Ipswich Witches director of speedway Chris Louis was all smiles on Saturday night.

East Anglian Daily Times: Nico Covatti leading Josh Grajczonek on opening night at Foxhall back in March. Photo: STEVE WALLERNico Covatti leading Josh Grajczonek on opening night at Foxhall back in March. Photo: STEVE WALLER (Image: � Stephen Waller)

He had just watched his new-look side beat Sheffield Tigers by an impressive 11 points in the Championship – and all without one of their key men.

Kyle Newman was ruled out of the Suffolk side’s opener after crashing in an individual meeting at Poole on Friday night.

The Witches would therefore have to go into the clash against a fancied Tigers team understrength – but they rose to the challenge.

“As opening night meetings go, it was very good,” Louis said.

“Kyle is a key rider for us this season and it was not good news to hear of his injury. It’s an old shoulder injury he has aggravated.

“Sheffield are play-off potential, they have a very good team, so for us to do what we have done tonight is fantastic. I’m very happy.”

While Louis couldn’t hide his delight, another rider who had a big beam on his face was reserve Danyon Hume.

Hume won the man-of-the-meeting award after a paid nine points, which included two wins.

Quick from the start, Hume showed all his potential and why Louis rates him so highly.

“That must be the best meeting of my career so far,” Hume said.

“For Ipswich that is my best, definitely.

“I felt relaxed throughout, arrived early, got myself ready. It all went just so good, I can’t wait for Thursday to come round when we are at home again.”

Hume was indeed one of the home stars but quite honestly every Witch did their all.

“A win is a win, that’s good and just what we wanted,” Rory Schlein, who notched an impressive 13 points, admitted after the meeting.

“We were all a bit concerned with the news that Kyle wouldn’t be here – it being the first one of the season and all that.

“But the boys were great.

“We haven’t paid any attention to all the hype about us being favourites for the league. That’s for other people to say. We just want to go racing.”

British Champion Danny King roared to a 15-point maximum, while Schlein equalled King’s track record in heat 11.

There was a huge crowd in attendance too, the East Anglian public getting behind their speedway team.

Early days of course, but the signs are very encouraging.