IPSWICH Evening Star Witches' appeal against Swindon using an ineligible rider is unlikely to be heard until after the Elite League play-off cut-off date tomorrow week.

Elvin King

IPSWICH Evening Star Witches' appeal against Swindon using an ineligible rider is unlikely to be heard until after the Elite League play-off cut-off date tomorrow week.

The Witches are now four points behind the Wiltshire-based side with two meetings in hand.

The Robins have one meeting left, and it could go down to the wire - with Ipswich preferring to finish above Swindon in third place to give them a likely play-off, semi-final tie at a weakened second-place Lakeside rather than in-form table-toppers Poole.

Graham Reeve, who is supremo at the Speedway Control Bureau, is going on holiday for 10 days from tomorrow.

And without his presence a hearing before the governing body the ACU is unlikely to take place.

Reeve said: “I can confirm that Ipswich's appeal against the ruling of the SCB that Swindon were right in using Joel Parsons in their A league fixture at Foxhall Stadium has been received.

“It was passed to the ACU, but I have heard nothing from them. I am waiting to hear when the hearing will be. Then the matter will proceed.”

A furious Ipswich promoter John Louis blasted: “Our solicitor has been asking the ACU every week when the hearing will be. We have been on and on at them.

“I am not accusing anybody of any underhand doings, but in my opinion this cannot be right.

“It gives me the feeling that the authorities want the season to be over before they do anything else.”

Parsons scored nine points and Swindon won by nine points, so if Ipswich win the case - as many think they will as Parsons' average was blatantly too high - the result would be switched to a draw.

This would mean Swindon losing two points and Ipswich gaining one, and put Ipswich just one behind them as things stand today. The decision might mean whether Ipswich win the league title this year or not.

Piotr Swiderski's magnificent maximum lead Ipswich to their fifth away Elite League win of the season at Monmore Green on Monday night with Witches rider manager Chris Louis singing the Polish rider's praises.

“Piotr's form has been a surprise to many, but not to Piotr,” said Louis.

“He has made a marked improvement since joining us, but he was telling us he would last winter.

“He was telling us he would achieve what he has, and his progress has been remarkable.”

Team manager Pete Simmons added: “If we have a full team and they are all firing we can get through to reach the final of the play-offs.

“We showed on Monday what we are capable of away from home with everybody firing. And a repeat next Monday will give us every chance of winning at Peterborough as well.”

Tobi Kroner should be back in the side and is continuing to have extensive treatment on a broken finger on his left hand.