IPSWICH Witches team manager Mike Smillie was never worried about his side losing last night's Sky Sports Elite League clash, although he admitted it was a tough meeting.

By Mike Bacon

IPSWICH Witches team manager Mike Smillie was never worried about his side losing last night's Sky Sports Elite League clash, although he admitted it was a tough meeting.

“We came down to earth a bit tonight, after our wins last week,” he said.

“We knew it would be hard, but I still felt we would get the bonus point during the meeting. We anticipated Leigh Adams would have a tactical ride at some time, and we planned that Mark (Loram) and Chris (Louis) could get something out of heat 13.

“I felt a bit bad taking Jan Jaros out of heat 14, but Danny King had already enjoyed a couple of paid wins and if we had got a heat advantage there, the bonus point would have been up for grabs going into the last heat.

“Jan was a bit disappointed, but I knew it was the right decision to make.”

Ipswich's Polish star Pepe Protasiewicz said: “They were very strong at the top end, and I was disappointed not to make so many points. I tried out a new engine in my last race and it was not going as well as I hoped, but we had to try it.”

Voted Witches man of the meeting, Danny King produced another paid double-figure score for the Witches after his efforts at Oxford last week.

It was a good night for the youngster and he was pleased with his efforts.

“I had a disappointing second race but it has been a good night for me and I am feeling good in myself,” he said.

“I want to make this season a good one for me and it has started well. They were strong, especially their heat leaders, but the main thing was that we won at home even though we did not get the bonus point.”