LEICESTER are set to fight it out with Ipswich for the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership title with the Grand Final getting underway at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Monday (7.30pm).
The Watling JCB Lions have made it to the league title decider for the second year in succession, and after missing out to Belle Vue in 2024, this is another opportunity for them to secure the sport’s top team trophy.
It has already been a successful campaign with the Lions winning the KO Cup back in July, and their dreams are now of completing the Double.
They overcame Sheffield in an epic semi-final a fortnight ago which went right down to the wire with Leicester winning by a single point on aggregate thanks to a superb Heat 15 ride from skipper Max Fricke.
Ipswich had a more straightforward passage to this stage as they raced to an easy home win over Belle Vue having overturned a narrow six-point deficit from the home leg.
The Witches were the clear title favourites at the start of the season, as they look for a first league title since 1998, but in fact Ipswich and Leicester finished the regular campaign separated by just one point in the league table.
And with both teams having won at each other’s tracks this season, there’s plenty of potential for this to be a dramatic Final – especially bearing in mind the fact that the Lions beat the Witches at the semi-final stage last year.
This season the Witches were 49-41 winners at Beaumont Park in April before the Lions reversed that scoreline in a terrific match in August, securing the win with a 5-1 in the last race from Fricke and Ryan Douglas.
Leicester manager Stewart Dickson names an unchanged side following the triumph over Sheffield, whilst Ipswich are also at full strength but have elected to move former Leicester star Jason Doyle back to the No.5 position.
Another ex-Lions rider Dan Thompson is back at reserve in October and his battles with Drew Kemp, who played a crucial role in the semi-final, could have a major impact on the tie as a whole.
Dickson said: “I said after we lost the Final last year it would be nice to try and get back into another one, which we’ve done, but we know it’s not going to be easy.
“There’s an old saying that we’re just glad to be in the Final, and whilst so much of that is true, there’s a big part of us, and that’s the whole club, that wants to go one step further.
“I’m under no illusions about how difficult it will be, and previous results against Ipswich don’t count for anything really. We start again on Monday, and we have every chance of getting a lead to take down there.
“We are going to need a lead, but I wouldn’t put any figure on that because any sort of lead puts pressure on the team who are behind going into the second leg.
“As ever we’re looking for consistency and for all seven riders to do their job. If we get that, then we definitely have a chance, and we can’t wait for the Final to get underway.
“I’m sure the fans will be out in force, and I’d just say please give the riders every bit of support, it makes such a difference, and hopefully we can have another night to remember.”
Other key info for Monday:
Normal admission prices apply, with an extended souvenir Grand Final programme available for £5.
Leicester are pleased to welcome the larger-than-life Ian ‘Porky’ Jones to join our presentation team for the meeting, alongside Rob and Tom Sensicall.
With a big crowd expected, please arrive in good time to secure your preferred viewing spot.
Supporters should note that no cans and bottles are allowed in the stadium, and the catering outlets operate on cash only.
And finally, please bring your air horns and make plenty of noise!
LEICESTER: Max Fricke, Luke Becker, Ryan Douglas, Kyle Howarth, Sam Masters, Drew Kemp, Joe Thompson.
IPSWICH: Emil Sayfutdinov, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Adam Ellis, Jason Doyle, Dan Thompson, Jason Edwards.
