IPSWICH boss Ritchie Hawkins believes recent track experience at Poole could pay dividends in tomorrow's play-off semi-final first leg.

The Witches have been handed a trip to Wimborne Road just a week after a regular SGB Premiership encounter between the clubs.

That night, Hawkins made no changes throughout the meeting in order to give all of his riders their full time on the circuit.

They travel to face Pirates before hosting the return at Foxhall on Thursday.

Hawkins said: “We thought last week there was a good chance we were going to go to Poole and we need to make the practice we had last week pay on Monday.

“It does help having a meeting so recently at a track.

“We are taking on the reigning champions who have dominated for years, so it is a big ask.

"We are massive underdogs but we will relish it.”