Sports Channel Exclusive: The 27-Year Wait is Over! Ipswich Witches are Premiership Champions
The drought is officially broken! After 27 long years, the Ipswich Witches are once again the champions of British speedway. The air at Foxhall was electric as the Witches defeated the Leicester Lions in a nail-biting Premiership play-off final second leg, winning 46-43 on the night for a 93-86 aggregate victory. This triumph marks the club’s 11th major trophy and, more importantly, its first top-tier league title since 1998. The emotion, the noise, and the sheer relief were palpable.
An Emotional Victory for the Boss
Witches team boss Ritchie Hawkins was understandably "overwhelmed" by the moment. This championship is the culmination of a decade of blood, sweat, and effort since he took over the reins.
"It’s been so many years coming, it was a tough night," Hawkins told BBC Radio Suffolk. His journey with the club is a true underdog story. He remembers a time just six weeks after becoming manager when the team was at the bottom of the second division. Just three years later, they were at the top of the top division—a fantastic achievement—but it took another seven or eight years to finally lift the trophy.
The pressure at Foxhall is immense, driven by what Hawkins proudly calls "the best crowds in the country." Winning the first leg away at Leicester, 47-43, was crucial in managing the home expectation, helping to “take the pressure off a little bit” before the decisive showdown. This entire narrative of persistence and rising from the bottom is exactly the kind of passion we cover on the Sports Channel.
Grit and Determination on the Track
The second leg at Foxhall was a ferocious contest, right down to the final heat. Leicester, known for riding the Ipswich track well, pushed the Witches hard. With a narrow four-point lead from the first leg, every single point mattered, especially with Adam Ellis out injured following a crash in the away leg.
Former world champion Jason Doyle stepped up to top score with 10 points, leading the team’s charge. Keynan Rew came in as a guest rider for the injured Ellis and delivered a solid 7+1. Meanwhile, Emil Sayfutdinov continued his crucial form, adding 9+2 to his 11-point haul from the first leg.
Despite the Lions challenging hard, even seemingly outgating the home side on occasion, the Witches held their nerve. The whole team's fighting spirit meant the tie wasn't sealed until the 15th and final heat, capping a magnificent Premiership season.
The Captain’s Long Wait
For captain Danny King, this victory means everything. Having been with the Witches since he was just 16 years old, he knows the club and the fans better than anyone.
"I’ve waited so long for this," King admitted. "We've been close a few times, we’ve made finals but always fallen short." This finally "ticks a lot of boxes" for the long-serving captain.
He praised the team’s resilience against a powerful Leicester side. "We didn't give up, we just kept fighting all the way and got the result we deserved." For King, achieving this title with his "home club" and seeing the sheer joy and emotion on the fans’ faces was "amazing"—a truly special moment in British speedway.
A Town Remembers 1998
The momentous occasion drew a spectacular crowd, which included the town’s mayor, Stefan Long. The mayor's presence added a unique historical touch, as he had also been in attendance when the Witches won the title back in 1998, albeit as a nine-year-old.
"I haven’t seen a crowd like this in a long time," Mayor Long remarked, noting the nervous energy and the ultimate satisfaction of the win. The victory brought back "memories flooding back of 1998," and seeing the powerful emotion in the eyes of the team and the club's leadership made the evening "one of the highlights of my year for sure."
Club promoter Chris Louis, who rode in that last championship-winning team 27 years ago, echoed the sentiment of a tough but ultimately rewarding journey. He spoke of the “blood, sweat and tears” that went into getting back to this level.
Louis praised the team’s mental fortitude. "We made very hard work of it but I always had faith that they would have the grit to do it in the end."
From the historic 1950 foundation to the modern-day triumph powered by stars like Doyle and Sayfutdinov, this championship solidifies Ipswich Witches' status as a storied name in British speedway. This story is a testament to perseverance and passion, the kind of legendary effort that will be talked about for years on every major Sports Channel broadcast. For one night, the Witches made history, and the entire town celebrated a long-overdue victory. You can bet that the full replay and analysis will be a major feature on the Sports Channel network!
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