Broken arm for Chris Louis in horror crash

Ipswich Witches will be without captain Chris Louis for several weeks after he broke an arm and dislocated a shoulder during the win over Eastbourne.

Witches team manager Pete Simmons told BBC Radio Suffolk: "We've got a win under our belts but we didn't need to lose Chris at this time."

Piotr Swiderski, Jarek Hampel and Tobi Kroner all scored double figures as the Witches beat Eastbourne 51-39.

It was the Witches' first Elite League win of the season.

For once Ipswich were able to hold on after taking an early lead.

They were 10 points in front after just four heats, helped by a 5-0 win in heat three as both Eastbourne riders crashed out on the first bend.

Louis crashed out in heat five, causing a long delay as the paramedics treated him.

I think the change of riding order made a difference despite losing Chris Pete Simmons

Simmons said: "There was nothing that Chris could do about the crash. He took evasive action as Lewis Bridger fell, just missed the tractor, but came down very heavily."

Whereas in previous matches the Witches had let big leads slip, they managed to keep their heads in front, despite the efforts of Eastbourne's Scott Nicholls, Lee Richardson and Edward Kennett who won seven heats between them.

Simmons was pleased with the Witches' display: "I think the change of riding order made a difference despite losing Chris. We'll keep this order until the new averages come into force.

"We can use a guest as Chris is number one and we will have to pick and choose according to where we are riding."

Louis faces an operation to repair the damage, but it will be a while before he is back on track.