North grabs last-heat second place as Witches grab point

IPSWICH Witches team manager Pete Simmons paid tribute to his side after they picked up a point, losing by just 6 points at Somerset on Friday night.

The Suffolk side gained a 5-1 maximum in heat two through reserves Cameron Heeps and Rohan Tungate, but were then on the back foot as they tried to keep in touch with the Somerset Rebels at the Oaktree Arena.

The Witches were never more than eight points behind their hosts and went into heat 15 needing a 5-1 maximum to gain a 45-all draw.

But Claus Vissing won the vital heat 15, with Leigh Lanham shedding a chain on the last bend, but Dakota North’s second place meant that, although the Witches lost by six, they picked up a point.

“We have done well to get a point tonight,” Simmons said.

“Again our reserves have done well and we must take a lot of confidence from this..”

North top-scored for the Witches with 11 points and both he, Kevin Doolan and Lanham won vital races.

The Witches travel to Leicester tonight and another good performance will put their League Cup hopes well on track.

Witches scorers at Somerset: D North 11+1, R Tungate 8+2, K Doolan 7+1, L Lanham 7, C Heeps 5+2, M Tresarrieu 4.

Leicester: L Bjerre, S Lambert, K Nieminen, J Makinen, M Karlsson, J gravesern, K Hughes.

Ipswich: L Lanham, R\R, K Doolan, D North, M Tresarrieu, C Heeps, R Tungate.