SAYFUTDINOV STARS AS WITCHES RACK UP 18-POINT LEAD OVER ACES

World No.3 Emil Sayfutdinov delivered a starting masterclass on his way to 14 points as Ipswich put one foot in the Sports Insure Premiership Grand Final.

The former Speedway GP star impressed in Witches’ 54-36 home win over Belle Vue in their play-off semi-final, first leg on Thursday.

Despite being without Aussie ace Jason Doyle due to injury, Great Britain racer Chris Harris put in a star guest performance on 10 paid 13, with former British champion Danny King adding 10 paid 11. FIM SGP2 star Keynan Rew collected nine paid 11.

Former Aussie champion Brady Kurtz was the only Aces star to beat Sayfutdinov over five rides. He led the Belle Vue score chart on 10, with GB rider Tom Brennan adding eight paid nine and former World Under-21 champion Jaimon Lidsey registering a straight eight. Speedway GP rider Dan Bewley scored five at Foxhall.

The second leg takes place at Manchester’s National Speedway Stadium on Monday, with Wolverhampton hosting Sheffield in the first leg of the other semi-final tie on the same night.