SWINDON were unable to repeat their away win at Brandon from earlier in the season as Coventry notched a comfortable home win in damp conditions.

Pre-meeting rain and some light showers during the match itself meant gating was of vital importance, and all too often it was the home side who hit the first bend in front, with the Robins limited to three heat wins.

One of those came from Scott Nicholls, who fended off the attentions of Edward Kennett to score a win for six points when taking a tactical ride – but Nicolai Klindt, who was an impressive winner of his second and fourth outings, unfortunately spun and fell on the first bend when he was going for double.

By the time of Nicholls’ win it was largely damage limitation with other Robins’ problems including a fall for skipper Simon Stead in Heat 9, and a tangle between Maciej Janowski and his team-mate Taylor Poole in Heat 12 which resulted in the Pole being disqualified.

Former Robins double-up rider Ryan Fisher scored a paid maximum for the home side, for whom Kenni Larsen also showed up well with three race wins, whilst Nick Morris was a lively reserve.

Klindt and Nicholls were Swindon’s top men by a distance, with Nicholls’ one race win and four second places belying his efforts in close battles with several Bees riders, including Russian ace Emil Sayfutdinov in a spectacular first lap to Heat 15 when the rain was at its heaviest.

COVENTRY 56: Ryan Fisher 11+1, Kenni Larsen 11, Edward Kennett 10, Emil Sayfutdinov 9+1, Nick Morris 8+2, Tyson Burmeister 4+2, Przemek Pawlicki 3.

SWINDON 37: Scott Nicholls 14, Nicolai Klindt 7+1, Simon Stead 4+1, Taylor Poole 4, Maciej Janowski 4, Kenny Ingalls 3+1, Jesper B Monberg 1+1.