Leigh Adams collected a flawless eighteen point maximum as Swindon were defeated by thirteen points at in the Knockout Cup quarter Final first leg at Poole.
Wednesday 18th June Knockout Cup Quarter Final First Leg.
Poole 53 – Swindon 40
Swindon must overturn a thirteen point deficit in order to progress to the semi finals of the knockout cup after enduring a tough night in Dorset.
Leigh Adams headed the Robins’ score chart with a sensational eighteen point maximum whilst Mads Korneliussen provided solid support to his majestic skipper by notching up a solid eleven points.
However, Swindon failed to display any sort of strength in depth as the remaining four squad members were only able to contribute a dissapointing eleven points between them.
In contrast, Poole were able to exploit the weaknesses of Alun Rossiter’s men and inspired by a surprisingly hefty paid fourteen point haul from their enigmatic Swedish reserve Daniel Davidsson cruised to victory.
Davidsson’s contribution was matched by Australian wonder kid Chris Holder whose debut Elite league season continues to go from strength to strength.
Workmanlike performances from Davey Watt, Bjarne Pedersen and Adam Skornicki phased out a Swindon attack that never looked like sparking into life.
Both sides went into the meeting with injury problems as Swindon operated rider replacement for fractured elbow victim Troy Batchelor whilst Poole number eight Jordan Frampton deputised for Magnus Zetterstrom.
Swindon made an encouraging start to the contest and held a slender two point advantage in the early stages. However, Poole took the lead with a heat three 5-1 which was quickly followed by an identical result in race four.
That early body blow proved too much for the Robins who were unable to halt the Pirates mid meeting charge from which they constructed a twelve point lead.
Leigh Adams was nominated for a tactical ride in heat eleven and the Australian delivered the goods with a comfortable heat win that slashed three points off the Poole advantage.
Two successive points shares ensued in heats twelve and thirteen as the Robins begun to find their feet. In a final throw of the dice Mads Korneliussen was nominated for a fifteen metre tactical substation ride in the penultimate but the handicap proved too great and the Dane was unable to stamp his authority on the race.
Adams completed his evening with yet another sublime victory in the concluding race but a fourth place finish from Korneliussen meant Swindon were unable to narrow Poole’s thirteen point advantage.
