The Evening Star Ipswich Witches were defeated this evening (Thursday 24 July) by the Swindon Robins 49-44 at The Abbey Stadium, Blunsdon.

The Witches were riding the first of three away meetings in five days which would go some way toward defining whether they have any chance of finishing in one of the coveted top two positions in the Elite League table and they lined up with their now customary six man team in the continued absence of Chris Louis.

Swindon, still currently sitting in second place in the Elite League table, tracked their usual top five but fielded two guests at reserve, both of whom represent the Isle of Wight at Premier League level. At number 6 was James Holder the Australian younger brother of Poole’s rising star Chris Holder and partnering him was Krzysztof Stojanowski who performed with credit for the Robins on Monday evening at Foxhall Stadium. The Witches were successful in that meeting by 54-39 and the Robins were looking for quick revenge in a fixture which was of great importance to both teams.

The home side got off to a perfect start with a 5-1 from Leigh Adams and James Wright over Piotr Swiderski and then increased their lead in the reserves race when Krzysztof Stojanowski defeated Chris Schraam with James Holder third. This was after Tobi Kroner had broken the tapes and been forced then to start off a fifteen metre handicap. The Witches managed to draw heat 3 after Mads Korneliussen made a very poor start. Troy Batchelor took the chequered flag ahead of Steve Johnston and Jarek Hampel. The Robins then increased their lead to eight points with a 4-2 from Travis McGowan and Krzysztof Stojanowski over Robert Miskowiak.

Swindon increased their advantage to ten points in heat 5 with Troy Batchelor well clear of Piotr Swiderski with Mads Korneliusen passing Tobi Kroner for third and the Robins pulled even further ahead in the next race courtesy of a second 5-1 for James Wright and Leigh Adams. Ipswich boss Pete Simmons awarded a tactical ride to Jarek Hampel and this proved to be a spectacular success as the Pole won the race and was followed home by captain Steve Johnston for a 8-1 heat advantage. Piotr Swiderski then won his first race of the evening in beating James Wright and Krzysztof Stojanowski which meant that after eight heats Swindon led 29-22.

Tobi Kroner came good to win heat 9 inflicting a first defeat upon Troy Batchelor but with Mads Korneliussen third the points were shared. The Robins extended their lead again in the next race with a win for Leigh Adams over Jarek Hampel with James Wright third. This was after Steve Johnston had crashed into the fence and been excluded from the rerun but thankfully the Australian was able to walk away from the incident. Tobi Kroner gained his second win in heat 11 and with Piotr Swiderski second the Witches closed the gap to five points and then Krzysztof Stojanowski fell in heat 12 and was excluded. In the rerun Jarek Hampel raced away to win but Mads Korneliussen got past Tobi Kroner for second place. This left Swindon 39-36 ahead with three heats remaining.

With Leigh adams due to appear in two of the last three races for the Robins Ipswich were facing an uphill struggle but they kept in touch in heat 13. Although Adams duly won the race an engine failure for Travis McGowan when he was in third place meant the heat ended as a 3-3. Ipswich then just had to get an advantage in the penultimate race but it was not to be with Troy Batchelor finishing well clear from Tobi Kroner and Krzysztof Stojanowski pipping Steve Johnston to seal victory for the home team. The final race  saw Jarek Hampel deny Leigh Adams his maximum but with Troy Batchelor third the meeting ended as a 49-44 win for Swindon.

For the Witches Jarek Hampel scored 15+1 and Piotr Swiderski 10+1 whilst Tobi Kroner continued his good form with 10 from the reserve berth.

Leigh Adams notched 13+1 for Swindon and Troy Batchelor was next best with 12+1.

The Witches now move on tomorrow evening to a tough match at Lakeside where the home team are unbeaten in the Elite League this season although the Witches did win there in the Craven Shield earlier in the season.

Swindon Robins:
Leigh Adams 13+1, James Wright 8+1, Mads Korneliusen 4+1, Troy Batchelor 12+1, Travis McGowan 5, James Holder 1, Krzysztof  Stojanowski 6+1.

Ipswich Witches:
Piotr Swiderski 10+1, Chris Louis rider replacement, Jarek Hampel 15+1, Steve Johnston 4+1, Robert Miskowiak 3+1, Tobi Kroner 10, Chris Schraam 2.