PIRATES veteran Craig Boyce was in hot water at Eastbourne on Saturday night, after he punched Eagles star Nicki Pedersen following a heat nine spill.

The clash occurred in the challenge fixture, when Boyce took to the dirt but straight-lined going into the bend.

This sent Pedersen, who was trying to round him, straight into the 39-year-old's rear and both riders smashed into the fence.

Eastbourne's Danish heat leader quickly got up, confronting the Aussie and putting his helmet in Boyce's face.

But Boyce was incensed and dealt the former world champion a blow right on his goggles, which dropped him to the shale.

Despite having the option to throw the Poole man out of the meeting, referee Chris Gay opted to fine Boyce the maximum on-the-spot penalty of £300.

In addition, Gay excluded Boyce from race nine for unfair riding.

And the Australian team boss could face further action from the Speedway Control Bureau.

Although Boyce regretted his reaction at Arlington, he claimed Pedersen provoked him by head butting him in the goggles, when the pair squared up.

He said: "Their track wasn't in the best condition but Nicki was still trying to go around the outside of me.

"The next thing I know, I'm on the ground and he came over yelling at me and head butted me through the helmet.

"My goggles broke off and I just got up and reacted.

"I know I shouldn't have punched him but I'm not taking that from him."

Despite Boyce's claims, Pedersen was quick to deny the Pirate's accusation that he head butted him.

He said: "Maybe I shouldn't have gone in so close with the helmet.

"But he lost the plot and hit me and it's up to the SCB to do something about it."