Elite League

Swindon Robins 60; Wolverhampton 32

THE Robins’ biggest home win since April 2013 was certainly unexpected after the disappointing home defeat against Belle Vue two weeks earlier.

Wolverhampton are not a strong team but as the old adage goes, you can only beat what is put in front of you.

Every home rider had a heat win and equalled or outscored all but one of the Wolves side, the excellent young American Ricky Wells who recorded half his side's four race wins, including a six-point tactical ride.

The highlight for Swindon was Greg Zengota’s first Elite League maximum and it is ironic that he and Kyle Howarth (joint second highest scorer on 10 along with Troy Batchelor) are the ones whose places appear to be in jeopardy should Darcy Ward join the team. They certainly gave team manager Alun Rossiter plenty to think about.

The Robins started with a 5-1 and then in heat two both Wolves reserves came off at the same time on turn one and the meeting referee unusually excluded them for making no effort to leave the circuit, so Swindon were 10-1 up after two races.

With Wolves' top two Freddie Lindgren and Peter Karlsson both disappointing on the night it was heat eight before Wolverhampton reached double figures.

Batchelor was in lively form and almost back to his forceful best.

Hans Anderson, guesting for Swindon, got a reception suggesting that supporters would love the Dane back at the Abbey. His energetic overtake of Jacob Thorssell in heat ten for a third place had the crowd cheering but the young Swede was less than happy.

Charles Wright was lively and it was good to see Lewis Rose, using an engine borrowed from Batchelor, with a smile on his face as he looked more on the pace than for some weeks.

Nick Morris claimed the fastest time of the night in race three but was a little subdued perhaps because of a crash two days earlier when on Premier League duty for Glasgow.

The side next race at Leicester on Saturday and must do better than on their last visit there when humbled 52-38.

On Monday, July 13 in front of the Sky TV cameras, Poole visit in a hastily-rearranged fixture, which could see a much-anticipated Robins debut for Darcy Ward.