LEICESTER pulled off the result of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership season so far with a stunning 47-43 win at Ipswich on Thursday.
The Watling JCB Lions consolidated their place in the top four with a third victory on the road, coming out on top at a Foxhall venue which has been a huge stronghold for the Witches in 2025.
A terrific team performance underpinned the result with Luke Becker leading the way with paid-13 and Drew Kemp putting in a big performance at reserve, and it was Becker and captain Max Fricke who got the Lions over the line in Heat 15.
The victory was also achieved in the absence of regular team manager Stewart Dickson who was unable to make the trip due to dental issues, with co-promoter Jen Crossland stepping in to steer the Lions to success.
They did it from a six-point deficit as the Witches started strongly in their first home match without Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson, both of whom were injured last weekend.
Becker won Heat 1 with Fricke pegged at the back, and there was some misfortune in Heat 2 when Lions looked to have gated on a 5-1 only for Joe Thompson to come to grief on the third bend.
Ipswich took a 4-2 in the re-run and then added a 5-1 in Heat 3 as Adam Ellis came from the back against Kyle Howarth and Ryan Douglas, and that appeared to give them early control.
But after a shared Heat 4 won by Emil Sayfutdinov, Lions came roaring back with a 5-1 from Fricke and Becker over Ellis and Tom Brennan in Heat 5 to narrow the gap to two points.
Masters controlled Heat 6 with a win and Lions levelled in the next, although they had to be content with a 4-2 from Douglas and Howarth after they had initially held a 5-1 position over Sayfutdinov before Danyon Hume came to grief and the race was re-run.
Becker defeated Danny King and Jordan Jenkins in Heat 8 to keep the scores all square, and Leicester then edged ahead with a brilliant Heat 9 ride from Kemp to defeat Ellis with Masters taking third place.
A tense contest continued with a run of shared races, all won by Ipswich riders, as Howarth and Douglas packed in behind King in Heat 10, Becker and Fricke cleared a faster-starting Hume in Heat 11 and Kemp and Douglas managed to relegate Jenkins to the back of Heat 12.
But in Heat 13, so often a source of major points for the Witches, it was Fricke who took control with King just getting ahead of Masters, who held Sayfutdinov back for a 4-2 to extend the margin to four points.
Lions could have wrapped it up in Heat 14 but instead they found themselves fighting a rearguard action as Ipswich threatened a 5-1 only for Howarth to come up with a great effort to pass both Hume and Brennan for the win.
That meant anything another than an Ipswich 5-1 in Heat 15 would do the job for Leicester, and whilst Sayfutdinov this time hit the front for the home side, Becker and Fricke did just what was needed to keep King at the back and confirm the away win.
Crossland said: “I don’t know what to say really, I’m still in shock! Stewart has been there all night helping me and I’ve gone back to him for advice, but as Stewart always says, go with your gut.
“I have to say I didn’t think anybody would come here this year and beat Ipswich, so I’m super proud of all the riders, they’ve all ridden their hearts out tonight.
“It was a great team performance and they stuck in together when we needed to, and we got the job done in Heat 15 – and that’s the one I definitely couldn’t watch!
“Luke in the first few races was absolutely phenomenal, Drew at reserve as well, and I can’t fault any of them for their effort and attitude. Everything about it was amazing.
“It’s a shame for Ipswich to be without Jason and Dan, and Dan in particular will be a hard one to cover if he’s out for a while. I do hope they can get back soon, but onwards and upwards for Leicester!”
Lions are back in action on a huge Bank Holiday Monday as they welcome Birmingham to the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park (midday start) before heading to new league leaders Sheffield – who won a Super Heat at Oxford on Thursday – at 6.30pm.
IPSWICH 43: Emil Sayfutdinov 12+1, Danny King 10+1, Adam Ellis 9+1, Tom Brennan 6, Jordan Jenkins 4+1, Danyon Hume 2+1, Jason Doyle r/r.
LEICESTER 47: Luke Becker 12+1, Drew Kemp 9, Max Fricke 8+2, Kyle Howarth 7, Sam Masters 6+1, Ryan Douglas 5+2, Joe Thompson 0.
Ipswich win the aggregate point
Photo credit: JEFF HIGGOTT
