Ipswich Witches 41, Oxford Silver Machine 49: Oxford Silver Machine pulled off a breathtaking victory at Foxhall Heath last night and are now within sight of the Elite League play-offs.

The evening did not augur well for Oxford as traffic problems on the M25 and the A12 meant that by 7.30pm, Todd Wiltshire had still not arrived. Fortunately, he turned up just in time to take his opening ride.

Ipswich also had their problems, with Polish sensation Jarek Hampel forced to withdraw through injury.

Wiltshire showed that he was back to his brilliant best with an easy win in the first heat, but it was the Witches who took the early advantage in heat two.

Oxford pulled back level in the next, before edging in front after another win from Wiltshire, while Andy Smith came from the back to overtake Craig Boyce on the final lap.

After that, the Silver Machine never looked back and two points was the minimum gap for the rest of the evening.