Patchett: We will put the record staright against Eagles (From Swindon Advertiser)

Patchett: We will put the record staright against Eagles

8:08am Monday 9th June 2008 in Sport By Andy Cryer

GARY Patchett has already got his eyes on revenge after seeing his Robins side crash to a comfortable 50-43 defeat at Eastbourne on Saturday.

The Swindon outfit's co-owner, who took control in the absence of boss Alun Rossiter, admitted too many riders were off colour at Arlington but claimed it would be a different story when the Eagles travel to Blunsdon on Thursday.

Only Leigh Adams, 17, and James Wright, 10+2, emerged from the defeat with real credit although Robins at least had the small comfort of staying top of the Elite League.

Patchett said: "We will put the record straight on Thursday, I am very confident about that.

"We want revenge on Eastbourne, because we don't like losing, and I have no doubt we will beat them at Blunsdon.

"Lee Richardson is probably due a good meeting at our place but Eastbourne don't usually do very well at Blunsdon, so we will come back from this."

While the hosts dominated for much of the night, the story could have been so different had Lee Richardson not been allowed back into heat three, to lead the Eagles to a maximum on the re-run.

The former Robin tumbled on the first bend but, with the Swindon outfit looking odds on for a 5-1 themselves, Richardson was allowed back in and took full advantage.

Patchett said: "As it was the first bend it is an easy call for the referee. I did not bother questioning the call because what is the point?

"Things could have been very different because allowing Lee back in and him winning the re-run meant an eight point swing that we never really recovered from.

"Having said that though we can have no real complaints. Eastbourne did better on the night and deserved the win."

Eastbourne's Scott Nicholls enjoyed a big scalp in the first heat when he saw off the challenge of Robins' Leigh Adams, beating him into second with the second quickest time ever at Arlington.

Robins hit back though straight away with James Wright and the departing Theo Pijper taking first and second respectively.

The hosts then took advantage of their slice of fortune in heat three, before another maximum from the hosts really turned the screw at 21-15 in heat six.

It got worse for Robins when Mads Korneliussen and Travis McGowan fell in heat seven and, with the Australian excluded from the re-run, the Eagles stretched their lead to eight points.

Scott Nicholls' heat 10 win helped the hosts to another maximum and a 12 point lead but Leigh Adams' tactical ride win straight after reduced the deficit to seven.

Adams produced two more heat wins, including a brilliant heat 15 battle with Richardson, but it was never going to be enough to give the visitors their fourth away win of the campaign.

Patchett said: "Leigh Adams never ceases to amaze me. He was absolutely impeccable for us.

"He lost the first race of the night to Scott Nicholls but after that no one could get near him."