Ipswich Witches are likely to face North section leaders Workington in the semi-final of the League Cup after a dismal display at Rye House Rockets yesterday.

The Witches needed to win by seven or more points to gain a maximum four points and give themselves a chance of finishing top of the Southern section, ahead of their final clash at Plymouth on June 29th, and ride against the second-placed team in the Northern division

However, machine problems and rider falls contributed to a meeting to forget for Ipswich who succumbed to three 5-1 maximums in the last three heats, to lose 53-36.

The Witches had already qualified for the semi-final with Rye House too many points behind in third, but struggled on a tough surface.

Mat Tresarrieu, twice fell, although was able to restart heat six in which he eventually finished last and also suffered machine problems, as did Dakota North. Guest rider Daniel Halsey also fell on a poor day for the Mildenhall man.

“Rye House had some rain this morning and a little bit before the start but the conditions were same for both teams, the track was very dusty, slick and grippy,” said team manager Pete Simmons.

“We were carrying three riders and that ultimately cost us any chance of getting anything.

“Matt (Tresarrieu) tangled a couple of times but he put the effort in to be fair.

“The lads now have three or four days to get this result out of their systems and put in a good performance against Redcar, at home of Friday.”

Cameron Heeps, who has missed the last two meetings with a shoulder injury, should return for the Premier League encounter.