THE Robins’ heavy schedule continues unabated after the Elite Shield matches against Coventry, with the Wiltshire side due to face home and away fixtures in the Craven Shield versus Poole next week.
Firstly, Swindon travel to Dorset on Wednesday, with the return encounter taking place at Blunsdon twenty-four hours later on Thursday 27 March.
Poole’s 2008 team is a fascinating combination of youth and experience that is laced with real potential. The Dorset club has retained the services of just one rider, Bjarne Pedersen, from their 2007 team and have bolstered their heat-leader division by recalling Davey Watt from Eastbourne.
Meanwhile, Chris Holder and Karol Zabik made their predicted moves to the Pirate Ship, whilst the acquisitions of Adam Skornicki and Freddie Eriksson came as a surprise to many.
The introduction of Zibi Suchecki is an exciting one, whilst Jordan Frampton’s appointment as the club’s No. 8 is testament to the youngster’s progression over the past couple of years.
Robins’ boss Alun Rossiter always relishes clashes between the two sides and next Thursday’s meeting is no exception. He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing how we fare against the Pirates at Blunsdon.
“I have been very encouraged by what I have seen from the new-look Robins so far and I don’t see any reason why we can’t continue improving as the season goes on.
“Poole have been heavily tipped to land the major silverware this season and that creates an added pressure in itself. We know only too well about that ourselves from last season.
“After the way the lads performed in the home win over Eastbourne, I’m confident of another good showing against the Pirates.”
VISITORS FACTFILE: POOLE CASTLE COVER PIRATES
Freddie ERIKSSON
DOB: 23 April 1981, Stockholm, Sweden.
AS touched upon, the capture of Eriksson’s signature was a surprising aspect of Poole’s winter squad-building process. The experienced Swede began the 2007 season with Oxford, but found himself without a British team after the regrettable demise of the Cowley-based outfit. His vast knowledge of Elite League tracks should mean he quickly elevates himself out of the reserve department and into a second-string role.
Chris HOLDER
DOB: 24 September 1987, Appin, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
THE twenty-year-old Aussie has achieved a breathtaking amount during his short career and is rightly regarded by many as the hottest prospect in world speedway right now. Romped to victory in the five-found Australian Championship and has begun his inaugural Elite campaign very well. Shares a fierce rivalry with Troy Batchelor and the two compatriots will certainly be eager to inflict defeat on one another at the Abbey on Thursday night.
Bjarne PEDERSEN
DOB: 12 July 1978, Ryde, Denmark.
DANISH international, who heads the Pirates again in 2008 and remains loyally committed to the club. The reduction in the points-limit meant Poole were unable to retain their forceful top two of Jason Crump and Pedersen, which subsequently saw the double World Champion go out on loan to Belle Vue. Pedersen again assumes the captain’s role in 2008 and the Grand Prix rider will be aiming for the same consistency level that he has offered the Dorset club in the past few seasons.
Adam SKORNICKI
DOB: 22 October 1976, Wolsztyn, Poland.
ENTERTAINING Polish rider, who made a surprising move to the South Coast club after a steady 2007 campaign with Belle Vue. The experienced Skornicki has made a scintillating start to the 2008 campaign, contributing an array of double-point scores and, in so doing, has silenced those who questioned his position in the Pirates’ line-up. Well known for his flamboyant ‘doughnut’ celebration and is a proven performer at the Abbey.
Zbigniew SUCHECKI
DOB: 21 July 1984, Gorzow, Poland.
YOUNG Polish rider, who caught the eye of many during his debut British season with Ipswich in 2007. Suchecki slips into the Pirates’ reserve department and should continue to make progress in 2008 now that he is familiar with the British tracks. The wide-open spaces of Blunsdon should suit Suchecki, who cut his speedway teeth on the larger Polish circuits.
Davey WATT
DOB: 6 January 1978, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
THE Australian returns to Wimborne Road after spending 2007 on loan at Eastbourne, where he enjoyed a fantastic season. The Queenslander has begun to show the form in the past two years that many in the sport predicted long ago. Watt is popular with Robins’ fans after his heroic guest performance in the Play-Off semi-final last September, when he deputized for the injured Leigh Adams. Will undoubtedly be a major danger man on Thursday and certainly knows the fastest route around Blunsdon.
Karol ZABIK
DOB: 25 October 1986, Torun, Poland.
THE highly-rated Polish youngster has been linked with Poole for several seasons, so it was little surprise when he was announced in the Pirates’ 2008 squad. Zabik’s international performances have been very impressive over the past two or three years and he will be hoping to replicate that sort of form in Britain. Thursday's match-up marks his first visit to Blunsdon and his reputation suggests that he will make an impact on his track debut.
VIP PACKAGES
Swindon Speedway pride themselves in offering one of the best VIP packages in sport, where both the ardent fan and the complete newcomer can enjoy a superb evening of fast and furious entertainment, alongside exclusive pre-meeting pit-walks, and a table in the newly refurbished Legends’ Lounge.
Bookings for these packages have increased year-on-year and already a large number of companies have booked team nights out and meeting sponsorships for the 2008 season. Tickets are available by calling Commercial Manager Paul Oughton on 01305 755607 or via e-mail at: paul.oughton@swindon-speedway.co.uk
TEAMS FOR THURSDAY 27 MARCH, Parade 7.20 p.m.; Tapes-up 7.30 p.m.
SWINDON ROBINS (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Leigh Adams (Captain, 10.30); 2. James Wright (4.73); 3. Troy Batchelor (5.74); 4. Mads Korneliussen (5.18); 5. Travis McGowan (5.34); 6. Theo Pijper (3.70); 7. Seb Alden (3.84). Team manager: Alun Rossiter.
POOLE CASTLE COVER PIRATES (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
(TBC) 1. Bjarne Pedersen (Captain, 9.05); 2. Adam Skornicki (4.89); 3. Davey Watt (8.06); 4. Karol Zabik (5.00); 5. Chris Holder (5.05); 6. Zbigniew Suchecki (3.65); 7. Freddie Eriksson (3.06). Team manager: Neil Middleditch.
Referee: D.E. Robinson.
SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.
SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
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EMAIL: Rbamfordspeedway@aol.com
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