Dany Gappmaier was missing from Berwick’s line-up on Saturday, a major blow according to team manager Gary Havelock. Picture by Nigel Duncan Media

Berwick Bandits squad, boosted by the new signings of Nick Morris, Jye Etheridge and Lee Payne, failed to record a much-needed win when they entertained Ipswich Witches.

The Borders club skidded to their seventh straight Championshiop defeat minus Dany Gappmaier who had been called up by his Austrian authority to race in the European Championship qualifier. Ben Hopwood guested.

Gappmaier’s absence was telling so was the unexpected form of Cameron Heeps who struggled to score two points on his last visit to Shielfield Park but emerged with 13 this time.

Team manager Gary Havelock said: “Credit to Ipswich who took the win they deserved but Cameron Heeps really shocked us with his 13 points. He only got two last time.

“Dany’s (Gappmaier) enforced absence for that European Championship didn’t help, When your reserve gets paid for 17 the week before and then gets taken away you’ve got trouble and when you’re down life just kicks sand in your face.”

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