Slow-starting Robins beaten by champions (From Swindon Advertiser)

Slow-starting Robins beaten by champions

9:20am Tuesday 31st March 2009 in

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TRAVIS MCGowan admitted his team had been caught cold by a gang of wounded Pirates as Swindon Robins’ Elite League campaign opened in defeat at Wimborne Road last night.

Robins, most pundits’ favourites to lift the Elite League crown, headed home with just a losing bonus point (for a defeat by under six points) to show after a hard-fought contest against the reigning champions.

Injury-hit Poole, smarting after a shock Elite Shield turnover by unfancied Eastbourne last week, were a fired-up outfit in front of the Sky Sports cameras and, given that they provided just two heat winners all evening, the visitors could have few complaints about the outcome.

McGowan, who scored an encouraging paid nine points, conceded: “It’s a tricky one because a team like Poole will bounce back hard and they did that.

“They were nailing those starts hard and perhaps we were that split-second too late going into the first corner.

“We really felt like we were up for the win, so there is a little bit of disappointment.

“But we deserved that extra point and it’s so crucial to keep as close as you can. You saw the guys fight all the way to the end, which is great for the fans, so we’re happy to get that point.’’ Typically, skipper Leigh Adams led the way with 12 points but, while there were more good signs from McGowan, Simon Stead and reserve Ryan Fisher, youngster Jurica Pavlic cut a forlorn figure on his way to a disappointing paid four.

In contrast, his opposite number Daniel Davidsson weighed in with 12 from four race wins, ably backing up double-figure efforts from Aussie sensation Chris Holder and Joe Screen and that proved the difference.

The home side made the stronger start, providing the first four heat winners, although they only took the lead courtesy of a third heat that saw Robins’ hotshots Troy Batchelor and Pavlic defeated by the Davidsson and Screen, Pavlic pulling up with mechanical problems.

Swindon packed the minor placings as the other three races were shared, but were having problems from the gate, a difficulty rectified in the fifth as Adams roared to an easy triumph - his side’s first.

The thrilling action was behind him as teammate McGowan had Screen all over his back wheel for the entire four laps, the pair crossing the line together before referee Christina Turnbull adjudged the Robins man had held on to ensure a 5-1 to level the meeting.

However, Davidsson and home number one Bjarne Pedersen team rode Poole back into a four-point lead at the expense of the hard-working Stead and Stojanowski in six while Pavlic and Batchelor could find no way past the classy Chris Holder in a shared seventh.

Pirates’ advantage went to six as Davidsson and Screen filled first and third against Stead and Stojanowski in nine.

Robins still had just Adams’ victory in five as their sole race success and were denied a second in 10 as Piszcz hit the deck under pressure from Pavlic while Batchelor was leading Pedersen out front.

Turnbull’s decision to rerun rather than award the race when there hadn’t been a significant pass at the front all night, left Rossiter fuming.

And it arguably proved a key turning point of the meeting, Pedersen making the most of his second chance - and perhaps proving Rossiter’s point - to get out in front of the visiting pair and ensure another share of the points and keep the gap at six.

Holder’s serene progress then continued as he beat Adams, McGowan keeping Swindon in touch by catching Piszcz on the line for third but Poole edged a further two clear as Screen won 12 from Batchelor and Hall pipped Fisher on the line for third.

Incredibly though, Robins gave themselves a glimmer of hope of the meeting victory as Adams won the big-hitting 13, while Stead magnificently passed Pedersen in the race of the night for Swindon’s first maximum to cut the deficit to four.

But the hosts slammed the door shut as Davidsson won the penultimate heat from Fisher while the disappointing Pavlic trailed home last.

A point for a defeat by six or less was still there for the Wiltshire side and despite Holder’s fourth win of the night in the last, Adams and Batchelor ensured Swindon had something to take home.