The tapes go up on the new speedway season at Foxhall Stadium tonight (7.30pm) when 1998 treble winners Ipswich Witches take on the Oxford Cheetahs in a Craven Shield encounter.

After the effects of the Elite League winter points limit reduction there is sure to be apprehension in the Witches camp as to how their new look side will fair, although despite losing World Champion Tony Rickardsson they still have a solid look about them.

"We have assembled a side which should prove exciting for our fans to support and hopefully we can carry on from our success last year," said co-promoter Magda Louis.

"Certainly I doubt that we will be as dominant and it is always difficult when you have to lose riders, but the points limit is there for the good of the sport and we accept that."

With the Craven Shield competition now being run on a separate league basis with the top four teams taking part in the end of season play offs, the Witches will want to get off to a flying start against Oxford.

A few days ago it looked unlikely that the Cheetahs would be able to field a full strength side as promoter Steve Purchase was having problems tracking down all of his Australian riders, however all have now confirmed that they will be present in what looks to be a well balanced side.

Winter capture Craig Boyce always enjoys his visits to Foxhall, as does former Witch Steve Johnston who is fondly remembered on the Foxhall terraces for his commitment during the 1997 season.

Also in their line up at reserve is Ipswich based rider Lawrence Hare who was a target for the Witches last month before they signed Jason Bunyan.

Ipswich: Chris Louis, Savalas Clouting, Toni Svab, Ben Howe, Tomasz Gollob, Jason Bunyan, Brett Woodfield.

Oxford: Todd Wiltshire, Jan Staechmann, Steve Johnston, Paul Hurry, Craig Boyce, Lawrence Hare, Alan Rossiter.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.