IPSWICH Evening Star Witches No.8 Chris Schramm makes his debut for the Suffolk side tonight against Poole Pirates Schramm replaces Zibi Suchecki, who has been recalled by his Polish club Zielona Gora to ride in the European Championship Polish Final at Tarnow and although this will annoy Witches fans, it does give Schramm a chance to show his mettle.

By Elvin King

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches No.8 Chris Schramm makes his debut for the Suffolk side tonight against Poole Pirates

Schramm replaces Zibi Suchecki, who has been recalled by his Polish club Zielona Gora to ride in the European Championship Polish Final at Tarnow and although this will annoy Witches fans, it does give Schramm a chance to show his mettle.

The 22-year-old Newport rider, who ranks Chris Louis and Mark Loram as two of his favourite all-time riders, gets his chance and will have to notch-up some points if the Witches are to gain victory.

Indeed, the Evening Star Witches will be keen to continue the form that saw them gain an aggregate victory over Oxford in the Knockout Cup last week and the meeting has the makings of an exciting evening.

When the two sides met in Dorset three weeks ago, the Pirates scored a comprehensive 58-34 victory, but while the bonus point may be out of reach, the Witches won't want to drop any more Elite League points after a home defeat to Reading and draw with Lakeside.

World champion Jason Crump leads the Pirates with another Grand Prix rider Bjarne Pedersen captaining the side at No.3. As a pair they have already won their first silverware of the season, having taking the Elite League Pairs crown at King's Lynn recently.

Despite the strength of their top two riders, Poole have yet to hit a winning run of form this season, losing all their away meetings in the Elite League so far.

While Crump and Pedersen have scored handsomely, the Pirates are still looking to add the required depth to their obvious strengths and Craig Watson drops down to reserve with Troy Batchelor moving to No.2.

Edward Kennett suffered a fall in the Poole victory over Reading last night and injured his arm. He will make a late decision on whether he will ride at Foxhall or not.

For the Witches, coming in as a guest for the injured Loram, is David Norris once more.

Norris put in a memorable performance for the Witches at Oxford in the Knockout Cup, where he scored 13 points and he is set to guest again for the club at Reading tomorrow.

Tonight's teams

Ipswich: 1 David Norris, 2 Kim Jansson, 3 Chris Louis, 4 Marcin Rempala, 5 Robert Miskowiak, 6 Chris Schramm, 7 Tobi Kroner.

Poole: 1 Jason Crump, 2 Troy Batchelor, 3 Bjarne Pedersen, 4 Edward Kennett, 5 Craig Boyce, 6 Craig Watson, 7 Piotr Swist.