BELLE VUE’S Ben Cook says they’re “climbing the ladder” in a challenge for the top spot in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership after a win against Ipswich last night.
The ATPI Aces only needed one point to be mathematically sure of progressing alongside the Witches, Sheffield and Leicester, but they took all three available at Foxhall to join their hosts on 34 points, along with the Lions.
The 49-41 win against a depleted Witches team has secured them the final place in the Premiership.
Cook said: “There’s no reason why we can’t challenge for top spot while we have matches still to race. We have to climb the ladder as far as we can.
“Thursday’s result is a huge boost for the team because we have struggled on the road this season and now is definitely the right time to be coming into some good form.
“Ipswich did have a depleted team, but we can only race what’s in front of us, and we have to take advantage of such circumstances, and I think it was a solid performance from everyone.”
Leading the Aces side was GP star, Dan Bewley, with 11+1 from five rides, and captain Brady Kurtz, followed up with 10+1 from four rides.
It was a difficult night for the Witches, though, with high-scoring reserve Keynan Rew crashing out of the meeting in Heat 2.
Rew is understood to have avoided serious injury.
Leading the Witches side was guest, Scott Nicholls, who racked up 15+1 from seven rides.
Captain Danny King followed with 12 points and reserve Jordan Jenkins scored 11+1.
Witches boss, Ritchie Hawkins, said: “I was really pleased with the lads and the effort they showed.
“On Monday night we folded and had no answers, but tonight, we kept fighting and it’s positive to see that going forward, showing it was a one-off on Monday.
“It was a spectacular crash for Keynan, but the early signs are quite positive that it’s nothing too serious.
“He is very sore, and we will have to see how he goes over the next few days to see if he is fit for Monday or not.”
Witches next face Birmingham Brummies on Monday, and Aces next race Sheffield Tigers on Monday, too.
Words by Freya Taylor.
Images by Taylor Lanning.