SGB Premiership
Somerset Rebels 44
Swindon Robins 46
DAVID BELLEGO lived up to his reputation as a Somerset track specialist to inspire Swindon’s last-gasp 46-44 win at the Rebels.

The Frenchman continued his fine form since arriving in Wiltshire with four wins from five outings in the derby outing, including a decisive heat-15 maximum alongside Grand Prix star Jason Doyle.

Bellego’s display would have come as no surprise to most having finished in the top two in 16 of his previous 22 races at the Oak Tree Arena while competing in British speedway’s second tier.

But while his 13+1 points made the difference, the ex-Redcar charger argued that solid scores from all of the top five had rubbished pre-season talk of Swindon being over reliant on talisman Doyle.

“I have worked really hard for this and tonight saw that work come together,” said Bellego. “I am really happy for the boys, they all tried a lot and deserved this win.

“All of the people talking rubbish about us, we showed them we are not that bad. It does not matter about the name on the paper, we want it and that is the most important thing.”

Bellego filed in behind Adam Ellis for a point in an awarded heat three before taking advantage of ex-Robin Josh Grajczonek’s mechanical troubles to lead Ellis home in heat seven.

Crucially, Paul Starke made it two Rebels retirements from top-two positions in as many races to hand Swindon a two-point lead after eight heats.

The hosts fought back with Grajczonek twice getting the better of Doyle but Bellego’s heat-14 success kept the Robins within touching distance.

Doyle led the decider early on but wobbled, found Grajczonek in front by a whisker and then fought back to lead again before Bellego surged into the vacant space to take a fourth chequered flag, leaving the Robins number four bullish about his side's prospects.

“I think we have a cracking season ahead of us. We will keep our heads strong and it will be good,” he added.

SOMERSET 44: Josh Grajczonek 13, Charles Wright 10+1, Jake Allen 8, Rohan Tungate 6+1, Jan Graversen 4, Paul Starke 3, Patrick Hougaard R/R.

SWINDON 46: David Bellego 13+1, Jason Doyle 12+1, Nick Morris 7+1, Adam Ellis 6+1, Bradley Wilson-Dean 5+1, Emil Grondal 2, Zach Wajtknecht 1.