ALUN Rossiter says his Swindon Robins side are out to make amends for their disappointing end to the SGB Premiership season by taking one step towards the Knockout Cup final this evening.

Last week was something of a disaster for the Robins as they learned they would not make the end-of-season play-offs, before being forced to abandon their final Premiership meeting of the year against Belle Vue Aces due to rain.

Not only was the weather against them last Thursday at the Abbey Stadium, so was the scoreboard as they trailed 25-11 after the sixth and final heat of the night.

Now Swindon will turn their attention to the Cup, where they welcome King’s Lynn Stars to the Abbey for the first leg of their semi-final.

“It wasn’t much of a performance from the riders before the rain. We were out gated, that’s all it was, and now we need to buck our ideas up for Monday night,” said Rossiter.

“It’s hugely important against Kings Lynn. We need to put it right after Thursday’s performance.

“I need to make sure that we are up for it. So, I will be talking to the riders to make sure that they are up for it.

“The riders were disappointed to miss out on the play-offs, we are all disappointed to miss out.

“But there were too many points dropped away from home. All we needed was a couple more points and then last Thursday would have been more important.”

Rossiter also launched a defence of his riders after some had questioned their dedication to the cause throughout the season.

After the disappointment of Thursday’s cancellation, the Swindon team boss says it is ludicrous to suggest the riders don’t give it their all.

“I do get frustrated listening to people saying that the riders aren’t trying, it’s a load of rubbish. If the riders don’t score, then they don’t get paid,” he added.

“The rain came down quite heavily, it was pouring down. The damage was done and there wasn’t a lot we could do about it

“At the end of the day, rider’s safety is paramount. Belle Vue had more to lose than we did. We still have a cup match, but both sets of riders didn’t want to go back out.”