Belle Vue Aces open significant first leg advantage in Premiership play-off semi-final against Ipswich Witches

The Belle Vue Aces produced a fine night of speedway at Foxhall Stadium to take a significant advantage into the Premiership Play-Off semi-final second leg against the Ipswich Witches. The Aces have not secured league silverware since 1993 but look well placed to progress after a strong performance in Suffolk, taking the first leg 52-38. Ad Having lost Max Fricke to season-ending injuries ahead of the semi-final, Belle Vue’s deep roster showed their skill, with Matej Zagar and Brady Kurtz leading the way.

Speedway GPLambert: Medal would be 'bonus' as Brit eyes top six at SGP final showdown16 HOURS AGO The Witches had been narrowly squeezed out of top spot in the regular season table by the Sheffield Tigers, setting up a semi-final against the Aces. The hosts, powered by 15 points from 2017 World Champion Jason Doyle, had begun well, leading 14-10 after the first four heats. But the Aces rallied, fighting back to take the lead with a maximum points haul from Heat 8.

Onwards the Manchester-based outfit went, extending their advantage into double figures to close the night 14 points to the good, with guest Craig Cook performing well back in familiar colours having stepped in to aid his old team after Fricke's crash in Poland. They host the return leg at the National Speedway Stadium on Monday evening. Sheffield take on the Wolverhampton Wolves in the other semi-final next week.

The first leg will be held in the West Midlands on October 3, before the Tigers host the return leg three days later. However Sheffield were forced to postpone Thursday evening's Premiership League Cup Final against King's Lynn at Owlerton. A statement from the Sheffield Tigers said: «Following guidance from South Yorkshire Police, we have been