PLYMOUTH Devils suffered their first home defeat in the Premier League this season when they lost 48-42 to Ipswich at the St Boniface Arena on Friday evening.

It was always a closely contested meeting with never more than four points separating the sides until Ipswich rounded off the evening with a couple of 5-1 wins in the last two races.

Ipswich packed some top end strength as they provided 11 of the 15 race winners with double figure returns from British champion Danny King and former Plymouth riders Ben Barker and Morten Risager.

King, who managed only one point from his first two races, finished strongly, winning three of the final five heats, including a spectacular effort to come from behind as he beat Jack Holder and Stefan Nielsen in Heat 11.

James Sarjeant also impressed for the Witches, taking eight points from his first three outings.

Plymouth struggled with only four points from five rides for Sam Simota, while they took only six from the four rider replacement rides for injured skipper Kyle Newman.

Devils team manager Lee Trigger said: “It was disappointing to lose at home. That is another three points that we will need to make up with our results away from home.

Trigger had another problem with the need to find a guest replacement for Todd Kurtz, who will miss the trip to Rye House on Saturday evening because of a hip injury.

Plymouth: Brady Kurtz 8+1 (5 rides), rider replacement for Kyle Newman, Sam Simota 4+1 (5), Todd Kurtz 10 (5), Jack Holder 8 (5). Reserves: Stefan Nielsen 9+4 (7), Ellis Perks 3+2 (3).

Ipswich: Danny King 10 (5), James Sarjeant 8 (4), Nico Covatti 6+2 (4), Morten Risager 10 (4), Ben Barker 11+1 (5). Reserves: Paco Castagna 0 (4), Oliver Greenwood 3+1 (4).