Ipswich Vs Edinburgh Pl Poq 1st Leg Thurs 22nd Sep

[Pob 545]

Taken from the Ipswich Website

 

The 'Tru7.com' Witches begin the Premier League Play-Offs with a Quarter-Final first leg tie against reigning champions the Edinburgh Monarchs at Foxhall on Thursday (7.30pm).

A fantastic second half to the campaign has seen the Witches rise up the table and storm into the top six to secure their place in the end of season drama. The Suffolk side come up against an Edinburgh side who have won the title the previous two years and who finished fourth in the league this time around.

The Witches welcome back Joe Jacobs to the side after illness and James Sarjeant has declared himself fit to ride. At the time of writing the management are working hard to find the best possible guest at number seven to cover for the injured Danyon Hume. We will update the team news as soon as we receive it.

The Scottish side are led by Australian Sam Masters who is one of the league's top performers and represented Australia in this year's World Cup. USA star Ryan Fisher rides at number two with German Kevin Wolbert completing a strong top three. The Monarchs also have doubts at number seven with Dan Bewley facing a race against time to be fit after his recent spell on the sidelines.

The Witches will hope to take a big advantage to Armadale for the second leg but the Monarchs will be a tough nut to crack and only lost by three points at Foxhall earlier in the season.

Team Manager Ritchie Hawkins wants his side to carry on their good form and build a good lead to take north of the border.

"We need to carry on our own good form and ride the way he have been," said Hawkins. "We need to build as big a lead as possible and try and make life easier but I believe we should do well in both legs. We want a good solid performance on Thursday like we have been doing at home the last two months."

The boss says he will not approach the meeting any differently and adds he has confidence in his side to get a result.

"Everyone has been under a lot of pressure to win meetings and get us in the Play-Offs but we just want to carry on our good form because we've been riding so well. In a sense we are underdogs in the Play-Offs because we were written off a long time ago. We're in very good form and we are confident so we will go out there and do our thing and we are capable of getting a very good result. "

Hawkins is aware of the test his side face against the champions but believes the Witches' form stands them in good stead to defeat the Monarchs.

"They are the reigning champions and won't want to lose that title easily but I think we are coming into the Play-Offs in the best form that I've known at the club since I have been involved. We've built up well to this and we need to concentrate on ourselves and if we ride to our abilities I think we will be fine."

KIDS GO FREE to this huge meeting and there will be a display of 'Classic Witches Race Jackets' prior to the meeting.

Ipswich 'Tru7.com' Witches:

1. Danny King © 9.38

2. James Sarjeant 5.45

3. Nico Covatti 7.32

4. Morten Risager 6.88

5. Ben Barker 7.56

6. Joe Jacobs 4.78

7. TBC 3.00

Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

Edinburgh 'Border Roofing' Monarchs:

1. Sam Masters © 8.97

2. Ryan Fisher 7.77

3. Erik Riss 6.56

4. Mark Riss 5.00

5. Kevin Wolbert 8.13

6. Max Clegg 3.60

7. Dan Bewley TBC 3.55

Team Manager: John Campbell

http://www.speedwaygb.co/news.php?extend.31319

 

Dan Bewley out for the rest of the season so both teams looking for a no7 for the meeting .

[Mr Blobby 2,670]

what was all ready a difficult task has become a even tougher one without Dan as that's part of fire power at reserve gone as there's nobody around that will score what Dan would.

Hopefully we can keep it to around 10 points and I think that should give us a good chance for the second leg to progress.

[Pob 545]

Same problem for us Blobby , losing Hume has weakened us at the tailend as well .

 

Hopefully the Witches can come away with a 14+ lead , hopeful but i think we need it when we visit your place .

[TheScotsman 2,484]

Oh dear - no Dan the Wee Man.

 

What ever are we going to do.

 

If only Mitchell Davey was fit....!!!!!!!!!!!!

[damosuzuki 696]

Think the Witches will win on the night, but not by quite enough. I'd imagine this will be a belter!

[Baldyman 6,243]

Dan only scored 2 from 5 last visit.but has obviously improved a lot since then

I think we need at least a 16 point lead to try and defend. Can we get that? It's gonna be tough. Need lots of 5.1 from morten and nico

[TheScotsman 2,484]

Dan is a good half a dozen points better than that now.

Well maybe not now because he's injured, but up to the time of the Newcy match when he got hurt.

 

Our best chance of progress was going to be if our 2 reserves came on to some big scoring by the play-offs but now one of them is out.

 

Still we have got the big 3 and the new World Long Track Champion and the new NL Riders' Champion / Under 19 Champion so it's not all bad!!

 

Might depend on how Erik's big brother gets round.

 

 

Ippo got to be favourites for the tie now though.

[Baldyman 6,243]

Nice bluffing lol

[TheScotsman 2,484]

No bluff - we needed 8 or 9 from the Wee Man and a big score from Cleggy.

[Baldyman 6,243]

With your home advantage you are clear favourites

[Pob 545]

Hearing its Connor Coles for the Witches at No7

[2ndbendbeerhut 1,781]

I heard that too....

[2ndbend 53]

Surely if the Witches really want to win this leg by 12 or more, we need to look at either Ellis Perks or Ben Morley !!!!!!!

[2ndbendbeerhut 1,781]

How can Morley ride ? Has an average of 4.52.....

 

And after Perks let Ipswich down last week....

Edited September 20, 2016 by 2ndbendbeerhut

[dontforgetthefueltapsbruv 10,706]

Am I right in thinking there is no tacticals allowed??