Ipswich ‘Sackers’ Witches new No.1 Richie Worrall cannot wait for Thursday night’s meeting to get underway.

The Suffolk side open their account as a team with a League Cup clash against Rye House Rockets at Foxhall Stadium Thursday night. And new Witches No.1 Worrall is itching to go – and is confident of success for his team.

“It was nice riding in Morten’s meeting on Saturday, but it will be nice for the boys to get together as a team against Rye House,” he said.

“I’ve felt really comfortable with all the boys, although I felt I could have done better on Saturday (in the Morten Risager Testimonial). But in saying that, I learned a lot of things.

“Some of the boys looked really good, especially Rohan (Tungate) and Ritchie (Hawkins). So I’m expecting us to beat Rye House.”

Worrall’s confidence befits a rider who is proud to be wearing the No.1 race jacket for the Witches – and knows it importance.

“Going out in heat one sets a bit of a tone,” he added.

“I know when I was at Newcastle I used to watch heat one closely to see how things are. If your No.1 can come in with a good first ride, it helps the rest of the boys.”

While the Witches will start favourites tonight against the Rockets from Hertfordshire, one underestimates Rye House at their peril.

The perennial party poopers Len Silver’s side have already upset Peterborough Panthers on their opening night, with a two-point victory.

And at Foxhall two seasons ago, it was a narrow two-point Premier League victory for the Rockets over the Witches that proved a huge set-back for the Suffolk side’s League hopes.

Led by GB World Cup star Edward Kennett, Rye House have the Premier League’s highest-averaged No.1. Coupled with the returning Matt Tresarrieu, Steve Boxall and Jason Garrity, Ipswich will need to be on their guard.

Jason Bunyan is missing for the visitors, as he prepares for the New Zealand Grand Prix.

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