Peter Ljung has ridden his last match for Eastbourne Eagles after last night's meeting at Coventry was abandoned because of a waterlogged track.

The Swedish World Cup star refused to change his mind about quitting the club who had stood by him for a season and a half, despite hitting the best form of his English career in the last few weeks.

Eastbourne boss Jon Cook said: "I'm bitterly disappointed. We did everything we could to keep him, but he was determined to go."

The club's last-ditch efforts included skipper David Norris spending last Saturday with Ljung fishing and watching the Danish Grand Prix, and Trevor Geer, Ljung's mentor in this country, playing golf with him the next day, but all to no avail.

Cook added: "I can't fault Peter for the way he has ridden for us while all this has been going on. He has been superb.

"His heart is here, and every-one has told him he is making a mistake.

"He rang me on Monday and said he was sorry. I told him he had started this, and the only person who could stop the ball rolling was him. All he had to say was he wanted to stay, but it didn't happen. Now the game is up."

Ljung would not have been in the Eastbourne team against Peterborough tomorrow night in any case because he is riding in the Swedish championship.

Last night's meeting was cal-led off after a downpour.