TEAM manager Alun Rossiter says Swindon Robins’ late revival during their 47-43 defeat in the first leg of the SGB Premiership Grand Final against Wolverhampton Wolves last night has given him hope that they can still be crowned champions.

Swindon were caught out by unfamiliar racing conditions at the Abbey Stadium early on and that was ruthlessly exploited by Wolves as they roared 12 points clear after only seven heats.

However, the Robins were able to raise their game the longer the night went on and they trimmed that gap to four points heading into Wednesday night’s second leg at Monmore Green.

Although Rossiter admits his troops have given themselves a mountain to climb by surrendering a first-leg deficit, the Swindon boss cannot give up on the prospect of completing a sensational turnaround on Wolves’ home turf tomorrow.

“From being 12 points down and getting it back to four, I still believe the tie is wide open,” said Rossiter.

“I don’t think it is over. When it was 12 points, I think it probably was over, but we have got a sniff now and it gives us a bit of a chance to come back.

“Four points is nothing and we have just got to go for it. It is a final, the boys know they have got to give it their all and I am sure they will.

“The spirit changed in the last few races, the boys got fired up and wanted to do it. I have spoken to them all and they still believe it is not over yet so we will go there believing.

“We all know it is going to be tough but anything can happen.”

Skipper Jason Doyle was the only Swindon rider to hit double figures as he led the scoring charts on 11 points, while Adam Ellis managed just two after shaking off a wrist injury to feature.

Rossiter insisted pain was not an issue in the young Brit’s performance, with Ellis suffering just as much as his team-mates with a track they simply were not used to.

“Adam is fine, he just struggled with the set-ups and couldn’t get the power into the ground,” said Rossiter. “It is pretty much the same problem for all the team but I don’t want to use that to deteriorate from what Wolves did as it looks sour grapes.”