This Thursday August 7th the Evening Star Ipswich Witches entertain the Belle Vue Aces as they aim to get back to winning ways on their home track after last week’s disappointing reverse against Lakeside.
With valuable ground lost to the Hammers that evening, the Witches will know that two points are crucial in the battle to get into the top four of the Elite League with the season heading towards its climax.
Ipswich presently are in fifth place behind Eastbourne, but have ridden four less meetings and are in a strong position to make up the deficit of three points. The Witches rode at Belle Vue on Monday evening with a depleted side featuring Rory Schlein as a guest and were still in contention until heat 14, before losing 48-42.
Tobi Kroner has moved back into the team at number 2 following the latest averages, while Steve Johnston moved down to reserve. Rory Schlein’s 14 points as a guest at number 5 helped to make the side competitive at Belle Vue and a guest will appear in the number 5 position on Thursday, but has yet to be named. Despite losing the meeting on Monday, the Witches will have raised their spirits after a battling display, and will be determined to halt a four match losing streak. Jarek Hampel will make his return after problems with his travel arrangements last week, and the Pole did well to score 8 points in Manchester on Monday.
Belle Vue were last in town on May 22nd, when the Witches recorded a 52-41 victory as part of their superb seven match unbeaten run. British prospect Tai Woffinden and reserve Jonas Raun rode on that occasion, but have been replaced this time around by Billy Forsberg at number 4 and Patrick Hougaard at number 7. The rest of the team have all had one run out at Foxhall so far this season. Star man and Aces number 1 Jason Crump showed his class to record 14 points from four rides, scoring six points with a tactical outing halfway through the meeting. Robert Miskowiak again proved that he has little respect for reputation on his home track, being the only Witch to beat Crump in heat 1 of that match. Danish international Charlie Gjedde goes at number 3 and he managed a useful 7+1 last time, while British veteran Joe Screen recorded a commendable 11 points from 6 rides. Former Newport rider Nick Simmons rides at number 6, and struggled to make an impact back in May, scoring only 2+1 from 7 rides on the night. Pole Lukasz Jankowski was missing that evening, with the Aces using the rider replacement facility at number 2 in his absence. The Aces will again be using rider replacement on Thursday as Jankowski is still missing though injury.
With the playoffs still a realistic prospect for the Witches, nothing less than two points will be required on Thursday evening. Despite Belle Vue being off the pace in the title race, they still have a strong side that comes to Foxhall knowing that the Witches’ top rider is missing through injury. Piotr Swiderski has the best Elite League average amongst non Grand Prix riders, and the team will miss his strengths on Thursday evening. In his absence the other riders will need to raise their game to score those extra vital points that will lead to a victory. Witches fans will need to get behind the riders to ensure that their team get that vital win and continue to push on in their league campaign.
