SWINDON Robins team manager Alun Rossiter says last week’s narrow home win over Rye House Rockets was a blessing in disguise for his troops.

In that meeting, which the Robins eventually won after coming back from an eight-point deficit on two occasions, Rossiter felt his side were reminded of the fine margins at play in the SGB Premiership.

On Thursday, Swindon made it eight wins out of eight at the Abbey Stadium in 2018 after inflicting a 52-38 defeat on King’s Lynn Stars.

Rossiter says the close shave at home to the Rockets a week earlier had served his side well in the long run, as they look far more assured on the shale this week.

“Last week against Rye House was a bit of a wake-up call for us, but against King’s Lynn we were much more solid,” said Rossiter.

“I think maybe we needed that scare just to give us a bit of a nudge. We never underestimate anybody, but I think sometimes the riders turn up thinking ‘we will be alright tonight’.

“That was just a good little reminder that we always have to be on our toes. We had a bit of a chat after that to fire up the boys and fingers crossed we can carry on this good form.

“I wouldn’t say teams are beaten before they come here, but we are a tough nut to crack. We showed a bit of frailty last week and it was a good reply from the boys.”

With such dominant form at home, Rossiter has urged his team to try and emulate that in away meetings.

Swindon have the perfect chance to do so when they hit the road next week, and Rossiter feels his team are more than capable of converting their home form onto other tracks.

Next up for the Robins is a trip to Rye House on Wednesday night, and after stretching their advantage at the top of the Premiership table to six points following their victory over King's Lynn, the Swindon chief wants his troops to repeat the feat in Hertfordshire.

“We are doing really well at home, so a couple more away wins would be nice now too," said Rossiter.

"If we can do that, and as long as we keep winning at home, that would really cement our place.

“The boys know all the tracks, it is just about putting it together.

“We go to Rye House next week and that can be tough because it is so slick.

"You need a bike that gets off the start, so we have to make sure we are dialled in for it.”