SPEEDWAY: Robins push champions Poole to last-heat decider (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Jason Doyle stars at reserve for Swindon

7:14pm Sunday 10th June 2012 in Sport

Sky Sports Elite League.

Poole Pirates 48, Swindon Robins 42.

SWINDON picked up a point from their trip to Elite League leaders Poole on Wednesday as they took the title favourites to a last-heat decider.

Alun Rossiter’s side never led at Wimborne Road but remained in touch throughout the evening largely due to a spectacular showing at reserve from ex-Pirate Jason Doyle and Danish star Peter Kildemand.

The home side dominated the heat wins with their powerhouse top three, but Robins were all-square after eight races with Doyle winning two of his first three rides, although they slipped four down in Heat 9 when Troy Batchelor conceded maximum points to Chris Holder and Adrian Miedzinski.

Kildemand, though, then achieved the notable feat of defeating Darcy Ward around his home circuit as the Robins secured the first of two successive 4-2s, which levelled the scores with just four heats to go.

Home guest Timo Lahti notched a crucial point by passing Simon Stead late in Heat 12 to put the Pirates back in front, and a big 5-1 from Ward and Miedzinski over Batchelor and Hans Andersen appeared to have sealed matters in the Pirates’ favour.

But back came the Robins once more in Heat 14 through Doyle and Kildemand over Lahti and Sam Masters to leave the visitors just two points down ahead of the last race.

Doyle and Kildemand were nominated by Rossiter but this time they had no answer to Holder and Ward as the Pirates’ top two produced their trademark finale – but the six-point margin was enough for Robins to claim a point and for Poole to be limited to two.

POOLE: Chris Holder 14+1, Adrian Miedzinski 13, Darcy Ward 12+2, Timo Lahti 8, Sam Masters 1, Todd Kurtz 0, Dennis Andersson r/r.

SWINDON: Jason Doyle 15, Peter Kildemand 8+2, Hans Andersen 5, Troy Batchelor 5, Nick Morris 4+1, Simon Stead 3, Richie Worrall 2+2.

The Robins missed out on the opportunity to gain revenge on Poole the following night (Thursday) when their home clash was postponed due to a waterlogged track.