Despite a spirited effort Swindon were defeated two points at Eastbourne. With the scores level enetering heat fifteen the Eagles pairing of Scott Nicholls and Edward Kennet collected a 4-2 heat advantage which proved enough to take victory.
Leigh Adams notched up a twelve point haul whilst Seb Alden contributed an impressive 10+2 score from reserve. Saturday 3rd May
Swindon came agonisingly close to collecting their third away victory of the season but were eventually defeated by two points on a night of absorbing Elite League Speedway in Sussex.
The Robins led in the early stages but were slowly pegged back by Eastbourne who had shrewdly constructed a four point advantage by heat ten. Swindon levelled the scores in heat fourteen but were unable to prevent the Eagles from collecting a 4-2 in an action packed concluding race that was laced with passing.
The Robins' score-chart was headed by Leigh Adams and Seb Alden who contributed a hefty paid twenty four points between them. Travis McGowan and Troy Batchelor notched up six points each with both riders enduring falls.
Theo Pijper’s paid three score included a paid win in his first ride whilst Mads Korneliussen and James Wright both had quiet nights compared to recent performances.
British international Scott Nicholls collected victory in the opener courtesy of an impressive getaway that Leigh Adams was unable to match. The Swindon captain passed Lewis Bridger early on but despite a spirited chase was unable to pass Nicholls out front. James Wright relegated Bridger to fourth spot to ensure Swindon collected a points share from the opening heat.
Theo Pijper made a successful return to the Swindon line up in race two as he combined with Seb Alden to register the first heat advantage of the evening. The well worked 5-1 handed the Robins a four point lead after two races.
Travis McGowan eased to a solid victory in heat three as he impressively out paced the Eastbourne duo of Woodward and Richardson, Mads Korneliussen was slow away from the gate and struggled to stamp his authority on the race.
A second successive 3-3 followed in heat four as British youngster Edward Kennet inflicted defeat on the Robins pairing of Batchelor and Alden who occupied the minor placings throughout.
Leigh Adams was the meat in the Eastbourne sandwich in race five as the Eagles narrowed the Swindon lead to two points before a second successive 4-2 for the home side in heat six levelled the scores at 18-18.
Under pressure from Edward Kennet Travis McGowan fell in heat seven and was subsequently excluded. The resultant 4-2 in the Eagles favour handed them the lead.
Alden and Wright ensured a point share in heat eight before Eastbourne turned the screw with their fourth 4-2 of the meeting in race nine which bolstered their advantage to four points.
McGowan and Korneliussen collected a 3-3 in race ten as they slotted in behind a super fast Scott Nicholls whose impressive pace proved too much for the Swindon duo. Adams and Wright slashed the Eastbourne lead to two points in race eleven before a Lee Richardson heat win ensured a points share in race twelve.
Adams romped to victory in heat thirteen in a race that saw Troy Batchelor fall whilst occupying third spot. The resultant 3-3 maintained Eastbourne’s two point lead with just two heats remaining.
A superb race win from Seb Alden and a third spot from Travis McGowan levelled the scores in race fourteen which set up a thrilling finale.
Tension engulfed the stadium before heat fifteen and it was the Swindon pairing of Adams and McGowan who made the better starts. However a brilliant cut back from Scott Nicholls saw the British rider gain the ascendancy and a battling Edward Kennet managed to grab third spot. The 4-2 was enough to hand the Eagles victory by the narrowest of margins
