The meeting started off with the Robins Leigh Adams, currently 2nd in the grand prix series, leading home Scott Nicholls for a shared heat, but the reserves race in heat 2 highlighted the difference between the two sides with the Bees dup of Billy Janniro and Steve Johnston scoring a maximum 5-1.
Some very hard racing was in evidence, especially from the Bees who were very reluctant to concede places where possible, and this was shown in heat 4 where the Bees scored another heat maximum to move 8 points up on the night and 1 point behind the Robins for the bonus.
Sky TV made great play that the Robins were a depleted side, yet both sides were using the rider replacement facility to cover injuries. However in heat 10 the Robins cause was dealt a further blow when in a congested first corner former Bee Lee Richardson was sent sprawling into the air fence. Although he picked himself up to take plart on the re-run, carrying the double points scoring tactical ride, he could not make an impression onto the Bees duo of Scott Nicholls and Billy Janniro as they scored yet another 5-1 heat maximum.
Thereafter the Bees were untroubled, with only Leigh adams and Charlie Gjedde offering resistance.
So with the win of 55 points to 35, along with the bonus, the 3 points took the Bees to the top of the table with tonights match being Swindons final league outing before the play-offs.
Not only is the unbeaten run stretched to 16 Elite League matches, but it alo means that should the Bees successfully negotiate the semi-final then they will have the advantage of having the 2nd leg of the final at Brandon where home track advantage could be a telling factor.
Both semi-finals will be shown simultaneously on Sky sports next monday 17th September.
M | W | D | L | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | AP | Tot | ||
1 | Coventry | 34 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 5 | 1724 | 1371 | 55 | 14 | 69 |
2 | Swindon | 36 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 1851.5 | 1449.5 | 53 | 14 | 67 |
3 | Poole | 34 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 11 | 1675 | 1420 | 43 | 12 | 55 |
4 | Peterborough | 32 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 1552 | 1345 | 43 | 9 | 52 |