IPSWICH ‘Sackers’ Witches get their 2013 programme up and running at Foxhall Stadium on Good Friday afternoon, when they entertain the Rye House Rockets (2.30pm).
IPSWICH ‘Sackers’ Witches get their 2013 programme up and running at Foxhall Stadium on Good Friday afternoon, when they entertain the Rye House Rockets (2.30pm).
Most of the Witches have been devoid of little or no track action with the cold weather persisting and it promises to be a tough opener for Pete Simmons’ side, as they go straight into competitive League Cup action.
One thing everyone will be hoping for is a less eventful meeting than the corresponding fixture 12 months ago.
Then, the Witches and the Rockets were involved in a frightening opening night that saw three riders take a trip to hospital and the meeting curtailed early.
Ipswich will certainly be looking to No.1 Ben Barker to get their season up and running.
Barker has had more meetings that any of his Witches team-mates so far this campaign and has showed good early form. He is leading a very different Witches side in 2013, as director of speedway Chris Louis admitted.
“We’ve built a different-looking team this year and I’m looking forward to seeing them in action.
“From the excitement of Ben Barker to our two young reserves, Adam Ellis and Cameron Heeps. And I’m pleased to have captain Leigh Lanham in from the start this time, without the pressure of the No.1 race jacket. He will enjoy his racing much more and it will benefit us.”
Rye House are led by Olly Allen, a rider more than capable of scoring heavily in the Premier League.
He has vast Elite League experience and was in the last Elite League side in 2010, where he averaged 4.90 from 18 EL meetings.
The Rockets also include exciting Aussie Tyson Nelson who missed last year because of visa problems.
Children, when accompanied by a paying adult, are admitted free and there is the traditional Good Friday fun for the children, with an Easter Egg hunt, face painting and bouncy castle.
Tonight’s teams
Ipswich: 1 B Barker, 2 J Makinen, 3 R Tungate, 4 M Risager, 5 L Lanham, 6 A Ellis, 7 C Heeps.
Rye House: 1 O Allen, 2 J Bunyan, 3 A Mellgren, 4 J Garrity, 5 T Nelson, 6 K Lykke, 7 S Lambert.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here