SGB Premiership
Swindon Robins 48
Belle Vue Aces 42
THE Swindon Robins fashioned a superb but unlikely victory against top-of-the-league opposition in Belle Vue Aces on Thursday at the Abbey.

With skipper Jason Doyle absent having aggravated a foot injury 24 hours beforehand in Poland, the attendance at Blunsdon was somewhat thin as many fans were clearly expecting a home defeat.

In the short time available Robins manager Alun Rossiter was unsuccessful in finding a guest, had to use rider replacement – and the side lost the opening heat 5-1.

But Swindon's riders stepped up to the plate, Belle Vue were a little disappointing and David Bellego’s paid maximum was the highlight of the match.

The Robins took the lead in heat four as Zach Wajtknecht and stand-in captain Nick Morris headed home new British champion Craig Cook and two races later Morris and Adam Ellis repeated the dose making it 25-17.

Three successive 4-2s to the Aces saw Swindon only two points clear and with two races to go Swindon led 40-38. The crowd by now was getting nervous.

However Bellego with four heat wins behind him tucked in behind Ellis in race 14 for a comfortable 5-1 heat which clinched the win.

Polish debutant Tobiasz Musielak made a steady debut with 6+2 using former Robin Greg Zengota’s machinery and looks a good signing.

SWINDON: David Bellego 14+1, Adam Ellis 12+1, Nick Morris 10+1, Tobiasz Musielak 6+2, Zach Wajtknecht 5+1, Bradley Wilson-Dean 1, Jason Doyle r/r.

BELLE VUE: Kenneth Bjerre 10+1, Steve Worrall 8+1, Craig Cook 8, Max Fricke 7, Dan Bewley 5+1, Rohan Tungate 4+1, Jack Smith 0.