SKIPPER Simon Stead put in a superb individual performance but could not prevent Sheffield suffering a 59-34 defeat at Ipswich.
Star man Stead reeled off four straight wins in his final four rides including a tactical ride triumph in heat 11 to bag 16 points from the No.1 spot.
But he received little support as the Window Centre Tigers were well-beaten and left Foxhall empty handed.
They lost Jason Garrity after just two rides due to the injury which saw him miss Sunday’s meeting at Glasgow.
And team manager Eric Boocock admitted it was a below-par performance from his side – although he was keen to praise the efforts of Stead.
“We were looking for a lot better, and it was very disappointing,” said Boocock.
“Unfortunately we seemed very disjointed, and Garrity pulling out after two rides meant we were down to six riders early on.
“All we can say is thank goodness for Simon Stead, who only dropped two points all night and rode excellently after his first ride.”
Nathan Greaves recorded an excellent heat two win with an encouraging performance at reserve, whilst Kyle Howarth also took the chequered flag in heat 12.
Yet Josh Bates and Dimitri Berge both failed to defeat an opposing rider whilst Arthur Sissis struggled to make an impact as the visitors ran 13 last places.
The result moves the seventh-placed Witches within four points of Sheffield in the Premier League table, meaning the Owlerton outfit still have work to do in order to secure their play-off place.
They will now be looking to bounce back as they head to Somerset for the first leg of their League Cup semi-final tie on Friday (7.30)
IPSWICH 59: Danny King 11, Morten Risager 10+3, Ben Barker 9+3, Nico Covatti 9+1, Joe Jacobs 8+2, James Sarjeant 6+2, Danyon Hume 6
SHEFFIELD 34: Simon Stead 16, Kyle Howarth 7, Nathan Greaves 6, Jason Garrity 2, Arthur Sissis 2, Josh Bates 1, Dimitri Berge 0 Premier League points: Ipswich 3 Sheffield 0
