IPSWICH Witches captain Chris Louis received an 11th hour call up to race for Great Britain in the World Cup Final at Reading on Saturday night.But the Foxhall Heath skipper couldn't impress as Denmark ran out deserved victors after a thrilling night's speedway at Smallmead Stadium.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches captain Chris Louis received an 11th hour call up to race for Great Britain in the World Cup Final at Reading on Saturday night.

But the Foxhall Heath skipper couldn't impress as Denmark ran out deserved victors after a thrilling night's speedway at Smallmead Stadium.

Louis had been touted by many to be included in the side from the off, but he had to wait until the final to make an appearance - Simon Stead being the man to make way for him.

It was too big an ask for the former World Under-21 champion, however, and Louis, like most of his team-mates, struggled from the starts, although he battled from the back on two occasions on his way to three points from four rides.

Great Britain started off badly and were soon adrift, but they battled back bravely and, after Australian's Jason Crump fell in the final race trying to pass Denmark's Hans Andersen, Great Britain were gifted third place overall, Sweden were second.

But it was Denmark's night, with Andersen and Nicki Pedersen leading them through the early stages, the pair dropping a single point between them from their first three rides.

There was, however, huge controversy when Andersen was excluded from heat 18 after being adjudged as the cause of a fall for Britain's Chris Harris.

The Danish camp protested vehemently but the decision stood, and that gave Australia in particular fresh hope.

But they too were denied by an exclusion light as Travis McGowan was thrown out of heat 21 after contact on the first bend with Antonio Lindback caused him to fall.

Denmark had the meeting sewn up in heat 24 after Bjarne Pedersen gained the necessary points.

Along with Louis, the Witches were also represented by Mark Loram in the GB side and he managed seven points while GB skipper, Ipswich-born Scott Nicholls was the star of the show for the home nation.

He was maginficent throughout and led the team wonderfully well.

“It was a great night of speedway, we really wanted to win it but we made a bad start to the meeting and then rode our socks off to get back in. The team should be proud of their efforts,” Nicholls said.