HAPPY: Rohan Tungate

SPEEDWAY: Rohan Tungate is already living up to the hype that greeted his Ipswich Witches signing just before Christmas.

The 22-year-old, from Kurri-Kurri in New South Wales, has been impressive in both opening meetings for the ‘Sackers’ Witches and is likely to play a major part in any success the Witches may enjoy this season.

At Rye House on Saturday and on a track he admitted he had, “only seen on You Tube”, Tungate scored a paid 11 points from five rides and helped the Witches retain the Anglian Cup, with an aggregate two-point victory.

“I must admit I’m getting more and more confident,” said the quietly-spoken Tungate.

“I’ve settled in really well in Ipswich and things couldn’t be better.

“I just hope I can keep scoring the points and I know I still have a lot to learn.”

Tungate is set to be required quite a lot by the Witches over the next month or so.

With Morten Risager set to be out of action for up to six months after crushing four vertebrae in his back at Foxhall on Thursday, and Taylor Poole for up to two months with a broken arm, Tungate and fellow reserve Cameron Heeps could be very much in demand.

Indeed ‘Sackers’ Witches director of speedway Chris Louis says there will be one and possibly two new signings to aid his injury-hit squad.

“It’s a huge shame because the boys had all started to bond,” he said.

“They had been together for a couple of weeks now and I know the rest of the boys are devastated for Morten and Taylor.”

One rider being linked with a Witches return is Leigh Lanham who was in superb form for Rye House, where he is currently on a short-term contract at Hoddesdon.

He is an Ipswich asset, lives near the stadium and could move to Foxhall at very short notice should Louis wish.

“Leigh Lanham is definitely an option for us,” admitted Louis.

“But he’s one of a few options we have. He’s our rider and he likes the track the way it is now and if it was right for us, we wouldn’t hesitate to use him.”

One or two fans queried whether there was something wrong with the track on Thursday night that led to so many crashes, but Louis refutes that.

“There was absolutely nothing wrong with the track, it was in perfect order,” Louis added.