SPEEDWAY: Last-race thriller stings Bees (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

SPEEDWAY: Last-race thriller stings Bees

9:21pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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THE Robins kept a bumper Blunsdon crowd on its toes by beating the triple champions Coventry 49-43 on Thursday night.

Despite leading all evening, and by the comfortable cushion of eight points with three races to go, the Robins were taken to a last-race decider by the brave Bees.

Having beaten Leigh Adams with a super-slick ride in Heat 13, Chris Bomber' Harris - who had come within 0.9sec of the track record earlier in the evening - had the world number two in his sights again as they lined up for Heat 15.

With Coventry requiring nothing short of a 5-1 to snatch victory, Harris pushed too hard at the start, touching the tapes, and was forced to take a 15-metre penalty. Adams was not about to lose to Harris with such an advantage and he always looked in control up front in the re-run.

The drama was not over however, as Harris brought down Troy Batchelor in an overtaking manoeuvre on bend three of the third lap.

Referee Dave Robinson judged it foul play, excluded Harris and awarded a 5-1 to Swindon, which earned the two points that keeps them on top of the Elite League table.

Adams collected the man of the match award for his typical 13+1 haul and there was good back-up from Swindon's other heat leaders, Mads Korneliussen (11) and Troy Batchelor, back on form with 10+1 after his night to forget at Poole.

Harris (12) starred for the Bees, while young Ben Barker, with nine points, is clearly a name to watch for the future.

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