Swindon rain on Belle Vue’s parade again

IT was not the result Belle Vue were hoping for at the National Speedway Stadium after they were beaten by the Swindon Robins for the second time in 24 hours, this time falling short 35-49.

With the season closing in on its fabled business end the ‘Carpets 4 Less’ Robins were men on a mission in their pursuit of the top four, and their efforts netted them 4 league points in Manchester.

The meeting was abandoned after 14 heats when heavy rain began to pour, compromising conditions and ultimately ensuring the hosts couldn’t deliver their promise to finish with a flourish.

But despite the disappointing loss on home shale, the ‘Rentruck’ Aces remain the Premiership’s No. 1 though there’s plenty of hard work ahead; particularly with their closest rivals bearing down.

Max Fricke said: “A few of the boys were struggling a bit with starts. It’s not something we can put our finger on at the moment, but we have to be frank and say we were beaten fair and square.

“Conditions were the same for everyone and the Swindon boys were really going for it and reaping the rewards for their trouble. We really need to figure out what was going on before the next one.

“There’s no easy meetings at this level. Everyone is after a place in the play-offs and while we’re somewhat comfortably in there at the minute, we need to ensure that that’s where we stay.

“It’s so disappointing and frustrating to lose in front of your home crowd. None of us come here with anything other than a win in our minds so nights like tonight are certainly not what we want.

“But we can’t afford to let our heads drop off the back of this. Losses happen and we have to accept that. The important thing for us now is to regroup and come back stronger next time.”