KYLE Howarth enjoyed getting a 'head start' on his second spell with the Swindon Robins at Sunday's Ben Fund Bonanza.

Howarth performed well on his outing at the Abbey since his return was announced.

Riding for Team England in the International Challenge he racked up 10 and two heat wins, including in the final heat to secure his side second place.

The 21-year-old also impressed in the individual competition where he saw off competition from Ben Barker to qualify for the final, ultimately finishing third teammate Nick Morris and Leicester Lions' Gregorz Walasek.

For Howarth, the day was not really about results, just getting in a bit of practice and helping out a good cause.

"It’s good to come and be at Swindon and get a bit of a head start on the track there so I don’t turn up on press day and look too rusty," he said.

“The track was good, the track was smooth and I don’t really have anything bad to say about it.

“It’s always good when I come here like when I rode for Swindon in 2013.

“The first meeting of the year is always going to be tricky but it’s a lot better start than last season.

"It’s going to be a long season but it’s good to be involved in the first meeting of the year and it’s good to score some good points too.

“It’s a meeting where you don’t come and flog yourself, you do it for the cause, and it’s nice to come and do it for the cause.

“It’s a long old season, it’s just starting so it’s exciting times.”