SWINDON’S Elite League improvement continued with a hard fought 47-43 win over play-off chasers Peterborough at the Abbey on Thursday.
It was a tense battle throughout and Jan Staechmann’s men had to hold their nerve as the visitors piled on the pressure in a thrilling Blunsdon battle.
New signing Sergey Darkin, the Russian World Cup rider, played a significant part in the win by winning the penultimate race to notch 7+1 – and Peterborough could only draw from there.
And although Panthers guest Kenneth Bjerre, in for the unavailable Nicki Pedersen, won the last race it was Robins duo Scott Nicholls and Maciej Janowski who packed the minor placings to hold out for a welcome Swindon win to send the fans home happy. Robins gained two league points and Peterborough one for losing by less than 7.
Boss Staechmann hailed the team spirit after seeing the team pick up three league points from two meetings in as many days. He said: "This was a very good all-round team effort, I am very pleased.
"Nicolai (Klindt) was unlucky I thought but Simon Stead put in a very good effort and seems to have overcome his recent niggling problems.
"Sergey Darkin has slotted into the team very easily and the team spirit was once again very good. We are very pleased and would also like to thank the fans for their loyal support."
SWINDON: Scott Nicholls 10, Maciej Janowski 8+2, Simon Stead 7+1, Sergey Darkin 7+1, Jesper B Monberg 6+2, Cory Gathercole 5, Nicolai Klindt 4+1.
