. There is always the potential for us to win away from home as well as at home. We need to go there full of confidence and with a lot of determination and focus.”
Teams at Edinburgh
Edinburgh: S Masters, M Riss, E Riss, M Clegg, R Wells, J Pickering, M Davey
Ipswich: D King, K Newman, J Sedgmen, C Heeps, R Schlein, C Mountain, N Greaves
