FURIOUS Ipswich Witches promoter John Louis has told his riders in no uncertain terms that they are riding for their 2007 contracts.Louis was left, as most Witches' fans were, deflated and shocked at Ipswich's capitulation at Swindon on Monday, that saw the Suffolk side concede two 5-1 maximums in the final two races, and a 19-point overall lead.

By Mike Bacon

FURIOUS Ipswich Witches promoter John Louis has told his riders in no uncertain terms that they are riding for their 2007 contracts.

Louis was left, as most Witches' fans were, deflated and shocked at Ipswich's capitulation at Swindon on Monday, that saw the Suffolk side concede two 5-1 maximums in the final two races, and a 19-point overall lead.

“To say I was disappointed with the lads' performance is an understatement,” Louis said last night.

“Only Mark Loram escapes any form of criticism. He rode his socks off for the club on Monday, which is not something I can say about many of the others.

“Sure, Swindon is a difficult track to master and it was bumpy, but we had a 19-point lead for goodness' sake. I didn't expect us to win there, but the bonus point was the least I expected.

“I don't know whether some of the team think the season is drawing to a close, but it isn't as far as I'm concerned. Certainly there are a few riders riding for their 2007 contracts.”

What made matters worse for the Witches was that their debacle of a performance was played out in front of millions on television.

It hardly buoys fans and sponsors with confidence but the team can undo a few of the harms created after Monday's defeat, with two stirring performances, at Poole tonight and at home to Coventry tomorrow.

“Our away form hasn't been good all season and I suppose something like the Swindon result was coming,” Louis added.

“Riding at Poole is not going to be very easy, either. It is another track we don't seem to go well on, but I am hoping for a bit of a reaction if nothing else.”

The Witches, however, could be facing even more injury worries. Hard on the heels of Chris Louis suffering a broken collar-bone, the Witches could be without Kim Jansson tonight.

He banged his head at Swindon and pulled out of his last ride complaining of dizziness. If he doesn't make it tonight, the Witches will use a guest.

Carl Wilkinson replaces Daniel King, who is on his way to the world under-21 final in Italy.

Poole meanwhile are hardly pulling up any trees themselves. Indeed if the Dorset club lose tonight, it will equal their record run of defeats, having previously lost eight on the trot in 1982, 1998 and 2005.

Tonight's teams

Poole: B Pedersen, C Boyce, G Walasek, K Kasprzak, A Lindback, J Davidson, M Wethers

Ipswich: P Protasieiwcz, K Jansson/guest, R Miskowiak, R/R, M Loram, C Wilkinson, T Kroner.