KING’S Lynn boss David Hoggart has heaped praise on skipper Nicolai Klindt following Thursday’s 51-39 defeat at Ipswich.

Tracking a somewhat depleted team, the MacInnes Stars held the Witches far closer than had been anticipated, and even left Foxhall with the feeling that it could have been a winnable meeting.

Klindt scored a superb 15 points from seven rides, defeating top home duo Emil Sayfutdinov and Jason Doyle in the process, and he would have had more but for a disqualification in Heat 9 when he lifted and Danny King, who was trying to make it around the outside, came to grief.

Hoggart said: “Nicolai is one of the most outstanding captains in the league, without any shadow of a doubt.

“It’s not just him but also his pit team who rally round and help everybody else, and in terms of the effort he’s put in over the short time I’ve been with King’s Lynn he’s been outstanding.

“His commitment to the club, and to British Speedway, has been incredible, and I can’t thank him and his crew enough.

“I’m also grateful to young Sam Hagon and his family for taking the booking in the Rising Star berth, bearing in mind the rules only allow us to use riders not attached to another Premiership club to guest. To see such a positive attitude from such a young man was very refreshing.

“I must also say Connor Mountain deserves thanks for his contribution. It wasn’t a straightforward night for him given everything that was going on with a patched-up team, but my thanks to him.

“I know probably most people wouldn’t have expected us to score 39, but we actually could have won. I’d also like to wish Dan Thompson well after his crash in Heat 2, and obviously that long delay was something else that everyone had to deal with.”

The Stars are back in action with the return fixture against the Witches at the Adrian Flux Arena next Thursday (August 17), with six matches remaining to complete the Sports Insure Premiership campaign.