TABLE-topping Swindon take on second-placed Eastbourne in what is sure to be a pulsating Sky Sports Elite League encounter at the Abbey Stadium on Monday 28 April, starting at 7.30 p.m.
At the time of going to press, the Robins had opened up a 4-point lead at the head of the standings and a win over the Eagles on Monday would put the Wiltshire side firmly in the driving seat.
Supporters are being offered a BUY ONE GET ONE FREE ticketing initiative for the top-of-the-table showdown and, to take up the offer, a form must be downloaded from the club’s official web-site at: www.swindon-speedway.co.uk
In order to encourage a large crowd to the Abbey Stadium, the club is offering the BOGOF offer for adults, concessions and children between the ages of 12-16 (cheapest goes free), as well as under-12’s being admitted FREE if accompanied by an adult.
Should anyone not have internet access, the special BOGOF forms may be collected at the George White Superbikes Open Day on Saturday 26 April.
The completed application form must then be brought along to the Swindon Robins’ turnstiles on Monday 28 April.
Ahead of the crunch clash, team manager Alun Rossiter said: “The lads again showed what they are made of in Thursday’s win over Wolverhampton, when they saw off a late fight-back to complete an 8-point victory and keep us nicely on top of the league table.
“Wolves came back well and, after heat twelve, the scores stood at 37 points each, but successive 5-1s when it really mattered brought us home to the win.
“I was delighted with another good performance and, again, there were points throughout the side.
“Looking towards Monday, the Eagles are a very good team as they have shown this season, so it is going to be another tough match.
“However, everyone has gelled really well for us and the character in the camp is second to none, so I’m confident that we have all the right ingredients to produce another good performance and bag two more league points.”
The new-look Eastbourne side went into the campaign hotly-tipped by many pundits as Championship-winning material and their early-season results have certainly been good.
In the Craven Shield, the East Sussex side finished second to Poole in the same group that also included the Robins, of course.
Meanwhile, in the Elite League, they began with three solid victories at Arlington over Peterborough (59-35), Wolverhampton (53-40) and Belle Vue (50-40), whilst also claiming an excellent 47-43 away success at the Brandon-home of last season’s treble winners, Coventry.
Defeats have come their way at Peterborough, Wolverhampton, Poole and Ipswich, but the make-up of the side suggests that they will have a say in the destination of this year’s major silverware. Indeed, they have not suffered any heavy losses and have never failed to score at least 39 points in a match so far.
At the time this release was compiled, the Eagles were hoping for some good news on reserve James Brundle, who suffered ankle ligament damage in his side’s 52-41 defeat at Poole on Wednesday evening. Should the youngster fail to make it for Monday’s meeting, then the East Sussex side have their No. 8 rider, Brent Werner, on standby. The Robins, meanwhile, will welcome back their No. 8, Cory Gathercole, in place of the injured Theo Pijper.
New interim green sheet averages come into effect for five members of the Swindon side, while Mads Korneliussen remains on his starting figure for the season as he hadn’t completed the requisite 3 home and 3 away meetings prior to Thursday’s victory over Wolverhampton.
VISITORS FACTFILE: EASTBOURNE HAGON SHOCK EAGLES
Lewis BRIDGER
DOB: 4 November 1989, Hastings, Sussex.
THE teenager is now in his third season in Eastbourne colours and remains one of the hottest prospects in world speedway.
Bridger’s versatility is, perhaps, one of his strongest attributes, along with his exciting style and tenacious attitude.
The youngster bagged just 4 points on his last visit to the Abbey in the Craven Shield and will be looking to improve on that tally this time around
James BRUNDLE
DOB: 15 December 1986, King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
BRUNDLE was the final piece of Eastbourne’s team-building jigsaw, joining the club after plying his trade mainly in the Premier League previously.
A fresh start this year with the Eagles has given Brundle the opportunity to establish himself in the Elite League and he will look to find his feet in the reserve position.
Registered 3 points when the East Sussex appeared at Blunsdon on 20 March, his score coming courtesy of a blinding victory in heat two.
Brundle was in the wars in heat two of the Eagles’ Elite League match at Poole on 23 April, when he was unable to avoid the fallen Zbigniew Suchecki and sustained a heavy knock to the ankle.
Simon GUSTAFSSON
DOB: 26 May 1990, Kumla, Sweden.
SON of the legendary Henka, who returned to the Eagles’ camp this season after enjoying a brief spell with the club in the latter part 2007.
The highly-rated, internationally experienced, youngster is expected to do well from the reserve department.
Had a quiet night on his last visit to Swindon in March, scoring just 2 points, and, like Lewis Bridger, will be aiming for a better return on Monday evening.
Edward KENNETT
DOB: 28 August 1986, Hastings, Sussex.
AFTER a season on loan with South Coast rivals Poole, Kennett rejoined his parent club for 2008.
Although his form towards the latter part of last year wasn’t as impressive as his early-season showings, there could be no doubting overall that he had benefited from his year with the Pirates.
Notched 5+1 points on 20 March in the Craven Shield fixture at the Abbey, his efforts including a fine victory in heat four.
Scott NICHOLLS
DOB: 16 May 1978, Ipswich, Suffolk.
NICHOLLS’ transfer from Coventry to Eastbourne was one of the most talked-about moves of the winter months.
The British rider was a casualty of the reduced points-limit and found himself squeezed out by the Bees, who instead opted to keep Chris Harris.
However, the four-times British Champion now forms a potent spearhead for the Eagles alongside former Swindon ace Lee Richardson.
The Ipswich-born rider unfortunately sustained two broken bones in a hand during his side’s excellent victory at Coventry on 31 March, but recently returned to action in the home win over Belle Vue on 19 April.
Lee RICHARDSON
DOB: 25 April 1979, Hastings, Sussex.
FOR the first time in four seasons, Richardson is not wearing a Robins’ race-suit.
And it was with a heavy heart that Swindon fans waved a fond farewell to the Hastings-born racer, who, of course, remains the club’s record signing.
‘Rico’ clearly remembered the fastest route around the Abbey racing strip when he visited with the Eagles in March, his 11+1 points on that occasion being sufficient to top the scoring for his new side.
Cameron WOODWARD
DOB: 8 January 1985, Mildura, Victoria, Australia.
THE Australian youngster returned to the UK from a very productive spell in his homeland and has hit the ground running in 2008.
He has noticeably upped his scoring this year and added strength to the Eagles’ top-end as an excellent second-string ***** third heat-leader.
Woodward is a proven points-scorer at the Abbey Stadium and his ability to use every line Blunsdon has to offer certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Indeed, he tallied 7+1 points when Eastbourne were last in town, his score enhanced by a couple of excellent race wins.
SWINDON MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD
Monday’s Swindon Man of the Match Award is kindly sponsored by Artdeans Motorcycle and Scooter Centre. Artdeans was founded back in 1954 by Mr. Arthur Pullen and has progressed to become an established part of the local community.
Situated on the Rodbourne Road, the company is owned by Andy Cuss and the founder’s grandson, Glynn Pullen, both of whom enjoy supporting the Swindon Robins and, indeed, have in the past been main team sponsors of the Swindon Sprockets.
Artdeans pride themselves in offering a high-quality and friendly service for the biking community in Wiltshire and beyond. For more information, please visit their Rodbourne Road showroom or call 01793 574800. Alternatively, the company’s web-site address is: www.artdeans.co.uk.
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 MONDAY 28 APRIL, Parade 7.20 p.m.; Tapes-up 7.30 p.m.
EASTBOURNE HAGON SHOCK EAGLES (Green sheet averages shown in brackets)
1. Scott Nicholls (9.28); 2. Lewis Bridger (5.23); 3. Lee Richardson (Captain, 9.14); 4. Cameron Woodward (7.11); 5. Edward Kennett (7.56); 6. Simon Gustafsson (4.00); 7. James Brundle or Brent Werner (3.00). Team manager: Trevor Geer.
Referee: R. Allan.
SWINDON ROBINS IN ASSOCIATION WITH TEAM PARTNERS PEBLEY BEACH HYUNDAI, REDCARE LOGISTICS AND A.C. NURDEN LTD.
SIXTY SUCCESSIVE SEASONS AND STILL GOING STRONG!
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE BY ROBERT BAMFORD
SWINDON SPEEDWAY PRESS OFFICER
EMAIL: Rbamfordspeedway@aol.com
TEL: 01666 823469
OFFICIAL CLUB WEBSITE: www.swindon-speedway.co.uk
OFFICIAL CLUB HOTLINE: 09068 664682 (Premium rate applies)
