ALUN Rossiter heaped praise on a polished Swindon Robins team following last night’s 52-38 win against Poole Pirates at Wimborne Road.

A first race 5-1 from skipper Nick Morris and David Bellego set the tone for Rossiter’s troops as Poole failed to get a hold on the Robins’ SGB Premiership opener at any moment, eventually crashing to a heavy home defeat.

The result puts the Robins joint top of the Premiership table with Leicester Lions, who are also on four points after snatching a point following a last heat 5-1 at Somerset Rebels.

While the early indications flash green, Rossiter said his men must not get too ahead of themselves as they prepare to face King’s Lynn at the Abbey Stadium tonight (7.30pm) for their second match in as many days.

He said: “It’s early days yet, but you can’t ask for anything better than a 14 point win away at Poole as a start.

“It’s a good start from everybody.

“We were switched on from the start, that’s what I told them to do.

“I told them not to have any fear, we shouldn’t be scared of anybody.

“Riders can get on edge when you mention Poole. Poole are beatable. Just because it’s at Wimborne Road, it doesn’t matter.

“We had to put that thought out of our head. We’ve done it before and we can do it again.

“They certainly delivered tonight. Even though Mitchell (Davey) struggled he was on the pace.”

Rossiter made an inspired team change before the meeting, swapping Adam Ellis and David Bellego’s positions as the latter filled in at number two, while Ellis raced in the four jacket.

The move proved fruitful for Rossiter, who watched both men record scores of 7+2.

And changing the team order could be something Robins fans will see more of this season, particularly away from home.

“On certain tracks, I like to try different things,” said Rossiter.

“I know Adam (Ellis) rides Wimborne Road very well.

“If things were going to get close, then Adam could’ve been key to our success. I’ve got every faith in him, he performed really well.

“There will be no easy meetings this year. Teams are even. We’ll take a lot of positives from tonight.

“A lot of people will make Poole their favourites.

“But it’s early days. However, it’s an impressive start to the season.”

Only after heat seven did the Pirates appear to have a chance of gaining something from the meeting.

A 5-1 in heat six followed by a 4-2 left the Robins nursing a four-point lead.

But three successive race advantages in heats eight, nine and 10 put the meeting beyond Poole’s reach as the Robins started their title defence in perfect style.

Rossiter said: “They were clawing the meeting back a little bit.

“We were comfortable at one stage, and they started to earn some race advantages.

“We had to do something. At the interval we had a chat and I mentioned we needed to share races and do nothing silly.

“They went out and rode their socks off, the lot of them.

“Troy (Batchelor) had a great night. Nick (Morris) had a fantastic night with just one loss.

“Later on in the season, he might’ve chased Peter Kildemand a little more in that heat 13 but there’s no point in chasing during early days. We want everyone to come back safe.

“I was very happy with Nick’s performance. He looked very polished, very comfortable and very smooth.”