SWINDON ROBINS’ riders enjoyed mixed fortunes as both the British and European speedway scenes cranked into action over the weekend, writes Phil Rice.

The sport’s official UK opening was on Sunday when three meetings were held.

Leicester thrashed Coventry 63-27 in a midday challenge while two hours later at Peterborough the local Premier League side faced a GB Select outfit managed by Swindon boss Alun Rossiter.

Swindon rider Kyle Howarth bagged eight points including two wins as the young GB side narrowly went down 48-45. Robins rookie Lewis Rose weighed in with five points.

In the evening, Swindon captain Troy Batchelor raced in the Rory Schlein testimonial meeting at King’s Lynn but had a scoreless night including a tape exclusion and retirement.

This coming Saturday Batchelor will hope to retain his Elite League Riders Championship at Leicester, a track where he has raced just once. Fellow Robin Nick Morris will join him.

In Poland, two 2015 Robins shook the cobwebs off in a challenge match between Torun and Leszno.

Adrian Miedzinski scored 10 for Torun who narrowly lost 43-47 to their visitors, for whom Grzegorz Zengota had two wins in his eight points. Rain meant Sunday’s planned second leg was cancelled.

It is hoped that with the exception of Miedzinski and Zengota, the rest of the 2015 Robins squad will take part in a private two-hour practise session at Blunsdon on Thursday.

The club’s Press & Practise day will be on Tuesday, March 24 ahead of the Bob Kilby Memorial meeting 48 hours later.

The riders are expected to take to the track at around 4.30pm when the stadium will be open to supporters.

On Friday, many Robins supporters will be interested in the Remembering #Rico Spring Classic at Lakeside.

Lee Richardson, a former World U21 champion, rode for Swindon from 2005-7 and was tragically killed in a league meeting at Wroclaw in May 2012.

Lee was very popular with fans and track staff alike and his benefit meeting at Lakeside at the end of 2012 drew a massive 7,000 crowd.