SPEEDWAY: Rosco needled by Aces defeat (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

SPEEDWAY: Rosco needled by Aces defeat

9:43pm Tuesday 13th May 2008

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ROBINS manager Alun Rossiter felt three points went begging against bottom club Belle Vue Aces on Monday night.

The Robins took their hosts to a final-heat decider but former dual world champion Jason Crump and Swindon old boy Charlie Gjedde secured a 4-2 against Swindon's Leigh Adams and Travis McGowan to take the two points.

With Poole Pirates gaining a surprise victory at Eastbourne, the Robins lead at the head of the Sky Sports Elite League table is down to just one point - and Rosco is far from happy.

"There is no getting away from the fact that it is a very disappointing result," he said.

"We should have upped our game this evening but we have fallen short by just four points.

"I do feel as if some decisions went against us, though, especially the incidents with Mads and Troy.

"Troy feels particularly aggrieved and is adamant that Charlie took him down in Heat Nine.

"I thought the referee made some very questionable decisions that I personally found hard to understand.

"That's racing, though, and we'll now turn our attentions to the Lakeside match on Thursday."

Swindon got off to an ideal start and held the ascendancy in the early stages, but a mid- meeting revival from Belle Vue, including some fine riding from talented youngster Tai Woffinden, earned them a four- point cushion of their own.

Swindon's score chart was topped by captain Adams, who notched a paid 12-point haul, while an eight-point effort from Seb Alden was well constructed.

Theo Pijper's paid seven-point score suggests he is beginning to find form again after his collar bone injury, while Travis McGowan was consistently in the thick of the action.

It was, however, another miserable away meeting for Troy Batchelor, who will have been left disappointed not to have contributed more than four points.

Batchelor was excluded for a third bend, first lap fall in the initial staging of Heat Nine.

His frustration boiled over and he gestured at the referee, who later fined him £600.

Pijper, now the sole Swindon representative in the race, held his nerve and split the Aces pairing, limiting the home side to a 4-2 heat advantage.

With Swindon trailing by two entering the final race, Adams made a great start but a cut back from Crump handed the Belle Vue rider the lead heading into turn three. Meanwhile, Gjedde was using all his home track knowledge to repel the challenge of McGowan.

The 4-2 advantage in the Aces favour secured them a victory and left the Robins wondering what might have been.

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