When does a draw feel like a win?

When you are staring defeat in the face with another eight heats to go, no reserves and have former world champion, recent British Grand Prix winner and possibly the only other rider in the Elite League that can give our captain Leigh Adams a run for his money around the Abbey, namely Jason Crump, in the opposition.

This was the situation facing us on Thursday night after a horrendous heat seven that saw both of our reserves involved in nasty-looking accidents that ruled them out of the meeting.

Both incidents involved Robins' asset and one-time Blunsdon darling Charlie Gjedde.

Many heated exchanges took place on the terraces following the bend one coming-together that saw Manuel Hauzinger hit the fence in a fearsome manner.

First bend bunching or a wild movement out to the wide line?

There is no doubt that opinions among Robins' fans will remain divided.

I'm sure that we all hope that Manuel, Seb Alden and Belle Vue rider Billy Forsberg, who was also withdrawn from the meeting following a heat three crash, make speedy recoveries.

The remainder of the meeting was a time when you felt proud to be a Robins fan.

That same team spirit that has been much-heralded for our successes this season saw James Wright, Travis McGowan and the slightly off-form Mads Korneliussen stand up and be counted to take heat wins on three of the occasions when we were down to just one rider.

Suddenly the impossible became possible and it looked likely that we were going to be able to take something from the meeting.

It would be easy to say that just one heat win in 13 or 15 from Leigh Adams would have seen us take the meeting.

But in reality Jason Crump was in blistering form and by going just slightly outside the track record in heat 15 demonstrated his speed.

In the end it all came down to a last-bend engine failure from Kevin Doolan, who on that night's evidence really should not be in the Premier League, to allow Mads through for a 3-3 shared heat and a draw on the night.

On this occasion only, a draw really did feel like a win!

The four Robins that completed the meeting should hold their heads up high - that was a point won not one lost.

We now have a week's break from the Elite League while the World Team Cup takes place.

It is going to be a tough meeting for Team Great Britain when they take to the track at Brandon Stadium next Monday.

Let's hope that they are also holding their heads held up high, with progression through to the final in Denmark next Saturday secured.