SPEEDWAY: Double setback for the Robins (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Swindon lose unbeaten record on an emotional night at Lakeside

12:15pm Monday 21st May 2012 in Sport

Sky Sports Elite League

Lakeside Hammers 50

Swindon Robins 40

AFTER eight consecutive postponements due to bad weather, Swindon Robins returned to the track on an emotional night at Lakeside on Friday – and lost for the first time this season.

But the result was always going to be secondary as fans, riders and friends paid tribute to the late Lee Richardson in Lakeside’s first home meeting since their captain and former Robins star was killed in a Polish track crash the previous Sunday.

The Robins could not combat the overall strength of their opponents, but they kept it close throughout the meeting and weren’t far off a league point.

Hans Andersen continued to impress with ten, while Jason Doyle had his best Swindon meeting to date with a paid nine.

Team boss Alun Rossiter said: “The boys were clearly rusty and it was a difficult night for everyone following the tragic passing of Lee Richardson.

“It was a harrowing experience and not one that I ever want to have to go through again, but it was a fitting tribute to Lee.

“I’ve got to say full respect to (Lakeside co-promoter) Jon Cook, because the words he said were absolutely spot-on and I know how hard the last week has been for him as well.

“I looked at the riders while it (the pre-racing ceremony) was going on and you could see how affected they were, so for both teams to go out like they did and put on the meeting they did was to their massive credit.”

Sky Sports Elite League

Eastbourne Eagles 51

Swindon Robins 39

SWINDON came away with nothing on the second night in a row on Saturday – as a late Eastbourne flourish secured the home side maximum points at Arlington.

The Robins have enjoyed much success this season with a flying reserve, but on this occasion the Eagles had their own trump card in Timo Lahti, who piled up a shock paid-18 total.

Swindon’s star tail-end man Peter Kildemand won his first three rides, but his effectiveness was drastically reduced after a tangle with Lewis Bridger in Heat 11, which saw the home rider disqualified.

Kildemand suffered a foot problem and fell himself next time out, with Lahti and Cameron Woodward combining for a 5-1 to clinch the match for Eastbourne in Heat 14.

Robins needed an advantage from the last race to snatch a point, but this time Lahti got away along with Eastbourne guest Scott Nicholls, and there was no way through for Doyle or skipper Hans Andersen.

The form of No.1 Troy Batchelor continues to be a major concern for Swindon.

Batch has yet to register a double points score this season and has averaged just four points over the last four meetings.