Witches are no longer a team to fear for Panthers

There was once a time where an East Anglian derby trip to Ipswich would strike fear into Panthers’ riders and supporters alike.

But those days are clearly long gone after the city club triumphed on Suffolk shale for the second time in 2018.

Their previous visit to Foxhall back in March resulted in SGB Championship Shield success and they made a stunning return last Thursday to claim a league victory which has all but earned a play-off spot.

Panthers were boosted by heroic performances at opposite ends of their line-up. Reserve rider Tom Bacon continued to come of age with a brilliant 14-point haul while number one Scott Nicholls piled up 13+1 at one of his old stomping grounds.

They took control early on to roar into a 10-point lead after just four races thanks to a Bacon inspired 4-2 in heat two being followed by backto-back 5-1s.

Nicholls and Bradley Wilson-Dean did the honours in the next contest before Bacon and guest Paul Starke teamed up to great effect in heat four to stun the Suffolk faithful into silence.

Ipswich were gifted a 4-2 in heat six when Starke suffered bike trouble late on the final lap and he again had mechanical issues in the next race when a Wilson-Dean victory at least earned a 3-3.

Reserve Cory Garcia’s success gained another 4-2 for Ipswich in heat eight as Panthers’ advantage was cut to six points, but Bacon and Wilson-Dean slammed in another 5-1 in heat 10 to steady the ship.

Ipswich, without their top two riders Rory Schlein and Danny King as well as chosen guest Adam Ellis due to injuries, weren’t about to roll over.

Impressive home reserve Garcia beat Nicholls in a 4-2 in the next race before Ipswich claimed a 5-1 in heat 13 after the Panthers number one touched the tapes at the start.

Panthers then had Wilson-Dean controversially excluded following a big heat 14 spill which almost everyone – except for referee Margaret Vardy – felt had been caused by Witches man Mark Riss.

Bacon complete a fine solo mission in the re-run to leave Panthers on the brink of a victory secured in style by a 5-1 from Nicholls and Starke in the finale.