SWINDON gave their most complete performance of the season last night as they took three precious points against Elite League pace-setters Eastbourne.

As good as the previous week’s home triumph against Poole had been, it was tinged with disappointment at the knowledge that the Robins had missed out on maximum points.

But this time there were no such regrets as the Robins saw the job through till the end, emerging comfortable 51-41 winners against Trevor Geer’s men.

Still missing skipper Simon Stead to a rib injury, the hosts coped admirably in his absence and Scott Nicholls led the line with a score of 14.

Jesper B. Monberg dovetailed superbly with the former Ipswich man and Cory Gathercole well and truly outshone Cameron Woodward at reserve with a haul of 9+1.

It said it all about the home side’s display that they only lost two individual heats all night, and they got off to the ideal start as Monberg and Nicholls romped to a 5-1.

Gathercole zipped past guest Dakota North into top spot in the reserves’ battle next, and the points were also shared in the next race as new Blunsdon favourite Nicolai Klindt secured victory.

Eastbourne were hamstrung by number one Bjarne Pedersen’s failure to clock up a race win all night and in the second of his outings he was beaten by Maciej Janowski.

Honours ended even in race six before the visitors took their first heat advantage, Lewis Bridger making it five points from two races while Simon Gustafsson came home in third.

Swindon’s response was instant with the red-hot duo of Monberg and Gathercole hammering in a 5-1 against the unimpressive Lukas Dryml and the decidedly average Woodward.

And the home advantage was taken to 32-22 thanks to a second triumph for Janowski, before a 3-3 in heat 10 prefaced a tactical ride for Pedersen in race 11.

It did not pay off. Pedersen initially held the lead but Nicholls quickly overhauled his rival and the Robins restricted the damage to a 5-3 loss.

Gathercole continued his fine evening with three points in heat 12 but the Eagles gave themselves hope with a maximum next – bringing them to within six points – as Kylmakorpi and Pedersen led in the field.

But that was as good as it got for Eastbourne as Janowski trapped brilliantly to win heat 14 and received the necessary support from Gathercole in third.

A thrilling final race saw Nicholls and Monberg emerge with a 4-2 having initially been on the end of a maximum, securing the home side all three points.

Robins co-owner Terry Russell said afterwards: “On the back of what we did against Poole I was delighted to see us race like that and get the three points.

“The commitment and team spirit was fantastic and it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

  • THE Robins Pit Crew is to hold a quiz night at the Jovial Monk in St Andrew’s Ridge on Tuesday, May 10 (8pm).

The quiz is general knowledge, not just speedway and entry is £2.50 per person. Teams of a maximum of four are invited to enter.

All funds raised will go to the Riders’ Equipment Fund. For further details email pitcrew@swindon-speedway.co or phone 07846 757000.

  • KEEP up to date with all the latest Swindon Robins news by following Advertiser speedway writer Ned Payne on Twitter at @nedpayne1.