LEIGH Adams hopes Swindon's Elite Shield triumph over arch-rivals Coventry Bees is a sign of things to come as Robins pocketed the first piece of silverware on offer in 2008.

The world no 2 was thrilled to finally get one over on the Bees after losing out to them in three domestic finals last year, and has now set his sights on more trophy success with the Blunsdon outfit.

Captain Adams contributed 29 points to his side's fine two-legged victory, before paying tribute to the rest of Alun Rossiter's fledgling Robins.

He said: "Last year was heartache for us, so it was nice to get one over on Coventry.

"It's still early days yet, but things look pretty good for us.

"We're really starting to build as a team and everyone is finding their form. It's going to be hard to win away from home this year, because there's not as much experience in the teams.

"One or two of the boys struggled tonight, but this is a team to build on, I promise you."

Holding a seemingly insurmountable 22-point advantage from last night's opening leg at Blunsdon, Robins received a huge boost in heat one when Olly Allen was forced to retire on the start line due to an engine failure.

Adams took full advantage to win the opener, with James Wright a useful third.

Swindon profited from another retirement in heat two, as Andreas Messing ground to a halt on the second lap.

Seb Alden then showed his speed to pass Stanislaw Burza on the penultimate lap for another Robins heat win, with Theo Pijper adding a point from third.

Bees finally got their engines working in three, American Billy Janniro leading from tapes to flag.

The hosts followed up with an impressive 5-1 in heat four, before Adams recorded the fasted time of the season at Brandon in five, his blistering 59.06 enough to seal a 3-3 split.

Bees grabbed their second maximum in six, Schlein cleverly blocking off McGowan on the opening bend to give team-mate Allen a clear path to victory.

Heat seven provided the hottest action of the night, with Stead sandwiched between Batchelor and Korneliussen on a breathtaking opening bend. Korneliussen found the best racing line, but Stead did pass Batchelor to claim second.

After an Olly Allen victory in eight, Bees were awarded a 5-1 in nine, McGowan sliding into the barrier on turn two with nobody near him.

Only one Robin finished heat 10 too, as Batchelor retired on the first lap after losing his steel shoe on the opening bend.

Swindon used the tactical ride in 11, Adams powering to a double points win to leave Coventry needing a minor miracle.

Robins effectively wrapped up the Shield in heat 12, McGowan's second place putting the tie beyond the 2007 treble winners.

And though Allen inflicted a first heat loss for Adams on a re-run in 13, an exclusion for the enthusiastic Burza in 14 allowed Alden a second heat win of the night.

The final heat went 4-2 in favour of Coventry, but by then Robins were already making space in the Blunsdon trophy cabinet.

  • SKIPPER Leigh Adams and countryman Troy Batchelor will represent Swindon as a host of top Grand Prix stars do battle in the Elite League Pairs Championship at King's Lynn next month.

More than half of the 2008 Grand Prix contingent will represent their British clubs on Saturday, April 5 (7pm).

Jason Crump, Chris Harris, Scott Nicholls, Andreas Jonsson, Hans Andersen, Bjarne Pedersen, Adams, Fredrik Lindgren and Niels-Kristian Iversen are all included in a glittering field.

Poole are the reigning champions, Robins winning the title in 2004 and 2005.

Racing starts at 7pm, with gates open from 4pm and a rider autograph session close to the entrance to the stadium at 5.30 pm.

  • TEAMS Belle Vue: Jason Crump, Charlie Gjedde; Coventry: Chris Harris, Rory Schlein; Eastbourne: Scott Nicholls, Lee Richardson; Ipswich: Chris Louis, Robert Miskowiak; Lakeside: Andreas Jonsson, Adam Shields; Peterborough: Hans Andersen, Kenneth Bjerre; Poole: Bjarne Pedersen, Davey Watt; Swindon: Leigh Adams, Troy Batchelor; Wolverhampton: Fredrik Lindgren, Niels-Kristian Iversen.