The Evening Star Ipswich Witches won a thrilling encounter on Thursday evening when they defeated the Coventry Bees 54-38 at Foxhall Stadium in a match sponsored by the Evening Star.

Before the start of the meeting the crowd stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect to former promoter Joe Thurley who passed away recently and also to Darren and Sharon Boocock who were killed in a motorcycle accident last Friday.

The Witches were looking to keep up their challenge for a play-off spot and they lined up with both Robert Miskowiak and Steve Johnston taking their places despite both riders still feeling the effects of injuries sustained at the end of last week. Following the latest set of averages Tobi Kroner dropped down to reserve whilst Steve Johnston came back into the team proper.

Coventry, the reigning Elite League Champions currently sit at the bottom of the table but their injury problems are gradually improving and Olly Allen made his return to the side at number 2. American Billy Janniro was still injured and the Bees operated the rider replacement system at number 4 in his absence.

Ipswich got off to the worst possible start by conceding a 5-1 in the opening heat. Chris Harris was away smartly from the gate but Robert Miskowiak overtook the Grand Prix rider on the back straight. Harris fought back however and forced his way underneath Miskowiak entering the first bend on lap two and the Pole slid off his machine and into the fence. With Harris clearly in front at the time referee Mick Bates excluded the Ipswich man. In the rerun Piotr Swiderski was unable to make any impression on Harris and the returning Olly Allen. The Witches hit back immediately when Tobi Kroner maintained his record of winning every reserves heat that he has ridden in at Foxhall this season. Chris Schraam followed the German home for a 5-1 but only after having to remove his goggles whilst racing as he had been unable to see entering the third bend on the second lap. Jarek Hampel made an excellent start to win heat 3 from Simon Stead with Steve Johnston third to put the home side two points ahead. The Bees replied immediately with a 4-2 of their own when Rory Schlein continued his recent good form at Foxhall with a win over Robert Miskowiak with Andreas Messing third. So after four races the scores were tied 12-12.

Heat 5 saw the first drawn heat of the night with Jarek Hampel just holding off the hard chasing Chris Harris with Olly Allen third. The deadlock was broken in the next race when Piotr Swiderski took the chequered flag ahead of Rory Schlein and Tobi Kroner. The lead was extended in the next race courtesy of a superb ride from reserve Tobi Kroner followed by Robert Miskowiak over Great Britain International Simon Stead. Piotr Swiderski was then far too strong for Olly Allen in heat 8 and the ever game Chris Schraam left Andreas Messing in his wake to give the Witches a 28-20 lead after eight heats.

Rory Schlein inflicted the first defeat of the evening on Jarek Hampel in the next race but with Steve Johnston third the points were shared and the Witches lead was extended to twelve in the next race when Piotr Swiderski and Tobi Kroner kept Olly Allen and Simon Stead behind them. The deficit prompted Coventry Team Manager Peter Oakes to give a tactical ride to Chris Harris in heat 10 and although Tobi Kroner led for most of the first lap the Coventry man drove hard underneath the German and went away to win comfortably. With Olly Allen third the Bees took a 7-2 race advantage. Jarek Hampel again looked supreme to defeat Simon Stead in the next race and Chris Schraam again held off Andreas Messing for a 4-2 heat advantage to the home side. This meant that with three heats remaining the Witches led 42-33.

Any hopes the home fans had of a comfortable victory were immediately dashed when Rory Schlein and Chris Harris looked unstoppable when defeating Piotr Swiderski in heat 13 for a 5-1 heat advantage. The Witches now needed a 3-3 in the penultimate race to clinch victory but were denied by Rory Schlein winning the heat from Tobi Kroner and try as he might Steve Johnston was unable to catch Andreas Messing for third place. With the Witches leading by three points this meant a last heat decider with Schlein and Harris looking to repeat their success of two heats earlier. It was Piotr Swiderski and Jarek Hampel however who took the plaudits and sealed the victory for Ipswich with a 5-1 to leave the final score 50-43 to the home side.

The riding display in the final heat prompted Tobi Kroner to comment as he received his award as rider of the night “I am surprised to receive this as I think it should go to Piotr (Swiderski) and Jarek (Hampel) as their riding in the final heat was world class. This is a good win for us and I have been working hard and am feeling much better about my riding now.”

For the Witches Piotr Swiderski scored fourteen points and Jarek Hampel and Tobi Kroner were both paid for fourteen. With both Robert Miskowiak and Steve Johnston down on points following their injuries, Chris Schraam’s contribution of 4+1 was vital to the victory.

Chris Harris and Rory Schlein scored the bulk of the Bees’ points both notching fourteen.

With Swindon dropping a home point to Belle Vue this was a good night for the Witches who now look forward to a visit from the Robins on Monday 21st July.
 
Ipswich Witches:
Piotr Swiderski 14, Chris Louis rider replacement, Jarek Hampel 13+1, Steve Johnston 2+1, Robert Miskowiak 4+1, Tobi Kroner 13+1, Chris Schraam 4+1.

Coventry Bees:
Chris Harris 14+1, Olly Allen 7+2, Simon Stead 5, Billy Janniro rider replacement, Rory Schlein 14, Stanislaw Burza 1, Andreas Messing 2.