Keep the faith, urges Theo (From Swindon Advertiser)

Keep the faith, urges Theo

8:00am Tuesday 6th May 2008 in

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THEO Pijper may still be waiting for his first taste of victory since returning from injury but, despite a miserable Bank Holiday, he insists the belief in the camp has never wavered.

The Robins' Dutchman broke his wrist in the home victory over Poole at the end of March, returning for defeats at Eastbourne and last night's loss at the Pirates.

Alun Rossiter's men still top the Elite League table against all expectations though and Pijper insists they still have nowhere near hit top gear.

Young Australian sensation Troy Batchelor endured a night to forget scoring just two from four heats while Pijper (one), and Travis McGowan (four), also failed to hit top form.

After going agonisingly close to ending Eastbourne's perfect home record on Saturday, Robins were again unable to break a flawless home record, this time at Poole, but Pijper is predicting an instant return to winning ways.

He said: "I don't think any of us are that disappointed by the result. We did our best, I have just come back from injury and it will take me a while.

"We have started better than anyone expected and we are still top of the league. I don't see that changing just because we have lost a couple of meetings at some very tough places.

"Things did go against us but that is speedway. These things happen and we will pick it up. Our heads won't go down, we will plug away and do the job."

Sniffing a chance of victory against a depleted Poole side, Robins held their own in the early stages with the first three heats shared.

Batchelor's fall and subsequent exclusion in heat four though handed the hosts the initiative and, inspired by Chris Holder, they did not surrender it all night.

Heat six brought the hosts' second maximum, with Batchelor again struggling to fire on his former stomping ground, handing Poole a strong 22-14 lead.

A stunning win from Alden, followed home by some brave defensive work from McGowan, gave Robins their first 5-1 in heat eight but that was quickly wiped out as Batchelor fell victim to his third 5-1 of the night straight after, this time partnered by Pijper.

Leigh Adams' tactical ride in heat 11 proved the final straw as he was adjudged to have touched the tapes, controversially, and was unable to pull back a 15 metre deficit at the restart, despite a brilliant fightback to take second.

Trailing 41-33 by heat 12, Robins' hopes of a memorable win were almost over and when Batchelor's bike failed on the last bend of 13 to give Poole a 3-3, that was that.

Robins will look to bounce back with a win at home to reigning champions Coventry on Thursday, with Pijper predicting fireworks.

He said: "We have a bunch of great guys here. We don't talk about the bikes we just like to race. That is what we need.

"It is good to be back. It is not the best place to come back but I feel I can do well and we will win on Thursday definitely.

"We are looking forward to getting back to winning ways and it will be a great night of racing for the Swindon fans."