Lakeside 5 Ipswich 1(abandoned after one heat)TORRENTIAL rain as the riders crossed the finishing line in the opening heat proved terminal with the meeting formally abandoned about 70 minutes later despite gallant efforts of the track staff to make the circuit raceable.

Lakeside 5 Ipswich 1

(abandoned after one heat)

TORRENTIAL rain as the riders crossed the finishing line in the opening heat proved terminal with the meeting formally abandoned about 70 minutes later despite gallant efforts of the track staff to make the circuit raceable.

Jon Cook, the Lakeside co-promoter announced the postponement decision, explaining: “My sincere apologies to everyone who has waited so patiently, but the referee and both captains have decided unanimously that the track is unfit and racing should not take place. The riders safety is of paramount importance and there is no option but to call off proceedings.”

A restaging date has been scheduled for two weeks' time on Friday September 11 with an 8pm start.

There had been a setback pre-meeting for the visitors when Robert Miskowiak was forced to pull out of this Elite League B fixture after complaining of feeling unwell, so the Witches utilised the rider replacement facility to cover his rides while introducing 17-year-old King's Lynn sensation Darcy Ward in place of Tobias Kroner at number two in the line-up, with Josh Auty at reserve.

The Witches two previous visits to the Arena-Essex Raceway this season had resulted in 66-24 and 53-39 defeats and with the home side seeking a hat-trick of victories and match points to enhance their claims for a play-off place, the home pairing flew from the gate in the opening heat to forge a comfortable advantage, leaving Ward and Scott Nicholls to battle it out for the minor honours.

However, the precocious Australian lifted exiting the pits turn on the second lap, although the red lights were only illuminated as leader Lee Richardson crossed the line to begin the third lap and referee Phil Griffin excluded Ward with the race being awarded.

With that, the heavens opened with the torrential downpour flooding the track to put the meeting in doubt even at that early stage, although the track staff immediately got to work once the rain had ceased.

However, to add to the frustrations, there was a further shower to hinder mopping-up operations. Undaunted, hopes of salvaging the meeting continued as blading of the soggy circuit commenced with shale spread liberally over the circuit.

However, all the efforts proved in vain with the downpour having taken its toll.