Beaten Robins set for third

Swindon and Ipswich both lose

Last updated: 22nd September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Beaten Robins set for third

Alden: Broken collarbone (Pic credit Les Aubrey)

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Swindon have all but sealed third place in the Sky Sports Elite League - despite going down to Coventry in an action-packed televised meeting on Monday.

Whilst the third-placed Robins were losing at Brandon, Ipswich - in fourth - where defeated heavily at Peterborough.

The match at Coventry was a close affair for much of the evening, but a couple of controversial refereeing decisions went the way of the home side.

In heat three, Troy Batchelor was excluded after coming under pressure from Chris Harris - a decision which infuriated team boss Alun Rossiter.

That was followed up in heat six when Mads Korneliussen was excluded for a tapes offence after his helmet caught as the start gate rose - but his bike never touched.

Heat seven was the biggest controversy of the evening when Harris fell on the first corner in similar fashion to Batchelor in heat three - but referee Ronnie Allen allowed the Great Britain star back into the re-start.

The meeting as a contest got away from Swindon in heat eight when Seb Alden broke his collarbone as he ran into the back of Olly Allen.

"We think he has done his collarbone, which is not great," Rossiter told Sky Sports 1.

"It is 99 per cent sure he has broken it and that is disappointing with the play-offs coming up but our thoughts are with Seb as he has only just come back from injury and has been doing so well.

"But the referee spoilt the meeting and it was a shame we had to worry about the referee rather than concentrating on the racing."

Without Alden, Swindon were up against it although a tactical 8-1 in heat 11 gave them some hope - but it did not last long as Coventry sealed the win in heat 13.

Hans Andersen was the star of the show for the Bees but he was denied a maximum in the final heat as Leigh Adams claimed his first win over the Dane.

Andersen finished with 12 plus two, whilst Harris grabbed 16 as he enjoyed an extra rider-replacement ride.

Ipswich defeat

Despite their loss Swindon were helped by Ipswich's heavy loss at Peterborough.

Ipswich were never in the meeting at The East of England Showground, managing just four heat wins in total.

Kenneth Bjerre was in wonderful form for the home side as he claimed a paid 15-point maximum.

Indeed Ipswich managed just four wins all evening as their top-two - Polish stars Pitor Swiderski and Jarek Hampel, surprisingly turned in very poor shows as they claimed just 14 points between them with no victories.

Swindon have now finished their league campaign, leaving Ipswich four-points adrift with two matches left.

The Witches will ride both their remaining fixtures on Thursday evening in a double-header against Poole and Coventry.

To finish above Swindon and finish third, Ipswich must win both matches and have a combined winning margin of more than 34 points.

League leaders Poole will host the team finishing fourth, whilst Lakeside will be at home to the team in third. Both one-legged semis will be shown simultaneously live on Sky Sports 1 next Monday.

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