Swindon welcome the high flying Poole Pirates to Blunsdon on Thursday 7th August  for an Elite League ‘B’ encounter, the outcome of which could prove pivotal in the Robins’ continuing quest for a top two league finish.

The meeting against Poole begins a hectic twenty four hour schedule for the Robins who then travel to Lakeside’s Purfleet raceway on Friday evening.

Swindon will be aiming to get back to winning ways against Poole after losing by a solitary point at Wolverhampton on Monday night.

Poole are enjoying a scintillating run of form that has seen them surge up the Elite league table in recent weeks.

The Pirates track a powerful looking septet that is laced with World class riders including Bjarne Pedersen, Davey Watt and of course the brilliant Chris Holder.

Holder fronts the Poole attack on Thursday evening and his presence at
Blundson is sure to invigorate Swindon’s Troy Batchelor with whom he shares a fierce rivalry.

After a truly sensational Swindon debut on Monday night that saw him plunder a paid twelve points haul Jurica Pavlic assumes the number seven spot.

Thursday’s meeting will be the first opportunity many Robins’ fans  have had to see the Croatian wonder kid in action. Pavlic will take to track during a Thursday afternoon behind closed doors private practice session in order to familiarise himself with the Blunsdon raceway.

It is hoped Troy Batchelor will make a successful return from the sickness bug that has hampered him for a seven day period. The Australian youngster was forced to withdraw from Monday’s meeting at Wolverhampton but has now sought medical advice on the illness.

James Wright rides at number two, Travis McGowan at four and Troy Batchelor at five.

Alun Rossiter is well aware of the threat Poole pose: ’The Pirates have won already at Blunsdon in 2008 and of course they’ll be hoping to replicate that performance on Thursday night.

It will be a night of fantastic action and hard fought racing, the two
previous meetings against Poole at the Abbey Stadium in 2008 have been brilliant.

We must be on top of our game which means all seven riders need to contribute good scores. The defeat on Monday at Wolverhampton was disappointing but that is behind us now and we’re fully focussed on Thursday’s task. 

We need the people of Swindon to turn out in force for this meeting, the
support then can offer us is crucial. It makes a huge difference when the
Swindon riders look out and see a large crowd,  my message to the fans is create a great atmosphere and be our eighth man’

With a large crowd expected fans are being asked to arrive at the Abbey Stadium early.

Swindon Robins Vs Poole Pirates, Thursday 7th August ,Parade 7.20pm Tapes Up 7.30pm Sky Sports Elite League ‘B’

Swindon Robins
1. Leigh Adams (C),
2. James Wright
3. Mads Korneliussen
4. Travis McGowan
5. Troy Batchelor
6. Manuel Hauzinger
7. Jurica Pavlic
Team Manager: Alun Rossiter

Poole  Pirates
1. Chris Holder
2. Magnus Zetterstrom
3. Bjarne Pedersen (C)
4. Adam Skornicki
5. Davey Watt
6. Freddie Eriksson
7. Daniel Davidsson