Elite League: SWINDON 54 PETERBOROUGH 38

PETERBOROUGH’S Monday night in front of the live TV cameras ended with a 16-point Elite League defeat at Swindon.

Despite the final scoreline they were in contention for a consolation league point for most of the meeting, but ran out of steam in the closing stages with the lack of race winners proving costly.

Skipper Kenneth Bjerre battled gamely for his 11-point score plus there was another decent performance from Dakota North with 9+1, but they had no answer to Robins main Dane Hans Andersen who was undefeated with 15 against his former club – plus Eddie Kennett was unbeaten by an opponent with 10+2.

A Readypower Panther was only first to the chequered flag on four occasions with North twice achieving that feat, whilst Bjerre and Kenni Larsen gained one win apiece.

Luck did go against the visitors in the opening races with falls, retirements and re-starts whilst leading costing likely points, but that said Swindon were a solid side throughout and ended up comfortable winners.

Panthers trailed 22-14 after six races, but Larsen and Norbert Kosciuch then took full-advantage of a Troy Batchelor fall in Heat 7 to record a 4-2 and thus reduce the deficit by two.

But Peter Kildemand and Kennett then put the Robins ten ahead with a 5-1 in Heat 9, and that margin remained when Larsen (tactical ride) finished second behind Andersen in race ten.

Bjerre produced an impressive ride to hold off Batchelor in Heat 11 whilst Ryan Fisher’s third place and ensuing 4-2 kept Panthers hopes of a league point alive.

But those hopes were finally ended with a Robins 4-2 in Heat 13 followed immediately by a Kennett and Ashley Birks maximum in Heat 14.

Andersen completed his full-house in Heat 15 and Bjerre finished on a postive note by just getting the better of Kildemand in a tremendous battle for second place.

Panthers boss Jan Staechmann said: “I have to be honest and say it wasn’t a good performance although one positive was the continued good form of Dakota. He’s started the season very well.

“But it’s back to the drawing board for us really and we need to bounce back with a win in Friday’s return match.”

SWINDON 54: Hans Andersen 15, Edward Kennett 10+2, Peter Kildemand 8+1, Ashley Birks 6+1, Troy Batchelor 6, Nick Morris 6, Kacper Gomolski 3+1.

PETERBOROUGH 38: Kenneth Bjerre 11, Dakota North 9+1, Kenni Larsen 8, Ryan Fisher 4+1, Linus Sundstrom 4+1, Norbert Kosciuch 2, Patrick Hougaard 0.