Swindon Robins surprised by rearrangement
6:00am Thursday 18th October 2012 in Latest Sport News By Andy Warren
Swindon Robins boss Alun Rossiter
THE DECISION to restage last night’s washed out Elite League semi-final second leg tomorrow may have taken the Robins management by surprise, but they will not let it disrupt their bid to win their first national title since 1967.
The prospect of heavy rain in Poole yesterday caused Pirates boss Matt Ford to make an early decision to call the meeting off, despite track covers being put down on the Wimborne Road track in a bid to safeguard the meeting.
Robins co-promoter Gary Patchett was told at the beginning of the week the second leg would be restaged on Monday in the event of a rain-off, and was unhappy he was not consulted before plans for tomorrow night were announced by the Pirates.
Fortunately all of the Robins riders are available, and Patchett is now just looking forward to what is sure to be a memorable night.
“I sought clarification on Monday and I was told that if we were rained off on Monday we would stage the meeting on Tuesday, and if last night was cancelled we would run the following Monday,” he said.
“That is what I was told, and it is not a massive issue now because all of our riders are available, but we didn’t know that at the time and it was assumed we would be okay.
“We should have been consulted, but it is not a massive issue and we just want to race now.
“The one benefit to riding on Friday night is that if we do win it, the fans would be able to celebrate the win at the Elite League Riders Championship at Blunsdon the following day.”
Despite yet another disruption, team manager Alun Rossiter is not letting the delay have any impact on his preparation for such a vital meeting, while Linus Eklof will replace the unavailable Kyle Howarth for the home side.
“We will go as we are, because we have been going well recently and we go down there in the driving seat,” he said.
“They are the ones who feel under a little pressure because they have to come back from seven behind.
“I don’t think them having Eklof in for Howarth will make too much of a difference, and we just want to get the meeting on now.”
Comments(4)
jayphotofinish
says...
10:09am Thu 18 Oct 12
I was looking at a wedding reception venue to make forward thinking plans in the event of rain which is at best 75 percent likely so a contingency plan has been put in place for me to take the photo's inside- not rocket science is it.? so studio lights & backdrop as a safety net.
The way forward came unexpectedly to me when driving home from yet another wasted journey from either poole or somerset I think-I used to be the clubs track photographer. Now out of it due to image rights dispute's thanks to the govening bodies who run the sport with zero tolerance & an iron fist. Anyway thats another story it stands out a mile that the fans & many upaid helpers need a voice and should be heard via a consortium of say six who could put there views forward at AGM's, as a cohesive body & voice who's views have to be heard and acted upon.
Play off meeting shouldn't be tacked on & literally watered down at the end of Oct when the weather always closes in available light is lacking so photo's arn't what they could be either.
Speedway should have less meetings, one home one away like fooball, play-offs should be at the millenium stadium on the sunday after the UK GP which would have to be moved back to mid aug.
Less meaningless programme fillers, home meets every fortnight.Squad systems to get the best riders back over here.easier schedule.
Failing that build a purpose made inside track with some of the money that sky provide that anyone can use anytime, no environmental issues there with silencers.Or work with the promotion at say someset where my idea's for covers/drainage which I feel I must keep to myself for the time being could be erected around, aguably the best track in the country. Act now, the fan base is getting older, people have 101 other things that they can do these days. Got to entice new younger fans throught he turnstiles. Thats my way forward. lastly bring out a rival speedway magazine & who knows I might be back too.
oldlegtrailer
says...
1:46pm Thu 18 Oct 12
The rest of the population follow more money orientated sports and always will .
morris 1
says...
6:40pm Thu 18 Oct 12
All we need is three points per race, team riding for second and third place will do fine. Now go and get the silverware
oldlegtrailer says...
8:47am Thu 18 Oct 12
Sorry guys been reading Treasure Island and got carried away!