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Ipswich Witches now ‘vulnerable’ admits team boss Ritchie Hawkins, as they head to Glasgow

Mike Bacon

Published: 2:50 PM July 28, 2017 Updated: 5:17 PM October 11, 2020

Nathan Greaves leads Josh Pickering during heat two of the meeting on Thursday between the Witches and Edinburgh, which the Witches lost. Photo: STEVE WALLER - Credit: Picture: Steve Waller

Ipswich Witches make the long trip to league leaders Glasgow on Sunday in a Championship fixture (3pm).

The Suffolk side will be desperate to get back on track and put right the wrongs of Thursday night after they fell to a first home defeat of the season against Edinburgh. The task does not get any easier with a trip to Glasgow, who look set to top the table after an impressive campaign so far.

The Witches are at full strength for the meeting as Danny King returns from Poland to take his place at No.1 where he is representing Great Britain in the World Games.

The Tigers sit in pole position with meetings in hand and barring a disaster are likely to be in the end of season play-off shoot-out.

The home side are also at full strength with Nike Lunna returning to the side having missed the earlier encounter in the season with injury. Dan Bewley’s progress continues to impress many in the sport and he rides at No.4.

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Ipswich claimed a point at Ashfield earlier in the season after a battling display saw them recover from a bad start to narrowly lose 49-43.

Team Manager Ritchie Hawkins says his side need to react quickly to Thursday’s defeat and need to pick up points away from home as the play-off spots open up.

“We need to remember how hard we fought there last time and go back with that same spirit,” said Hawkins.

“We need to pick ourselves up from Thursday.

“I have said to the boys that we will have to pick those points up somewhere else along the road. We can’t dwell on it and we need to make it back up somewhere and we are more than capable of doing that.

“We certainly don’t look as strong in the play-off positions now and we have made ourselves a little vulnerable.”

The boss says losing the 100% home record is a reminder that his side must be at their best week in week out in the Championship.

“The defeat will make us more determined for the rest of the season. It has been a kick up the backside that we need to be on top of our game every week and as soon as you let it slip you get punished, like we were on Thursday.”

Glasgow ‘Allied Vehicles’ Tigers:

1. Richard Lawson 8.86

2. Nike Lunna 5.96

3. Richie Worrall 8.74

4. Dan Bewley 5.90

5. Aaron Summers (c) 8.67

6. Tom Perry 3.68

7. Jack Smith 2.54

Team Manager: Stewart Dickson

Ipswich ‘Tru7.com’ Witches:

1. Danny King (c) 8.88

2. Kyle Newman 6.14