The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches drew their Knockout Cup final second leg fixture against Sheffield at Foxhall last night, with the visitors being crowned champions on aggregate.

A depleted Ipswich went into the fixture as big underdogs, having lost 55-35 in the first leg. They had to try and make up the 20-point deficit without the injured trio of Jason Doyle, Emil Sayfutdinov and Jordan Jenkins. Rider replacement was in operation at one, with Tom Brennan and James Pearson coming in as guests. The visitors were using rider replacement for Tai Woffinden.

The Witches started strongly and pulled 10 points back after six races, but the Tigers steadied themselves and had enough to see the job through and lift the Knockout Cup. Keynan Rew top scored with 14 points.

Reflecting on the 45-45 draw, Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins said: “I was proud of the boys tonight. It was a mammoth task ahead of them, even more so after losing Jordan last night. They came out and put everything into it and gave us a bit of hope at the start of the meeting after starting off so well.

"It would have been easy after recent results to roll over and take another defeat and use excuses, but they didn’t. They came out and fought like you should in a cup final and it gives us great optimism going into the play-offs on Monday.

“We know what could have been if we didn’t have all of the injuries but that is the situation and, as a team, we are not thinking about that. They are doing the best they can do, and we are missing two of the best riders in the league. It is what it is.

"Everyone talks about it a lot more than we do as a team. The guys are out there and are doing their jobs better than expected for most of them. We will have a full one to seven next week and we look forward to Monday. I was very pleased with the improvement we have shown in the last few weeks, it was immense tonight and it gives the boys a lot to build on for Monday now."

Hawkins added: “Keynan was exceptionally good tonight. He has stepped back into the team after that spell at reserve and to see him riding that well in the main body of the team gives us great optimism looking ahead to next year. He is our rider and someone we would like to keep, so that is pleasing to see.

“Dan is back at reserve and looked super quick. It is good to see his improvement around here as well. He was a bit down on confidence around Foxhall in the last month, so it was great to see him score well, and I thought he looked the quickest he’s ever looked tonight.

“I can’t see Jordan riding again this season. He was here tonight so fair play to him; he came straight from hospital to support the boys which is great commitment and something I love to see.

“Many congratulations to Sheffield on winning the cup. I know they were disappointed to miss out to us last year and they were by far the better team over the two legs.”

The Witches now host the Leicester Lions on Monday in a ROWE Motor Oil Premiership play-off semi-final first leg fixture. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.

IPSWICH 45: Jason Doyle R/R, Adam Ellis 4+2, Keynan Rew 14, Tom Brennan (G) 9+2, Danny King © 9, James Pearson (G) 0, Dan Thompson (RS) 9+1. Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins

SHEFFIELD 45: Jack Holder 8+2, Kyle Howarth © 9+1, Chris Holder 11, Josh Pickering 14+2, Tai Woffinden R/R, Jason Edwards 2, Dan Gilkes (RS) 0. Team Manager: Simon Stead

REFEREE: C. Gay