FORMER Swindon Robins skipper Jason Doyle landed the SGB Premiership Riders’ Championship at Wimborne Road tonight, with current heat leader Troy Batchelor claiming a close second.

Batchelor started the night with a pair of second places before rounding off his five qualifying rides with a trio of comfortable heat wins, which booked him a spot in the grand final.

Despite having the pick of the gate positions, Batchelor was overhauled by Doyle in the first turn, with the reigning world champion racing clear to claim the title at the home of Poole Pirates.

While Batchelor was disappointed to miss out on reaching the top step of the podium, the Australian admitted he couldn’t have faced a tougher opponent in the final race of the night.

He said: “It’s always disappointing to be top of the score chart and then miss out in the final.

“But Jason isn’t world champion for no reason. To be on the podium is always good.”

The 30-year-old opted to make no mechanical changes throughout the night.

And Batchelor’s relaxed approach to the meeting appeared to help his chances as he dropped only three points on the night. “I didn’t change nothing all night, I just rode the bike and had fun,” said Batchelor.

“The track was difficult and not a lot of passing went on, so starts were pretty vital.

“I made a few good starts, but the gates were so uneven.

“Gates one and two were like a different track to gates three and four.

“My first three races I had gate three, four and then three – I made points from there so I could get the gate draw for the final.

“But Jason beat me to the first corner and it was game over. He trapped me and that was it.

“I was too busy trying to fight it out with Hans (Andersen) for second place to concentrate on catching Jason.

“You can’t give him half an inch.”

Elsewhere, Swindon skipper Nick Morris missed out on a spot in the semi-final race-off after recording seven points from his five qualifying rides.

Despite registering five points from his first two rides, Morris crashed spectacularly in his third outing and faced an uphill battle from there.

A pair of third-placed finishes in his final two rides proved not enough for the 23-year-old, who will now dust himself down ahead of a return to club action next week.

Fellow Swindon rider Adam Ellis was also drafted into the meeting late on after the van of reigning British champion Craig Cook broke down while travelling down to Dorset.

Despite being on the pace, Ellis recorded five points from as many rides with his highlight being a second place in heat 18.

Swindon resume their Premiership programme on Monday when Alun Rossiter takes his troops to Belle Vue Aces, seeking a fourth victory from five league meetings this season.