LEICESTER boss Jen Crossland said her side had “ridden their hearts out” after a shock win that knocked Ipswich off the top of the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership table.
The 47-43 win was an impressive showing from the Lions at fortress Foxhall Heath.
Leicester also achieved their result despite losing regular team manager, Stewart Dickson, with illness.
Crossland stepped in and said: “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.”
Reserve and past Witches rider, Drew Kemp, played an important role, gaining nine points for the Lions.
Kyle Howarth came from the back to win Heat 14, and Luke Becker and Max Fricke secured a share of the points in the last heat decider to complete a four-point victory.
For the Witches, the absences of Jason Doyle and Dan Thompson due to injury were felt.
Emil Sayfutdinov scored 12+1 points from six rides, with skipper, Danny King, picking up 10+1.
Ipswich boss Ritchie Hawkins said: “I know we were weakened, but it was our worst home performance of the season against a very good team who rode well.
“They were better than us and deserved the victory, but we have got to look ahead at what is to come and write it off because we are still in a great position in the league, and we have a massive meeting in the Cup semi-final up next.
“It doesn’t feel like a positive right now, but we picked up the aggregate point.
“I know there was a lot of talk at the start of the season of us going unbeaten all season but that was never realistic in our heads.
“But I do feel if we could go the whole season not being beaten on aggregate, that would be amazing, and it is something I would like to achieve.”
Words by Freya Taylor.
Images by Taylor Lanning.