Robins have a new wizard of Oz (From Swindon Advertiser)

Robins have a new wizard of Oz

7:00am Friday 28th March 2008 in

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WHILE it's commonplace to see an Australian dominate proceedings for the Robins, last night's Craven Shield victory over Poole Pirates saw one of the new pretenders stake his claim to be the future main man of the Robins.

Skipper Leigh Adams was at his consistent best, scoring a paid 14, which included some fantastic displays of team riding to guide his young troops to the win.

But it was fellow Aussie Travis McGowan who caught the eye with a paid 10 to walk off with all the accolades and the rider-of-the-night award.

Having suffered a 54-39 defeat against the Pirates in Dorset on Wednesday night, the Robins were largely racing for pride. But three 5-1s and a 4-2 in the final heat saw them sneak a 46-44 victory and leave a large Abbey Stadium crowd talking about the latest import from Down Under to take Wiltshire by storm.

McGowan started brightly, taking the honours in his first race, heat four, and picked up two third places in heats seven and 11.

But it was when he paired up with Adams in heat 13 that the best began to show, as they recorded a 5-1 over Bjarne Pedersen and Chris Holder, and the duo were so impressive that Robins boss Alun Rossiter selected them to go again in heat 15.

A superb display of team riding almost snatched another maximum, but McGowan suffered an engine problem which saw him have to settle for third place instead of a much-deserved second.

And he was full of praise for the current King of Blunsdon, believing that some of his best racing will come alongside Adams.

"It's always nice to pick up a rider-of-the-night award and I thought the night went well for me. We kept battling hard and picked up a few good results along the way," said McGowan.

"Leigh is a top rider and was pushing me to go quicker than I perhaps had been going all night. But I don't mind that - he did a great job for the team, as he always does, and it was great to race alongside him.

"I don't think too much about the pressure riding alongside him, but it's good to know that you've got someone that good pushing you and watching your back at the same time."

And McGowan is promising Robins fans that, following his good start to life at in Wiltshire, they will see more of the same throughout the season.

"I love the Abbey Stadium - it can be a really rewarding stadium and it suits my style. It's just a case of knowing how to ride it properly - a couple of times I caught myself out trying a little bit too hard in areas where I now know I can't go.

"The club and the fans have made me feel so involved so it's off to a great start.

"It's up to me now to knuckle down, find some consistency, go onwards and upwards and get the results I know I can get."