‘Should be a classic’ – Witches host Sheffield Tigers in top-flight clash

Ipswich’s ‘Tru7 Group’ witches host Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium tonight in a top-of-the-table ROWE Motor Oil Premiership R1 fixture (7.45pm).

The Witches were in Knockout Cup action last week, beating Birmingham home and away to book their place in the final and remain on course to retain the title. Attention now turns to the league, with the second-placed Tigers posing a stern test.

Just one point behind Ipswich, Sheffield have a good record on the road with three wins from four outings. The visitors will be hoping to go one over the Witches after Ipswich inflicted a 46-44 defeat on Simon Stead’s men in the reverse fixture at Owlerton.

The visitors have two current Grand Prix drivers in their ranks with Jack Holder and Tai Woffinden at one and five. Former world champion Chris Holder is third to ensure there will be plenty of big name battles in Suffolk.

Dan Thompson returns to the Witches side at number two after illness, Scott Nicholls comes in again for Danny King, who is not yet ready to return, and Chris Harris fills in at number one for the injured Jason Doyle.

A win for Ipswich would see them lift their aggregate bonus point and extend their lead at the top of the table.

Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “WWe come into a meeting against the reigning champions without our number one and our captain, which is not an ideal scenario. But we have some great guests coming with Chris and Scotty.

“Sheffield will be coming to avenge the win we got in their place. We want to leave with three points and I think it will be another close and tough battle.

“We welcome back Dan and it’s great to have another driver alongside Adam (Ellis). We slowly get there and when Scotty walks in, he doesn’t feel like a guest. We know what we’re going to get with Chris and they’ve both been brilliant on their recent visits to Foxhall so we’ll be hoping for the same again.

“We offer a good one at seven and one that is capable of winning the meeting, so we have to come out again and keep fighting.

“I’m sure everyone will be looking forward to Emil (Sayfutdinov) fighting the big stars in Sheffield. They’re bringing a lot of big names and I think it’s going to be one heck of a meeting for everyone at Foxhall, it should be a classic.”

IPSWICH: 1. Chris Harris (G) 9.36 2. Dan Thompson 4.46 (RS) 3. Scott Nicholls (G) 7.50 4. Adam Ellis 5.95 5. Emil Sayfutdinov 9.24 © 6. Keynan Rew 4 .15 7. Jordan Jenkins 4.00. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD: 1. Jack Holder 8.86 2. Kyle Howarth 5.32 © 3. Chris Holder 7.83 4. Josh Pickering 6.92 5. Tai Woffinden 8.71 6. Jason Edwards 3.00 7. Dan Gilkes (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

REFEREE: C. GayTIGERS