Ipswich Witches entertain Sheffield this evening at Foxhall Stadium in the Premiership. MIKE BACON covers the talking points.

Stowmarket Mercury: Dan Bewley ahead of Danny King, but it was the Witches skipper who came through for the win. Home form is crucial for any side this season.Dan Bewley ahead of Danny King, but it was the Witches skipper who came through for the win. Home form is crucial for any side this season. (Image: Steve Waller)

HOME FORM CRUCIAL

The Witches have made a solid start to the new Premiership season with a win at King's Lynn and a draw at home to one of the title favourites, Belle Vue.

And Sheffield will provide as tough an opposition as the Aces did last week.

Winning your home meetings will be crucial in this season's shortened fixture list before the play-offs kick in.

Stowmarket Mercury: Team manager Ritchie Hawkins, right, alongside Jake Allen. Hawkins knows it will be another tough test for Ipswich against Sheffield tonight.Team manager Ritchie Hawkins, right, alongside Jake Allen. Hawkins knows it will be another tough test for Ipswich against Sheffield tonight. (Image: Steve Waller)

HAWKINS SAYS...

Witches boss Ritchie Hawkins had this to say ahead of tonight's clash: “Sheffield bring a very strong team and they must be pre-season favourites for the title.

"I’m sure they will fancy their chances of getting a result but the way we have performed over the first two meetings shows we are more than capable of taking the win and causing an upset."

Stowmarket Mercury: Top talent, former Witch Adam Ellis.Top talent, former Witch Adam Ellis. (Image: 07836 386169 hippopix@blueyonder.co.uk)

TIGERS TO WATCH

Sheffield will be without one of their top guns, Jack Holder tonight. He's riding in a re-arranged Polish clash.

However, they still possess some top talent, none more so than former GP ace Troy Batchelor and former Witch Adam Ellis. Both riders won the Premiership title with Swindon in 2019, when they beat the Witches.

FORMER Ipswich Town keeper helping Witches youngsters

Sheffield team boss Simon Stead knows their value: “Those two come into the Sheffield team as winners and we hope they can continue that with us,” Stead said.

“That sort of winning mentality and experiences can prove invaluable over the course of the season and I expect them both to have very good seasons for Sheffield."

Stowmarket Mercury: Anders Rowe, right, with skipper Danny King. Young Rowe has started the season in great form.Anders Rowe, right, with skipper Danny King. Young Rowe has started the season in great form. (Image: Steve Waller)

ANDERS FLYING

The early season form of reserve Anders Rowe has been a revelation for the Witches. He's top-scored in both opening meetings for the Suffolk side.

The youngster has gated like a rocket and looked good out track. More please....

Also, could this be the week Witches fans cast their first eye on Jordan Stewart? The young Aussie was in great form Down Under last winter and can't wait to get going here. But so far, visa issues continue to hamper his availability. He's down to ride at No.2 tonight.

Stowmarket Mercury: Witches number one and three-time world champion, Jason CrumpWitches number one and three-time world champion, Jason Crump (Image: Steve Waller)

TEAMS
Ipswich: 1. Jason Crump 8.00 2. Jordan Stewart 4.00 3. Cameron Heeps 6.30 4. Jake Allen 5.56 5. Danny King 6.66 © 6. Anders Rowe 3.00 7. Drew Kemp (RS). Team Manager: Ritchie Hawkins
Sheffield: 1. Troy Batchelor 8.82 2. R/R for Jack Holder 7.49 3. Kyle Howarth 5.58 © 4. Justin Sedgmen 4.00 5. Adam Ellis 6.33 6. James Wright 3.00 7. Josh Bates (RS). Team Manager: Simon Stead

TICKETS
Tickets are available to buy online on the Witches official site (until 12pm today) and on the gate and are priced at £19 for adults, £17 for concessions (65+), £5 for students (16-17). Children 15 and under go free.

DID YOU KNOW?
The track record at Sheffield's Owlerton Stadium has been held by Ricky Ashworth for more than ten years. It was established on October 14, 2010 and is 59.1 seconds.